I was able to make a last minute reservation for my family of 5 as there was an issue with the original restaurant we wanted to go to. We came here for my mom's 60th birthday! It was my parents' first time here and our server, Jamie, was the absolute sweetest despite it being so busy and a holiday weekend. Jamie was attentive, so polite, and very transparent about all of the wait times. She told us upfront that some people were waiting awhile for their food, but if we did end up waiting long she offered to talk to her boss to get discounts or free dessert or something. Thankfully, nothing really took long to come to the table! It just came a little out of order which we didn't mind. I told Jamie it was my parents' first time and she gave us recommendations on what to eat and suggested family style so they could try a lot of things. My parents only really stick to what they know (viet food), and it was a slight risk taking them to Nep, but I knew they would enjoy the asian fusion food. My mom is super picky but she really liked it here! Jamie's recommendations were all delicious. We ended up getting the crispy calamari, fish sauce wings, whole branzino, garlic noodles with filet mignon with an add on of shrimp, and the seafood tom kha pasta. Everything was delicious. The calamari was the only thing that was mid though. It wasn't that crispy, kinda soggy and it was one of the last dishes to come out despite it being an appetizer. For drinks we got the tiramisu latte, matcha cloud foam latte, calamansi fizz, and matcha coconut. The calamansi fizz was okay, it was on the stronger side, but it wasn't super sweet or anything special. The non-alcoholic drinks were delicious. My dad loved his tiramisu latte especially with the whole ladyfinger on top and my mom kept sneaking sips of my matcha coconut lol. The restaurant is pretty large so it's quite noisy inside. The only complaint my parents had was that the ambient moody lighting was too dark for them and they couldn't read the menu . It was nice giving my parents the experience to try something new, but still have the asian flavors that they enjoy! My one small small disappointment was that we made the reservation noting it was for a birthday, but didn't get a little dessert or anything special. Overall, I would add this restaurant to my parents' rotation. read more

Big fan of Nep Cafe and the KEI Concepts food group. My family stopped in on a busy Saturday for brunch. This restaurant was at max capacity. We ordered everything from from the beef tongue fried rice, crab toast, banh mi chao, bun bo hue dry noodles, and chicken wings. All of the flavors were on points and we literally finished each dish. The crab toast, bani mi chao and fried rice are must orders if you're here around lunch time. If you're a big coffee fan definitely try their creme brulee coffee, egg coffee, coconut ube coffee. Servers here were attentive and the food came out quickly. I loved the variety of hearty, rich and savory dishes. I feel like each dish was elevated with premium fresh ingredients and flavors. The ambiance here is very bright, warm and inviting. Perfect for small parties to large groups. I'll definitely be back to try their dinner menu. Highly recommend booking in advance even on week days as this is a very popular and gets packed. read more

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Nep Cafe has a modern liveliness to the restaurant! Service was smooth, attentive, and well-paced. Our server was proactive in attending my table's needs and made my friend and I feel extremely valued and well at home! Spicy Wontons (5/5) Started off with the Spicy Wontons and they were a hit right away! The spice and chili gave it a nice kick but didn't overpower the dish. What really stood out was how generously each wonton was packed with beef. They were bold and savory with each bight. Shrimp Garlic Noodles (4.5/5) The noodles were cooked to perfection as they had a nice chewy texture. The shrimp was slightly charred which rounded the dish reall well. There was a very small kick to the garlic noodles, which stood out from tasting like standard buttery noodles in the best way possible. Really enjoyed it! The Crab Curry Omelette (5/5) The curry in this dish brought a warm, aromatic depth to the dish. What I loved about this the most was that the amount of crab was super generous! When you pair it with the rice, it soaked up all the flavor. Pork Tomahawk (5/5) First of all, the presentation of this dish was absolutelye stunning. Beautifully plated, cooked to perfection, and the best part was that it was extremely moist! I get nervous that some pork might be served dry, but this tomahawk was extremely juicy. It had the right amount of fat and the char gave it a nice smoky flavor profile. The honey glaze also gave it a nice subtle sweetness that brought the dish all together. Bana Bread Pudding (5/5) This dish deserves all the awards and hype. It was AMAZING. They bruleed the top of the banana. Absolute genius idea because it was caramelized and torched to perfection. The bread itself was rich and savory with hints of toffee and had a balanced sweetness. The black sesame cornflakes added a nice crunch that elevated the texture. Paired with vanilla ice cream? I'll be eating this over and over again. Pandan Pina Colada (4/5) This was their drink special! The pandan had a nice sweetness to it. You can definitely taste the pineapple and coconut profile mixed with the drink, it was a little treat to sip on while eating dinner. This restaurant has such amazing food with amazing taste and would definitly come back over and over again. read more

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Visited with my sisters for brunch and we grabbed a little bit of everything from the menu to try. Good flavors and delicious bites. Great space. There is no waiting at this location when compared to the Fountain Valley location. Parking was easy also. Please come and create your own adventure. read more

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I'm sooo glad I remembered to write down Paul's name, because he definitely deserves to be recognized. I came with my hangry, old father and my rambunctious toddler son, and Paul (and the entire staff, really) worked hard to bring the food out quickly. Everything was delicious- and they have a good happy hour menu, as well. The ambiance is bright with lots of sunlight, making the experience even better. This is not my favorite restaurant out of this group (shoutout to Ini in Fountain Valley), but I'm impressed with the customer service here. read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Shrimp Garlic Noodle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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My family and I just tried NEP Cafe in Irvine for the first time, and it's already one of our new favorites in Southern California! My goodness--everything we tried was delicious. Our server, Annie, was amazing--so friendly, attentive, and helpful. I went with her recommendation for one of the more unassuming dishes, the curry crab omelette, and wow... it was incredible. The seafood ceviche was super fresh, and the coconut milk with fresh peppers really took it to another level. My daughter ordered the shrimp garlic noodles, and we were all blown away by the flavor. All of the seafood tasted like top quality and perfectly cooked. The ambiance is lively, clean, and comfortable, making it a great spot for a family meal. Thank you, NEP Cafe, for one of the best meals we've had in a while--we'll definitely be back with more family! read more

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Shrimp with the garlic noodles are huge. Crispy calamari is perfect breading. Chicken from com ga roti was a little dry. Wish there was a bigger beef potion for the shaking beef. Interior is beautiful, lots of seating. Service was friendly and attentive. Drinks were phenomenal. read more

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I'm a total fan of all the Kei Concept restaurants. This is my first visit to this location for dinner. I loved the decor of the restaurant and service was excellent. We arrived had just arrived into LA and were starving. Everything we ordered was excellent. I especially liked the curry crab omelette. read more

Currently salivating just thinking about the salmon in the fried rice ‍‍ A bite of salmon starts as a crisp fried edge, then a soft, melt-in-your mouth texture. Crab curry omelette was also very unique and delicious! I went during dinner time so the menu selection was limited, so I look forward to going during happy hour or brunch the next time! read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Curry Crab Omelet - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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I really liked the bar area here. The bartenders were friendly and helpful. The vibe was relaxed, Not as loud as the rest of the restaurant. The drinks were yummy and strong. I highly recommend the broccolini for an app too! read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

So ive heard LOADS about this place and living just around the corner I finally caved in and gave it a try. It looks pretty busy on weekends so I went on a random weekday around brunchtime and the place was relatively empty and quiet. I even got to ask to change my seat to be outside in the sunshine (but there are shaded bits too if youd rather that)! Immediately I was attended to and since i knew what I wanted the whole process was super quick. You see the menu via a qr code on the table. I ordered two appetizers, the crab toast and the seafood ceviche. They both came out SO fast and with such beautiful presentation!! The crab toast was a buttery blend of creamy scrambled eggs and a hearty portion of lump crab with sourdough slices. It was amazing and i boxed half to take home (and enjoying it as i write this). The ceviche was out of this world!! There was a variety of flavors that worked just perfectly together. A nice tropical mango paired with a bit of red pepper spice and then the creamy base - the seafood was snappy and just YUM! While the price keeps me from coming back as soon as Id want, id love to try their other mains and maybe a coffee in the future. Get the price below 7 bucks a pop and im sold!! read more

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This place is a vibe! If you like garlic, this place is your jam. We ordered garlic noodles with shrimp, wonton and spicy chicken wings. All of them were delicious and I have no notes! Service was quick and they made our order pretty fast. Drinks at happy hour looked pretty great but was being a responsible driver. The bathroom needs a little love. Parking is right in front and relatively easy but heard it can get busy here! read more

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Bday dinner for bestie Nep Cafe hits the spot every time. I would highly recommend this exact combo of food we ordered -- garlic noodles (with CRAB), pork tomahawk, and Vietnamese salad with shrimp. The crab melts into the buttery garlic noodles, the tomahawk is cooked to perfection (so tender), and the salad cuts it all with bright, tangy, fresh flavors. read more

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It was our first visit here and Nick helped out us out and was AMAZING! He made our experience a great one by providing us with recommendations for the entire menu. If there is no parking due to the charging cars needing to charge do park across from the restaurant. Upon arrival the hostess outside and inside both were nice peoples too. This made our first impression of how the restaurant was nice and clean feel look to it. It's definitely a go to place to try. Their drinks, food, and desserts are delicious! Definitely a place to try and come back again! read more

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NEP does it again! Now just in Irvine instead of fountain Valley. The service was amazing, but I had to make sure to reserve a spot for a weekend lunch since it was packed when we arrived. The service was quick, efficient, and we were checked on consistently throughout the meal. The interior is a bit busy, but it makes send and it flowed well. The food was delicious. No other statement or review needed. Savory, great blend of flavors for the fried rice. The pork was tender and juicy. The drinks were a little under the food standard, but a nice refreshment overall. I need to come and try their other dishes if I have the chance. read more

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Of all the kei concepts restaurants, I would have to say that this and INI are my absolute favorites. For this restaurant, they stay very true to the Vietnamese flavors while adding a new twist to the presentation, to the execution, and the overall interpretation of Vietnamese food. The interior is very modern very fresh and very clean which I like. The food is presented in a very modern well still having those authentic flavors. I love the garlic noodles and I love their mango and squid salad. Their cocktails are also very creative and tasty. The service is always on point. Always attentive, always close by and responsive. I usually stop by this restaurant when I'm vacationing down south from NorCal. It's always on my list of things to do. read more

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We came as a group for a brunch get-together and arrived around 10:30 with a reservation. We started with mimosas and I believe everyone tried something different from the menu. I went for the Garlic Noodles with Crab. I usually lean toward savory dishes, so this one caught my eye. The crab on its own was mild, but mixed with the noodles it made a nice combination. The dish had more spice than I expected, not too overwhelming, but enough to clear your sinuses. The servers were very attentive, checking in and refilling waters throughout our meal. The menu is unique, with a nice mix of flavors and creative fusion dishes. This is one of the few restaurants from Kei Concepts I've tried. If you're into modern Vietnamese dining, it's worth checking out. read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Crab Garlic Noodle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Continues to be a solid spot. Would get again: Egg coffee Banh mi filet mignon Beef belly rice bowl Shrimp salad Okay but would skip: Banh mi beef belly Shrimp fried rice Staff and service continues to be solid. The banh mi were not as good as last time though. Too hard and seemed overcooked. A little disappointing but willing to try again and hoping it was just an off day. Ambiance continues to be clean and nice read more

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Nep Cafe never disappoints. We went on a Saturday afternoon and were expecting a long wait, but we were seated pretty quickly, which was already a great start. I ordered the banh mi chao -- amazing per usual -- but switched it up this time and got the beef belly instead of the filet just to try something different. It was so worth it. The beef belly was rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, pairing so well with the eggs and crispy baguette. It's one of those dishes that's comforting but still feels elevated. We also got the xoi man, which was really good -- great texture, well-seasoned, and super satisfying. The coconut matchas were an absolute essential. Hands down the best matcha drinks I've had compared to other spots. Smooth, not overly sweet, and the coconut flavor blended perfectly without overpowering the matcha. For dessert, we got the banana bread pudding and the frozen yogurt parfait. Both were excellent. The bread pudding was warm and indulgent, while the parfait was lighter and refreshing -- the perfect way to end the meal. Service was excellent, and our server Paul was very attentive and friendly. He checked in at the right times and made sure everything came out smoothly. Between the short wait, amazing food, standout drinks, and great service, Nep Cafe continues to be a 5-star spot for me. I'll definitely be back. read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Frozen yogurt parfait + Banana Bread Pudding - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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We had a wonderful experience at Nep Cafe today! The food was delicious, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. A special thank you to James for his outstanding service. He was incredibly attentive, friendly, and thoughtful throughout our visit. At one point, our little one started crying because she wanted to drink from the adults' beverages. Before we even had a chance to ask, James kindly brought her a juice box made just for kids. It was such a small gesture, but it meant so much to us and truly showed how much he cares about his guests. Thank you, James, for making our visit extra special. We will definitely be back and highly recommend Nep Cafe to our family and friends! read more

We tried several dishes from the menu and shared everything family-style. The chicken wings and spicy dumplings were my favorites! The bread pudding topped with glazed bananas was absolutely delicious and worth another visit on its own. The restaurant is spacious, with a beautiful bar area, attentive service, and a modern, clean atmosphere. Definitely a place I'd return to. read more

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I went to NEP Cafe on a Tuesday night and the wait was not long. I ordered the Seafood Tom Kha Pasta and I absolutely loved it. The Tom Kha flavor was strong. There was a sour and savory taste that you find in a good Tom Kha. The seafood consisted of shrimp, calamari, and scallops that were cooked very well. I would definitely get this dish again. NEP Cafe has a beautiful interior and is very clean. Our waitress was very nice and made sure to check if we had allergies. read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Seafood Tom Kha Pasta - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

We found NEP as we were leaving Irvine after visiting family, and honestly, the convenience alone was a win. It even has a Tesla charger of course we took advantage and did both . I always forget how good the food is in the OC... wow. This was such a great surprise. I loved the calamari, the crispy (but not too crispy) jalapeños, and the ribeye fried rice which was both light and hearty, with a nice lemongrass flavor that really stood out. Sadly, I didn't get to enjoy a drink this time, but definitely next visit because now I know exactly where to eat when I'm back in Irvine . See y'all soon, thanks! read more

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A disaster for our Valentine's Day brunch celebration. We were getting blown by super cold wind at our seat after 15min into our meal. We sat right next to this exit door and servers had to open it as they go out to deliver. We dint realize it until our order in. Major flaw for our reservation. I wanted to change seat but we already ordered food and everything Brunch menus is leaning more lunch menu. I don't think I'm coming for brunch again. Our pasta didn't have much portion of protein but the deconstructed Bánh mì Filet mignon had so much beef had so much beef and tiny tiny tomato. The ratio of vegetable to protein here is very odd and uneven. Food was fusion of western and Vietnamese. When I'm browsing the menu, mostly beef crab seafood but not fish so mostly high cholesterol options. If you're into chicken, there only some egg dish Ambience was chic but so freaking cold during March. Especially left side of the restaurant. Can't imagine winter time. This is maybe a summer dinner option. read more

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Ambiance..love the decor and pretty big place. They take reservations. Service ..fast and friendly. Food..amazing..loved the brocclini..lemongrass with tofu and butter noodles. I also got the sea salt Vietnamese coffee. Plenty of food and loved the flavors. The coffee was not bitter either. Get chillies oil. read more

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Nếp is a restaurant that serves delicious Vietnamese fusion dishes, including chicken wings, calamari, and garlic noodles with shrimp. As far as I know, they have two locations. I've been to the FV location a few times, but this was my first visit to this location, and I actually liked it more because of their excellent service. I ordered two of my favorite dishes at Nếp: crab toast and bánh mì chảo. The food was similar to the FV location. The ube café was good, although the flavor was a bit strong for me. The restaurant has great vibes and feels less noisy compared to the FV location. The staff were very friendly, helpful, and quick, making the dining experience truly enjoyable ! read more

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My favorite item: Tom Kha pasta, hands down. Whoever thought of this is a genius. Pho hot pot was a little lacking in flavor but the concept was another genius move, esp with unlimited broth. Drinks were amazing, sorry it's been too long I've forgotten what I ordered lol, which just means it's time to go back. read more

The plaza NEP Cafe is in is pretty big, so parking was not an issue. We made reservations for a Friday and were immediately sat. I loveee the atmosphere of NEP!! The decorations were really nice and everything seemed put together. Our server was also super nice! We got the Crispy Calamari, Salted Egg Yolk Pasta, and Shrimp Garlic noodles. Everything was so delicious, and I would come back to try other things on their menu! NEP Cafe definitely lives up to the hype. read more

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We made a reservation and it was a smooth experience. Menu has a good variety of drinks and food, though definitely a bit on the pricier side for what it is ($26 bo luc lac sounds kinda crazy but to be fair I didn't try it so maybe there's something I'm missing). I am a fan of their calamansi drinks. The ambiance was nice, dim lighting and dark colors made it feel up-scale. Parking was not an issue at all since it's located in a pretty big plaza. Service was great! Something to note: They will celebrate your birthday with ice cream on the house :) read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Seafood Tom Kha Pasta (bottom), Shrimp Garlic Noodle(top), sugarcane calamansi, calamansi peach (with mint) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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Parking can be a little bit of a pain during dining hours so plan accordingly. Good looking and modern restaurant. Good size and can accommodate small to large parties. Great professional service. We had a lot going on at our table, drinks and food, and our server was patient and accommodating. Great selection and quality of food. We were able to try all their popular items thanks to a large table of eaters. Everything came out beautifully and tasted amazing. Hard to pick out standouts since everything was really good, but the pork tomahawk and beef carpaccio were my favorites. I'd definitely recommend trying to get a group of people to go so you can try a variety of dishes. Recommended! read more

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Wow! You definitely want to come with a group so that you can do family style and sample a few different dishes. The Seafood Tom Kha Pasta was the best thing on their brunch menu! The flavors were incredible- savory and tangy and it literally all explodes in your mouth. We ended up dipping everything into the pasta sauce and even ended up tossing the crab garlic noodles into the sauce. Everything was honestly really good! The wontons really surprised me. The sauce they coat the wontons in is flavorful and not too over powering. I love how they also serve sticky rice with the curry crab omelette. Goes really well together. Service was great and staff was friendly. Great spot for brunch or dinner. read more

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It's a Vietnamese fusion restaurant that blends modern flavors while still keeping the authentic essence of Vietnamese cuisine. The dishes are unique, flavorful, and beautifully balanced between traditional and contemporary styles. What impressed me the most was the service. Everyone was incredibly friendly and attentive. From my experience dining at many Vietnamese restaurants, servers usually take your order and rarely check back afterward. But this restaurant was completely different -- the staff constantly checked in, made sure everything was okay, and genuinely cared about the customers. It made the whole dining experience feel warm and welcoming. They serving Branch And happy hours is good deal read more

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NEP Cafe is big on flavors and Vietnamese Fusion. Ordered the following: 1. Shrimp Garlic Noodles - the shrimp was juicy and tasty, the noodles were cold but flavorful Enjoyed the ambiance. The prices are a little more premium but that quality you can see and taste! read more

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This is one of more unique restaurants with a great fusion of flavors and great ambiance. It helps if you are able to plan ahead and make reservations as busy days you're looking to wait about 40 minutes or so to be seated. NEP is part of the Kei Concepts restaurants and they definitely do not disappoint! They take your usual dishes and elevate them to give their unique taste and overall experience. I always like bringing people who are out of town to try this restaurant and all my guests always leave happy! We got The Dao and Shrimp egg roll as appetizer. First time I had it, I was unaware of the poached egg at the bottom so be sure to stir it up before spreading it on the toast! Nice fluffy potato with a just the right amount of truffle flavor. The shrimp had a nice crispy skin and when you wrap it with the lettuce and herbs with a touch of the sauce it comes with, it is an explosion of flavors on that bite. For Entree got the belly beef banh mi chao, 5 spice roasted chicken, shrimp garlic noodles. They all had great flavors and meat were all nice and tender. For drinks, got the marble coffee, coconut ube coffee and Vietnamese milk coffee. They all had the strong kick of Vietnamese coffee but still having the undernote of the flavored ube or milk coming through. Service is great, the servers were very attentive, frequently filling up our water cups and ensuring food was to our satisfaction. Definitely be sure to give them a try! read more

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We've been coming to Nep almost every month and we had to bring my family to show them the amazing food! Food was 10/10! We had the beef belly banh mi, crab curry omelette, ribeye fried rice, and spicy wontons. What really topped it off was our server, James! He was an amazing server and made it such a memorable experience. I'm happy I trusted his judgement on what to order. It was lively and busy during lunch on Saturday, I'm glad we got a table under the skylight and with James! read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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Went here with friends who come regularly. We tried about 15 different dishes including all 4 desserts on the menu. We only got pics of the desserts because we were so excited to eat. Highlights: squid mango salad, branzino, crab omelet, shaking beef. But really all the food was delicious. The orange and passion fruit yogurt was SO good, in fact I think some of the other things in the parfait took away from it. Banana dessert was also a fav. Have had much better mango sticky rice elsewhere. Our friend told us that every year the restaurant shuts down for a month so the chefs can travel the world to get ideas for their next menu. I'm excited to try their other restaurants Our server Jayden was pretty good. Seemed like they might have been short staffed Only complain lt is the order that the food came out. Dishes came out as they were ready but we ordered a few apps and the fish was the first dish out. Prices are reasonable. This is in a large plaza so there's plenty of parking read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Banana Bread Pudding, orange and passion fruit yogurt parfait, Mango Sticky Rice, Sweet Custard Sticky Rice - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Very creative and tasteful. Will definitely be back for the tom cha pasta. My daughter loved the bang mi chai. I was disappointed there was no refill for the ice tea. Very small glass of tea that I finished before the food came read more

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A great last meal before my flight back to SF! Such a good brunch spot and place to socialize. The Bahn Mi Chan - Beef Belly was delicious and the bread it comes with is sooo good! Be careful since it comes out in a hot plate. I'd love to come back and try their noodles! Service was also quick and we were seated right away on a Sunday around 12:30. It was still pretty packed! read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Banh Mi Chao - Beef Belly - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Very efficient service, food got out in 5-10 mins of ordering. Highlights were the fried rice and the viet salad. Loved the creative drinks as well. Great place to meet up for brunch! Spacious interior and plenty of parking in this shopping center read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Strawberry Yogurt Matcha, Mango Sticky Rice Matcha, Wildberry Matcha Latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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This place feels luxurious! The design is really clean. There's a bar with seating at its center and tables all across the restaurant. A little pricey, but great service and fast serving time. The mango sticky rice is melt-in-your-mouth delicious, with ripe mango, possibly pandan flavored rice, coconut bits, and krispy thingies. Yum! read more

NEP Cafe - Irvine - Mango Sticky Rice - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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