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Establishment is busy, clean and spacious. Staff was professional and courteous. Nep is consistent and continues to deliver! We ordered: 1. Seafood ceviche: fresh, fragrant 2. Squid and mango salad: 3. Chicken wings: crispy, delicious 4. Crab toast: crispy, rich 5. Filet mignon Banh Mi Chao: beefy and rich 6. Curry crab omelet: mild heat, rich crab 7. Seafood Tom Kha pasta: aromatic, fresh 8. Coconut matcha: excellent Everything was fresh and excellent, all great choices. TLDR: Excellent service, excellent food, excellent establishment, great value. Would recommend!
I've been to NEP before, but that was years ago at the FV location. Their newer-ish location at Irvine is definitely more spacious. Food and drink-wise, everything was great! My girlies and I ordered: -Seafood Tom Kha Pasta -Crab Toast -Dry Bun Bo Hue noodles -Mango Sticky Rice (was complimentary and on the house because the restaurant took a bit long with our drink orders) Pretty sure we all died and went to heaven briefly as soon as we got everything delivered to the table. Service-wise, I do appreciate the active accountability and communication from this establishment. Because the drinks took some time to arrive, the manager came to our table himself to explain and acknowledge that the delay shouldn't have happened to begin with (this is when he mentioned we'd get a mango sticky rice on the house). Was honestly unexpected because 1. We didn't even flag a server down for that issue yet and 2. Some managers refuse to even come out to talk to their clientele lol! Especially during times where communication is needed. Overall, my girlies and I enjoyed our experience at the Irvine NEP and we will be coming back. Thank you so much for taking care of us. :-)
I'm an advocate of kei concepts but I realize that their menu differs only slightly across the different chains, so it's not a place you should regularly frequent! I tend to save them for special occasions or when family & friends are visiting. My go-to dishes are their banh mi chao, garlic noodles, & lemongrass tofu. We tried a few new items so here are my honest thoughts: - Spicy wontons - insanely spicy!! even with a high spice tolerance, my parents thought it was too much, prefer DTF's version - Shrimp fried rice - so much rice, not enough shrimp. you can tell they use the big shrimp & cut it into smaller pcs... - Lemongrass tofu - love but needs veggies or lettuce on the side! also would be less heavy with regular white rice instead of sticky rice Although Nep Cafe will always be a fave, there are still some things they could improve!
Ordered the Seafood Tom Kha Pasta to-go around dinner time on a Saturday and got the dish in about 15-20 minutes. The restaurant was busy and large. It was nice seeing a diverse group of people coming in. The restaurant feels casual, but has nice decor and the energy is lively. The hostess I spoke to and ordered with was very sweet. Took the pasta home and it was delicious! Definitely recommend and would come back for it. Note: the Irvine DOES NOT have the crab toast on the menu (currently), which I wish it did because I would like to try it.
I haven't been to Nep in years and the last time I went was the FV location but this was our first time at the Irvine one! I can't review the tom Ka pasta because my father in law had that one for lunch but the other 3 dishes were pretty decent. Banh mi chao= 2/5 I have had this in the past and it's been great the FV location previously. It fell very short on today's visit. Our meat had no char it almost felt boiled lol. The tomatoes were also just thrown in the pan and it was not charred at all as well. Pate was SOOOO little as well. Honestly, the pan didn't really even come sizzling hot which was a disappointment for $22 5-spice chicken and rice= 4/5 chicken was juicy, flavorful, crispy! Loved the sticky rice that was given as well. Not a big fan of their dipping sauce though Squid and mango salad= 4/5 this was super super tasty but our sesame rice cracker was a bit stale. Wish it was slightly crispier. The sauce was great but I feel like there was too much herb to mango ratio in the salad. Needs to be better balance Overall, probably wouldn't come back to eat the food but would take someone here for socializing/drinks! Service was good and ambiance is nice for a younger crowd.
The food was great, it was fulfilling and flavorful. There were a variety of dishes to choose from! The service was great, friendly , easy and fast! The staff constantly checked on us if we're doing okay. I must say the ambiance of this place was amazing , it's clean , simple and spacious! It's great for friends and families gatherings!
I've been to Nep several times before, and I just came back a day or two ago with my family. The service is always good. Their coffee drinks were still delicious and on-point. My go-to is the Egg Coffee, but I wanted to try something different and got the Tiramisu Coffee. Whenever I come here, I know the drinks are going to be good. My kids loved their garlic butter noodles, French fries, and chicken wings. My husband and I didn't want an entree this time around, so we ordered a bunch of appetizers and shared them together: Seafood Ceviche, Spicy Wontons, Crab Toast and Chicken Wings. Sadly, the crab toast was just okay. I remember it having more crab, so maybe they modified the recipe? Everything else was satisfying.
I'd consider this an upscale Vietnamese restaurant. This is the perfect place to have brunch with friends and catch up. They have great drinks; both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. I ate the 5 spice roasted chicken and I'd say the tenderness of the meat definitely stood out. Our server was super friendly as well, and she did a great job checking in on us.
Great first time experience! Was told about this place before, so I was glad when friends suggested meeting here. Very spacious and open, staff here were friendly and helpful. They also seemed really organized, even clearing the table efficiently & professionally! Very tasty dishes - everything had a rich flavor with each bite, without overpowering your taste buds. You could taste the various ingredients distinctly too, which made me feel like everything was very fresh. Unique brunch menu, I didn't expect the creativity in each dish we ordered! I loved the curry crab omelet, lots of flavor, and the seafood ceviche, very refreshing with a light coconut lime dressing. Will definitely be back again when I'm in the Irvine area...looking forward to trying out more items! Another plus for me was how careful they were about not cross-contaminating foods, as I have food allergies. Thanks for that! :)
Seated after a 5 min wait for lunch on the weekend! Great service and a bright sunny ambiance. For food, everything was good and well presented but a little pricey for what it was. - Crab toast: very mild and creamy flavor, loved the toasted sourdough. - Xoi man: highly recommended by our server. Sticky rice with assorted toppings, lots of Chinese flavors on this. - Seafood tom kha pasta: my personal favorite out of everything we ordered. Strong flavors and interesting take with the pasta noodles. I've heard great things about the disassembled banh mi, will have to try that next time.
This review is for NEP Cafe's happy hour. From Monday through Friday, 2 PM to 5 PM, you can experience some of their popular appetizers at a discounted price. I'm not sure if it's the regular size or if it's smaller, but it is a decent amount for each dish. The offerings from the happy hour menu is limited with just a few items. We ordered the spicy wontons with the sauce on the side, chicken wings, shrimp and garlic noodles. The wings were full of flavor and oh so delicious! The shrimp and garlic noodles were cooked to perfection and packed with so much flavor. Shrimps were succulent and noodles were bouncy and chewy. So helpful that there's complimentary mouthwash in the bathroom. Since we felt like having some vegetables, we also ordered the broccolini and the cabbage shrimp salad from the regular lunch menu. My favorite entree during this outing was the shredded cabbage shrimp salad. It was a good amount which filled us up. It's so light and refreshing and we didn't feel guilty eating it. If you like salad, don't sleep on this dish! Our server was friendly but she wasn't as attentive so we had to ask for help from other servers passing by. We arrived near the end of the happy hour, but came just in time to put in one round of drinks, which was lychee martini cocktail and wine. Most of the tables in the bar area were full, but plenty of spaces available at the bar. Will return for another round with some other friends in the future!
Delicious fusion food and fair portion sizes! The pasta wasn't bad, but I think their Ini location does them better. Overall very appropriate for brunch/lunch. We left feeling full. Drinks are all a treat as well, as they tend on the sweeter side and can be a bit pricey for what they are. There is also a limited Happy Hour menu. Staff was kind and checked in on us frequently. Casual modern interior with some outdoor patio seating as well. Good for small and large groups alike. Plenty of parking out front.
We booked on open table for brunch and were sat down immediately. The server was very nice and attentive to detail when explaining the menu. Marble coffee is really sweet so I would ask for a sugar adjustment!
5 months ago
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Heather,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Joyce,…
2 months ago
NEP Cafe Irvine never disappoints! The restaurant has a beautiful modern atmosphere that feels trendy yet welcoming, making it a great place for brunch, lunch, or dinner with friends and family. For this visit, I ordered the Salmon Garlic Noodles and Bánh Mì Chảo, and both dishes were outstanding. The Salmon Garlic Noodles were packed with flavor, featuring perfectly cooked salmon paired with rich, buttery garlic noodles that were incredibly satisfying. The balance of savory flavors made it a dish I would gladly order again. The Bánh Mì Chảo was another highlight. Everything arrived sizzling hot, and the combination of meats, eggs, and bread created the perfect comfort meal. The bread was great for dipping into the flavorful sauce, and every bite was delicious and hearty. Beyond the food, the ambiance was stylish and lively without feeling overwhelming. The restaurant's modern design and attention to detail make it a great spot for both dining and photos. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made the experience even more enjoyable. Between the delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, and excellent service, NEP Cafe continues to be one of my favorite Vietnamese fusion restaurants in Orange County. I'll definitely be back for the Salmon Garlic Noodles again! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Ann Ne,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Vivian,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Danny,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Ellen,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Nancy,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Caes,…
2 months ago
Made reservations for brunch. According to our server, Nep is more known for their brunch instead of dinner. Similar ambiance to the other Kei Concept restaurants, but this one is modern Vietnamese food. Ordered the crab toast, filet mignon banh mi chao, & shrimp garlic noodles. Everything was so flavorful! The crab toast had a good amount of crab & it was mixed with soft scrambled eggs. The banh mi chao is basically a deconstructed banh mi & they give you the baguette on the side to dip into it. The garlic noodles is the same as the one at Vox, which is another Kei Concept restaurant. I also ordered the crème brûlée coffee. It was rich & creamy, but the Vietnamese coffee was definitely STRONG! Warning for those who are sensitive to caffeine. Overall a good first experience here. The restaurant itself is pretty spacious, yummy food, & good vibes! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Angerica,…
24 days ago
The food here is top tier! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and exceeded my expectations. The service was amazing, and everyone was so friendly and welcoming. I also loved how spacious and comfortable the restaurant is--it made for a great dining experience. I'll definitely be coming back! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Yasmine,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Tess,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Dar,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Rue,…
2 months ago
Came on a Sunday morning and got seated right away. Parking was a bit tight but space inside was roomy and clean. Staff were friendly and helpful. Food: - Xoi Chien: easy to share, pate had nice flavor - Curry Crab Omelet: chunks of crab was nice overall nothing too notable read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Britney,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Dawn,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Rakhi,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Emi,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Vivian,…
3 days ago
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Jenny,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Amy,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Angela,…
26 days ago
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Alexandria,…
1 month ago
We decided to celebrate our nieces birthday her at Nep during the lunch hour on a Sunday. My wife made reservations and once we arrived we were seated quickly. Paul our host was great and brought us some waters and I ordered a cocktail which was the Pandan old fashioned (best old fashioned I've had in a long time, the Pandan flavor at the end of every sip was great) we ordered some appetizers the dao and the wings both were good and my wife and niece ordered some of their special iced coffee. I ordered the Bun Bo dry noodle dish which was so delicious I have never had anything like that before the beef belly was soooo good the sauce and other meats were great. My wife had the tom kha seafood pasta and it was soooo good too, our niece ordered the bahn mi plate and that was great as well. At the end our meal we were greatly satisfied. The restaurant was very well presented, clean and had a great ambiance. Will come again for sure!!! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Michael,…
Wow.. why am I just now trying this place... wanted to see what the hype has been about.. finally seeing it. Came here with someone who frequents this place so everything we ordered was spot on and delicious. That branzino wrap set is amazing.. the non alcoholic drinks were good (cant wait to try the coffees and cocktails next time).. the Vietnamese shrimp salad was surprisingly my personal favorite. So fresh, clean, yet still flavorful. I love that the portions are decently sized, especially the entree. The bread pudding was also so surprisingly good. Kicking myself for not having tried this place sooner!!! Can't wait to come back and try the brunch and coffee!!! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Yuna,…
Kei Concepts does Asian Fusion well and Nep Cafe is no exception. We ordered several items to try, but my personal favorite would be the Seafood Tom Kha Pasta. It's a blast of intense flavor. I would pass on the Bun Bo Hue Dry Noodles. The execution was excellent, but because of its dry format I found it inferior to an actual bowl of bun bo hue. Desserts were great! I liked both the Mango Sticky Rice and Banana Bread Pudding. Service was fantastic. We were seated promptly and our server was attentive despite how busy they were. Ambiance is great too. The decorations were beautiful. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Tracey,…
Trendy, casual Kei Concepts brunch spot that came highly recommended by locals. Tons of ppl waiting, opted for a table outside. We tried the following: - Egg Coffee with Salted Egg Yolk (very nice, although very sweet) - Banh Mi Chao Beef Belly - Banh Mi Chao Filet Mignon - Broccolini Everything was a hit--food, decor, service--which left us with a lasting impression. Now we know why our friends come here all the time. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
James,…
8 months ago
Fantastic Vietnamese brunch! Everything was delicious and I can't wait to come back and try more menu items. The egg coffee was strong, creamy, and perfectly balanced. The beef belly/brisket skillet was unctious and savory -- I loved all the different components and being able to build a perfect bite each time! From the smooth pate to the tender beef, runny eggs, and crispy and fluffy baguette, such a great start to the day. The crispy sticky rice was very tasty and the egg was a great accompaniment, but do keep in mind the rice loves to get stuck in your teeth LOL. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Constance,…
8 months ago
Came here for my birthday with my parents and absolutely loved everythinggggggg. I have no other words, but you definitely need to visit this place ASAP! I've only been here once before, but it is good every time. Everything was so delicious and extremely flavorful absolutely 10 out of 10 with no notes. Took pictures of everything we ate but I pretty much recommend every single dish or drink. The parking is in a shared lot with other stores and a Tesla charging station so be warned lol. It gets pretty loud inside with the music and everyone talking so if you're looking for a quiet vibe, this might not be it for you. However, everyone here is so nice and always on top of it so that definitely makes up for it! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Gardenia,…
7 months ago
My first time for lunch on a Saturday and the wait was minimal for 8 people. Service good but could be better. Dishes were prompt but because one person had a nut alert they kept leaving the nuts out of my entrees. I tried the Xoi Chien (crispy rice) and the server described it as delicious if you like different textures. I must because I loved this dish and would cone back for it. I also tried appetizers of Chicken Wings, Calamari, and Broccolini- all very good. I would say the appetizers are a good size portion for a party of two. We were 8 and ordered double and it was small portions for the price. The coffee drinks looked amazing and I ordered the Wildberry Matcha Latte and it did not disappoint. Finally the Mango Sticky Rice was yummy as expected. It did get very busy and the ambiance felt rushed. But the food was excellent and the service good enough. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Shirley,…
This is my first time at this location. I've dined at the NEP in Fountain Valley which is far from me. I was happy to see there was one close by. it is in a lot with many other restaurants and shops-- parking can get hectic, but it wasn't too bad. I came for a birthday dinner. The ambiance was casual and relaxed. We were seated and greeted promptly. The food was amazing. The steak had a lot of complex flavors that all worked together. You can definitely taste the vietnamese influence. The dumplings were a little too spicy for me. Garlic noodles were great. Drinks were strong and delicious. The espresso martini was super strong. Banana bread pudding was one of the best parts of the meal. Will definitely come back! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Erin,…
We somehow ended up visiting twice in a 2 week period, lol, so I'm going to split my review up since both visits were quite different. Friday brunch review: I thought we were going to be able to beat the crowd, but I was wrong LOL. It was packed! Luckily, we were able to get seated after a short 15-20 minute wait. We got seated near the bar at a high-top table. It took a while for our orders to be taken, but after that food came out relatively quickly. I got the roasted chicken congee and my husband got the beef belly rice bowl. At first, I was appalled by the $19 price tag for the congee, but after it came out, I could see why. It definitely is big enough to feed 2 people. There was SO much congee, and my chicken piece was HUGE! The congee was flavorful, but not overpowering, which paired with the chicken very well. My husband's beef belly rice bowl reminded me of a Vietnamese version of bibimbap, lol. The beef belly was tender and it was a delicious, balanced dish. ---------------------------------------------------- Thursday dinner review: Compared to Friday brunch, the crowd was much thinner for Thursday dinner. Half the restaurant seemed empty and we were able to get seated immediately. For dinner, we ordered the calamansi white peach, crispy calamari, Vietnamese shaking beef, and seafood tom kha pasta. Our drink was refreshing, not too sweet, and I did like the citrusy flavor and carbonation. My tom kha pasta came out REALLY fast (weirdly fast?). It came out so fast that it made it awkward how long we had to wait for the other dishes to come out (15+ minutes). Also, parts of the pasta tasted lukewarm.. not sure if it was sitting out for a while, or if they rinsed the pasta with cold water and served it immediately lol. And while I appreciate al dente, it definitely was leaning towards undercooked. The flavor of the sauce was good though. The crispy calamari was fine. The calamari at INI is better though. I like that the jalapenos gave it a nice kick, but there was SO much breading. I felt like I was eating more batter than calamari and it made the dish overly heavy. The flavor of the shaking beef was really good, but some pieces of beef were exceptionally tender, and others were so chewy that it made it difficult to eat. The rice was also slightly soggy and a little underwhelming in terms of flavor. Despite our subpar food experience, the highlight of our night was our server Mia. She was so sweet and attentive and handled all of the kitchen mishaps with grace. She came by multiple times to ask us how we were doing, gave us numerous status updates regarding our food, and apologized for the delay from the kitchen. Her service was on par with a fine dining restaurant and without her superb customer service, our dinner experience would have been completely soured. Overall, I do like the unique dishes and offerings here. Both food and service are a hit or a miss depending on the day (from our experiences) but I would come back. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Jenny,…
I've been NEP Cafe in Irvine a few times now, but only now getting around to writing a review. Nep Cafe is part of the Kei Concepts family offering a modern fusion take on some classic Vietnamese dishes. In short, they pull it off very well. My first time there, we ordered the pork tomahawk and the boneless ribeye entrees. Those dishes by themselves can be pretty expensive, but we were able to share it family style amongst 3-4 people. Not only were both the tomahawk and the ribeye were extremely tender and juicy, but the Vietnamese seasoning (nuoc cham, tamarind dressing) probably was what made each dish standout. It's a pretty refreshing take on some classic dishes. More recently, I went back and ordered their Bun Bo Hue Dry Noodles. For about $20, you get a decently sized bowl filled with plenty of meats, veggies, and noodles. I was rather skeptical, but after tasting the dish, it does not lack in flavor despite not having the broth. The meats were tender and seasoned well, and the vegetables provided a nice refreshing balance to the dish. It's a dish that I would order again. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Long,…
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
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Erica,…
20 days ago
I've been to this place several times already and it keeps getting better. Definitely get the garlic noodles with crab instead of shrimp, and the crab toast is a must try every single time. I'd skip the wontons and tom kha pasta, but everything else was impeccable. The matcha lattes were also alright, not too sweet, and there's matcha quality was pretty good, but the sugarcane juice with kumquat was just too sweet sickening. Other than that, I really enjoy the quick service and amazing ambiance. Probably not the best place for Instagram photos, but definitely presentable food! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Joyce,…
7 months ago
Nep Cafe continues my blind loyalty to Kei Concepts. Did it emotionally wreck me (in a good way)? Yes. Coffees and matcha = elite. Space = gorgeous and roomy. Staff = ridiculously nice. Food?? No misses. The crab toast, bánh mì chảo beef belly, congee, and xôi mặn are all stupid good. I would eat the xôi mặn daily if geography allowed it. Been here multiple times and it has never let me down. Comfort food excellence. End of story. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Michelle,…
tom kha pasta and shaken beef were delicious, flavorful and filling. service was friendly, attentive and quick. came on a tuesday evening and it wasn't crowded. the place is spacious, clean and very nice to take pictures. overall, a great experience and would come back again. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Tulisa,…
More info about NEP Cafe
14346 Culver Dr
Irvine, CA 92604
Directions
(949) 527-6533
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.keiconcepts.info
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Ask the Community - NEP Cafe
What days and times do they have happy hour deals? I saw 2-5pm weekdays but is anything available on weekends?
Hi Tiffany. I think their happy hour is only on weekdays which is common with most restaurants. Hope you're doing well!! Have a wonderful day!
C el? See d s We ya
Joe much is the corkage fee?
Hello! Depending on bottle size, we typically charge $25 for the first bottle of wine. No hard alcohol.
Do they have any gluten free options?
Is the lemongrass tofu vegan? Are any of the desserts vegan?
I had the lemongrass tofu last time I ate there and it was delicious! According to toasttab, here are the ingredients: fried tofu, lemongrass soy, crispy shallots, thai basil, red chiles, and rice.
Will you bring back the salted egg yolk pudding?
We will definitely take this into consideration. Thank you for reaching out!
Is dinner and lunch menu available all hours? I just looked at the pic that someone took and the dinner menu seems limited to 4 main entrees, is there more to the menu for dinner?
Hello! Our brunch/lunch menu is offered until 5pm and from 5pm till close, we exclusively serve dishes from our dinner menu.…
Good for large groups (10+)?
Yes, there was a large party seated next to us- many tables were large parties. They can definitely accommodate.
Are walk ins available?
Yes, we do take walk-ins daily and dedicate a section of our restaurant for walk-in guests. Please give us a visit!
Does your out door seating area open yet?
At this time outdoor dining is unavailable, but we are working to have that dining option available very very soon. Please stay updated by following us on Instagram: @nep.cafe
Does anyone know when online ordering will become available for this location?
Online ordering is now available as well as delivery via 3rd party apps! Please visit our website for more information!
Are there vegan/vegetarian options for mains/entrees?
We do offer select vegan/vegetarian-friendly options. Please do not hesitate to call in or give us a visit as our staff would be more than happy to assist you in your dietary restrictions!
Do you have an outdoor patio? Are dogs allowed?
We are working on having our outdoor patio available soon. Please follow @nep.cafe on Instagram to stay informed!
On the menu it says that the Szechuan Spicy Noodles is $14 with chicken and $16 with the shrimp & pork dumplings, but what if I don't want either proteins and just want the noodles?
The noodles alone are $10.
When will takeout available?
We do not have a definitive timeline at the moment, but please follow us on social media for the latest updates! @nep.cafe
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
249 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
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NEP Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated August 2026
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