NEP Cafe - Irvine
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Cousins night out! I love almost everything Kei Concept touches. We've heard the hype about their brunch, but we wanted to try their dinner experience. Parking: Free parking lot. They're located in a high foot traffic plaza. Parking will be difficult to find. Ambiance/Environment: We visited on a Saturday evening around 19:30, and it was extremely busy. Luckily we were seated within 15 min. I love the vibes here. It's a bit loud, but you can still have a conversation. They have a large indoor area and a nice bar. Everything is kept clean. Service: Thank you Mia for taking care of us! She's very attentive, and throughput was surprisingly quick & efficient despite how busy it was. She also checked on us multiple times and refilled our waters. Food & drinks: We absolutely enjoyed everything! Safe to say the hype is real. 1) Curry Crab Omelette - This is my favorite dish. This was presented on a small skillet with rice in a separate bowl. The omelette was drenched in curry. The curry was seasoned well, semi thick consistency, with a hint of spice. 2) Vietnamese Shaken Beef (one w/ garlic noodles & one w/ rice) - I personally prefer the shaken beef at Vox. For whatever reason, the beef seemed to be overcooked bc it was very chewy. The vegetables tasted as expected, and the red rice was really delicious. The garlic noodles were good. 3) Lemongrass Tofu - The tofu was cooked well and seasoned deliciously. 4) 5-Spice Roasted Chicken - Exactly what the description says. The roasted chicken was huge. We weren't sure exactly what it was seasoned with, but we all devoured it. Yum! 5) Lychee Milk Punch - It's not dinner without alcohol. I thought it was pretty strong with the rum & whiskey. It's more on the sweeter end from the lychee & pineapple. The foam wasn't too thick, and it paired well with the drink. Pricing: These are elevated prices. We'll definitely be back for dinner, and we can't wait to try their brunch. Highly recommend joining the Kei Rewards!
Nep Cafe is a modern fusion restaurant conveniently located in a medium sized shopping center, Heritage Plaza near the freeway. There are many other small restaurants, businesses and grocery stores, including Ralph's, CVS, Mitsuwa, and Daiso, etc. parking is a good size but it does get busy during peak hours. Nep Cafe is part of KEI Concepts. I've enjoyed several of the restaurants from this group. They have two sister restaurants in the same plaza, Sup Noodle Bar for pho and ROL Hand Roll Bar for sushi. My lunch experience with my coworkers was fantastic and everyone enjoyed the food at Nep. We ordered a few dishes to share: fried calamari, chicken wings, broccolini, garlic noodles and filet mignon, chicken and sticky rice and chicken rice porridge. We ended it with a dessert of mango and pandan sticky rice. Each dish was bursting with different flavors and textures. They are all plated beautifully. I loved all of it! There was a lot of garlic and umami flavors, which I love. Nice touch with having complimentary mouthwash available inside the restroom. So thoughtful! The service was friendly and helpful. it does get pretty noisy inside with more patrons. I'd love to check out their happy hour next time.
Went to NEP Cafe to celebrate Mother's Day. I made dinner reservations and expected business to be slow, but the restaurant was packed! We ordered a couple of fried rice dishes and the tom kha seafood pasta. I LOVE the green aji sauce that comes with the fried rice. The pasta was another winner. Service was very attentive and friendly. It's a little noisy inside, so if you want somewhere quiet, this is not the place. Plenty of parking in the lot. I do wish their website was better as they do not post a brunch /lunch menu and a dinner menu separately. If you click on "menu," it takes you to the Toast online ordering, which will reflect whatever menu is currently available - so if it's before 5pm, you'll see the lunch menu, instead of the dinner menu. If you love Kei Concept restaurants like Vox Kitchen, you'll love NEP Cafe!
Absolutely the best modern Vietnamese restaurant. My husband and I make it a point to come here every time we visit family, and we're so happy there's now a closer location. The new Irvine spot is spacious, modern, and beautifully designed, with plenty of seating and a bar area for self-seating. We ended up coming twice during one weekend, once for brunch and once for dinner. They offer separate brunch, happy hour, and dinner menus. For brunch, I ordered the filet mignon bánh mì chảo, and my husband had the chicken congee. For dinner, we shared the beef carpaccio and ceviche. I ordered the shaken beef, and my husband chose the five-spice chicken. Everything was absolutely delicious. They also have a rewards program where you can earn discounts on future visits, which is a great bonus.
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.
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!
NEP Cafe Irvine, CA 4/19/26 Irvine after Tax Day feels like summer has quietly filed for incorporation. Culver Drive is all manicured hedge-jungle, sandstone barriers, curated palms, and the faint aura of wealth trying not to sweat. Everything in this part of Orange County looks half remembered, half franchised, half copied from the plaza next door. Yes, that is three halves. That is what Irvine does to the brain. My niece, a woman of exacting princess standards, was too high-maintenance to physically attend yet somehow still phoned in a request for the strawberry matcha yogurt drink. That alone told me this place has pull. A restaurant does not inspire absentee longing unless it has some hold over the local imagination, or at least over elegantly hydrated Gen Z royalty. The surrounding plaza is a whole anthropological exhibit: ramen, wings, noodles, Super Mex, Wendy's, Daiso, Wells Fargo, parking lot purgatory, and clusters of Sunday food pilgrims pretending their group hang is a summit of emotional importance. Jacaranda petals droop softly over the asphalt like nature trying to add lyricism to retail exhaustion. And there sits NEP. NEP has that dim, sexy, modern look that immediately makes you suspicious. Either the food is excellent or the lighting designer deserves criminal levels of praise. It feels like the kind of place where young urban professionals gather to flirt, network, and accidentally fall in love over small plates and good bone structure. Gorgeous bar. Expensive-looking interior. A room calibrated for pheromones, soft vanity, and excellent phone cameras. We waited about 24 minutes outside in the smug parking lot, which only deepened the mystery: what exactly does NEP stand for? Not Eating Pork? Never Ever Pho? North Eastern Pakistan? Apparently it may be a play on nếp, as in sticky rice, which is a much more graceful answer than anything my baby carafe of junmai was producing. Inside: loud, lively, but not unbearable. Friendly staff. Personable service. The menu is basically point-and-shoot, which I respect. No need to read it like an 18th-century Russian novel. We ordered beef carpaccio, fried calamari, house junmai cold sake, shaken beef, seafood tom kha pasta, and dry bun bo hue. The beef carpaccio was excellent. Bright, fresh, and carrying a Vietnamese twist with basil, mint, and that sweet-fish-sauce undercurrent that makes your brain sit up straight and pay rent. This dish had grace and flavor. 5/5. The fried calamari with jalapeños and lime mayo was better than I expected. I feared this place might be all cheekbones and no soul. Thankfully, I was wrong. I am not even a huge calamari person and still found this lively and enjoyable. 4/5. The shaken beef with broken rice and salad was good, but for me a little too mild. I am a flavor degenerate. I like dishes that kick in the door and overturn a chair. This was more restrained, more civilized, more "I went to business school." Still solid. 3.5/5. The seafood tom kha pasta had good ideas and real herbal notes, but it leaned too sweet. Reduce the sweetness by maybe 25% and increase the Vietnamese herbal personality by 25%, and this thing starts writing poetry in the margins. As served, good but not fully realized. The dry bun bo hue was also decent, though I wished they had gone further and added pork blood cubes. Some of us enjoy a little culinary menace. Still good. 4/5. I also appreciated that the portions were not absurdly tiny. I had feared fashionable starvation. Instead, each dish felt like a proper entrée: not foo-foo, not grotesquely oversized, just enough to justify being alive in Irvine on a Sunday. And bless the cheaper house junmai cold sake. Smooth, easy, and a good match for the food. So yes, NEP is stylish, a little performative, somewhat seductive, very Orange County, and thankfully not empty. The food mostly backs up the aesthetics, the service is amiable, and the room hums with youthful fancy without collapsing into pure nonsense. I would come back.
Spacious and open interior, great for larger parties. The service was great, you're limited by party size if you try to reserve a table online, but I was able to get a reservation for 14 by calling in during business hours. They were very helpful and accommodating, especially since we had children and babies in our party. I think the food was hit or miss. I appreciated the vision they had for each dish and the plating was nice. The Vietnamese shaking beef was solid, safe choice but not standout. The tom kha pasta was the unanimous winner of the night of our table though! I wasn't able to get a drink this time but I think I'd definitely come back to try the cocktails. They all looked very interesting and definitely piqued my interest as a cocktail hobbyist.
Fresh ingredients, rich flavors, great drinks, and a really nice atmosphere. One of those places that's worth the wait. I LOVE their ceviche it is my absolute favorite. Their matcha & coffee is also super delicious and perfectly balanced. I unfortunately don't have any photos of anything else because we are always so hungry & excited lol! We have tried the dao, which is creamy & tasty, the vietnamese salad which is super refreshing, and the delicious ribeye fried rice. Everything tastes fresh & is packed with flavor!
Right after landing into California, I knew where I wanted to take my parents to dinner that night immediately! If you follow any of my other reviews, Asian fusion food IS MY THING. Kei Concept restaurants does such a great job at it, and Nep in Irvine is no exception. My parents, who are quite picky eaters when it comes to restaurants, enjoyed every bite, as did I. Though the food was spectacular, I want to give a full on shout out to our waitress - Janelle. She went above and beyond to make this experience for us truly memorable. What a phenomenal night. Okay, back to the food! I was trying to get my veggies in so I ordered the broccolini & squid/mango salad. I love a good goi! The sauce the broccolini was in was sooo yummy; I kept dipping everything in that sauce. I'm not much of a sauce girl myself, but the sauce that comes with the calamari is sooo freaking delicious. PERFECT definition of Asian fusion. It has a heavy taste of lemongrass, which I love. My parents really enjoyed the seafood tom kha pasta; they didn't skimp on the seafood portion! This location is bigger than their FV counterpart. Lots of space and very open location. Clean and sleek. I'll definitely be returning, and will request Janelle as my server because she rocks!
Stumbled upon Nep Cafe and loved this Vietnamese fusion gem. Fresh, trendy vibe with light wood panel decor and live plants. The staffs were super friendly and knowledgeable. The seafood ceviche was a standout--perfectly balanced with coconut, mango, and Thai chili. Paired it with the squid mango salad--bright, herby, and had a delightful crunch of peanuts. We also shared the shaken beef and chicken wings (both great, but I favored the wings). Drinks impressed too--the Calamansi Fizz was refreshing, and the Pandan Old Fashioned was strong but well done (bonus points for the large ice cubes). Best detail? Complimentary mouthwash in the restroom--such a thoughtful touch after all those bold flavors. FYI- Our order came to about $116. Appetizers runs about $15-20. We shared the rice dish which run just under $30. The drinks were $16 each. Ironically we got married 01/16. It's our lucky number! I'd absolutely love to return and try their Crème Brulee Coffee! It's only an hour and a half drive from San Diego. I guess our next date is a road trip to indulge in some coffee!
I recently tried Nepo. The restaurant felt clean, modern, and relaxed without trying too hard. It's one of those places that works whether you're grabbing a quick lunch or sitting down for a casual dinner. My family absolutely loved the food. They described themselves as being in a food coma after they were done. The pho had a rich, flavorful broth that you can tell was simmered for hours, and the meats were tender without being overcooked. I just took nibbles off of certain things on people's plates like the vegetables and rice, because I'm a vegan and unfortunately they do not have many vegan choices at all. I did try the lemongrass tofu and it was absolutely delicious. Service was friendly and efficient. Overall, Nepo is a solid spot if you're in Irvine and craving Vietnamese food that feels a step above the usual casual places. However, due to the lack of Vegan choices I won't be back soon but if you're a carnivore, this is a solid place to try.
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.
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,…
5 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,…
Visited for Sunday brunch at NEP Cafe and boy was it very busy in this shopping plaza. Our server was quick to take our order and the food came out super quick as well. My friend and I shared the wings, garlic noodles with shrimp and the Banh Mi Chao with Filet Mignon. Everything was super flavorful and delicious. Highly recommend booking a reservation in advance if you visit on the weekend as the place was packed. They have indoor and outdoor seating plus a pretty large bar area. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Lisa,…
2 days ago
The food here is consistently good, and every time I bring friends, they end up loving it too. I've tried several dishes over multiple visits, and the quality has always been reliable. My personal favorites are the seafood ceviche, the seafood tom kha pasta--which has a great balance of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors--and the Vietnamese shaking beef, which is always well-seasoned and cooked just right. The interior is clean, modern, and welcoming. I've liked the space ever since it was EMC Seafood before becoming Nep Cafe, and the atmosphere has remained one of its strengths. It's a great spot whether you're catching up with friends or going out on a date--it feels comfortable but still stylish. Service has also been consistently good. Dine-in experiences are smooth, and my takeout orders are always packaged neatly with utensils and napkins included. Orders are ready by the promised time, which I really appreciate. Overall, this is a dependable place I'm happy to return to and recommend to others. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Donna,…
Overall great experience. One of the items we order came out wrong and when I let our server know they were super nice about it and offered to send us a replacement. When we got the replacement they also made sure to double check with us to make sure it was correct and was what we wanted. All the other food was great too. We got the beef tongue fried rice which was my favorite out of everything we ordered. Highly recommend getting that here. The mango sticky rice was also a bit sour but that was probably mainly due to mango's being out of season. The menu was kinda hard to read. They used yellow for some of the wording and that was hard to see. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Ena,…
6 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,…
Wow what a beautiful brunch spot in Irvine! This restaurant has such a gorgeous interior with amazing lighting. Food: great! First off, the coffee is strong like a Vietnamese coffee but the creaminess from the egg was delightful. The roasted chicken was also very tender and juicy, not dry whatsoever. And the toppings with scallions, shredded pork, and pickled veggies were refreshing. I can see why people come here for some nice Vietnamese fusion brunch. Service: exceptional! The server was so so kind and patient with us, helping us take pictures with the best lighting and angles. She was super nice! Thank you for making our cousins special day with a nice treat as well! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Andrew,…
2 months ago
Tried a few items here recently and had a mixed experience. We ordered the spicy wontons, crab toast, and the Ba Mi Chao beef belly, along with a drink and dessert. The spicy wontons had a nice kick, but the wonton skin was a bit thicker than we prefer, which made the texture a little heavy. The crab toast looked great, but the crab had a pretty strong "seafoody" flavor that might not be for everyone. For the Ba Mi Chao beef belly, we were expecting it to be served on a hot stone plate, piping hot, but it came out on a regular plate instead, which was a bit disappointing and not what we anticipated. For drinks, we tried the calamansi white peach, but it leaned a little too sweet for our taste. For dessert, we had the mango sticky rice. It was okay, but the addition of black sesame kind of threw off the flavor we personally prefer the classic version with just the coconut sauce. The outdoor seating was really nice not too hot and the inside was cool and comfortable. The overall ambiance has a great vibe for a relaxing brunch in the morning. The server was very nice and friendly we loved her and she made the experience better. Overall, not a bad spot, but a few things could be improved in terms of texture, flavor balance, and presentation. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Nil,…
Crab toast Seafood ceviche Filet mignon banh mi chao Garlic noodle with crab Pandan old fashioned Mango sticky rice Creme brulee coffee Finally got to eat at Nep Cafe and it did not disappoint. Everything we got was so good and flavorful will definitely get them again. My absolute favorite was the seafood ceviche. The ceviche and garlic noodle has a spicy kick. My husband loved the filet mignon banh mi chao, the meat was so tender and the sauce pairs perfectly with the bread. Our food came out within 10 minutes of ordering, and our server was super nice and attentive. It was my birthday so they gave a complimentary ice cream. Will definitely be back and can't wait to try their dinner menu! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Nicole,…
6 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,…
Another amazing meal to the book! I tried their tom khả pasta and it tastes exactly like the tom khả ramen from from their kin restaurant! Such a great bowl with lots of seafood, I'd get this again! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Linh,…
1 month ago
First of all, I almost never write reviews but my experience at NEP was something to write about. We're visiting from San Francisco and our friends took us here and 10/10 best decision! James was our waiter and if you get him as your server, PLS KISS HIM FOR ME! He was giving us the best recommendations for food and just overall the sweetest sweetest person The coconut matcha is a MUST, so good i was genuinely upset when i finished mine (ended up ordering one to go) I ordered the Tom Kha pasta and legit the best seafood pasta ive ever had! The fried chicken and the broccolini are 10000/10 staple apps and would even get them as my only meals if i wanted (James recommended to eat the with a side of rice, we also agreed!) We went for brunch and there wasn't a wait at all and the overall ambiance was soothing and nice to sit an eat in (lots of natural light that i enjoy) Pls come here if you are in the irvine area and craving Asian cuisine!!! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Janice,…
The place is huge and theres a bartop. Me and my fiance got seated immediately when we went around 2pm in the afternoon on a Sunday. There was a lot of people but they had enough servers to keep the flow going. The food was 100%! I can't have enough of both! They were extremely delicious and I HAVE TO come back! Tom yum pasta and ribeye fried rice was very very amazing. The fried rice was very flavorful, not normal fried rice or typical fried rice! Don't get tricked by the simple name. Other than the food, we had drinks. Drinks were decently priced like all other place BUT it's also tasty! WIN WIN FOR ME. This is the only Kei Concepts that actually got me good this time! I can't get enough! Coming back to try the beef carpaccio for dinner next time! 100% must-try! Pricey but worth my money. This is the only entree order pricey place I do not mind coming back for. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Siao,…
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,…
Great food and service! This place is a little pricey so it might be better for a special occasion. What we got: Bun Bo hue dry noodle - big portion and very filling Crab Garlic Noodle - very good, has a good portion of crab on it! - the bowl is smaller than the bun bo huge though read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Arwen,…
1 month ago
NEP Cafe (Irvine), 14346 Culver Drive, Irvine, CA92604. Vietnamese fusion cafe opened for breakfast, lunch, dinner. I stumbled upon this place by chance and was glad we went. A 4.5* rating out of 2,010 reviews at the time of writing. We tried the Garlic Shrimp Noodle, Bun Bo Hue Dry Noodle, and Spicy Wonton. They were all really good and did not disappoint at all. The restaurant is clean, big, had a modern decor and nice vibe. It was already packed when we were there at 10am. By the time we were done with our brunch, the line was snaking outside. There's a bar within the restaurant that offers happy hour. There's also an outlet at Fountain Valley. Will definitely come again to try other items on the menu. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Lie-Ming,…
1 month ago
Had a nice time at NEP Cafe The food was flavorful and well-prepared -- slightly on the saltier side, but still really enjoyable overall. Ingredients tasted fresh, and the dishes were satisfying without feeling too heavy. The vibe is modern and aesthetic, perfect for brunch or a casual meal. Service was smooth and friendly as well. Definitely a spot I'd come back to read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Joyce,…
Came on a Wed for lunch. wasn't busy. got a table easily. the place was about half packed. I haven't been back here in about a year. I got Seafod Ceviche. it wasn't bad but the coconut flavor overpowered the dish. also ordered the 5 Spice Roasted chicken. pictured looked good. when I got the dish they forgot the quail eggs (good thing I saw the pics first) but I got them once I told the server. the chicken was dry. it was overcooked. sticky rice was pretty good, however. lastly we got Seafood Tom Kha pasta. I wished I knew the words "tom kha" meant coconut cream. again nice dish but strong coconut flavor. all the dishes here had pretty presentation. the flavors for the dishes were mostly good. I did think the portions were a bit small for the price. the pics definitely looked bigger than reality. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Stan,…
17 days ago
RJ the bartender was amazing! Drinks were beyond what expected! Have to get the egg coffee. This place is really a gem to behold! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Brandon,…
3 months ago
This was my second time at this location - I previously came for dinner months ago and I really enjoyed it (especially their pork tomahawk)! This time around, it didn't hit the same. For context, I've also had brunch at the Fountain Valley location a few times. FLAVOR (3.5/5): 1. THE ĐÀO: The dao was interesting, but a little underwhelming for what it was. Make sure to scoop all the way down to the bottom, because that's where the egg is. There's a strong truffle flavor, but I think I was hoping for more of a wow factor since it's one of their more popular dishes. Maybe a third texture for contrast? 2. CRAB TOAST: The crab toast was good, but also nothing crazy. I wish they did something special with the bread, like a sweet/savory butter spread. 3. 5-SPICE ROASTED CHICKEN: The 5-spice chicken was okay, but also not amazing. I'm not sure I would order it again. 4. SEAFOOD TOM KHA PASTA: The pasta might have been the best dish of the meal. It was very flavorful and tasty. 5. BANH MI CHAO W/FILET MIGNON: When I previously had the Banh Mi Chao w/ Filet Mignon at the Fountain Valley location, I loved it. But for some reason, it didn't hit the same this time around. Not sure what it was, but I was left underwhelmed. SERVICE (4/5): Service was good. AMBIENCE (3.7/5): Great for large parties / casual brunches. PARKING (5/5): Plenty of lot parking. TAKEAWAYS: The star factor of Nep Cafe has faded away for me, at least at this location. Maybe it was just an off day, but there was just a little bit missing flavor-wise from each dish. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Kaitlyn,…
This is my second time here. We got the egg coffee which is the highlight - I highly recommend! We got the beef belly with baguette which we loved last time. However, the yolk was completely overcooked today which was a bit disappointing. Normally it's runny which you can mix with the beef and eat it with the bread read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Lydia,…
2 months ago
NEP Cafe is such a cute modern Vietnamese spot with a bright, trendy vibe. We got the beef tongue fried rice, shaking beef, sugarcane kumquat, and mango sticky rice matcha. Everything was super flavorful. The beef tongue was tender, the shaking beef was juicy, and the matcha drink was a standout (unique and not too sweet). Service was quick and friendly, but it does get busy. Definitely a spot I'd come back to! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Karenn,…
Came here for happy hour. Ceviche, wings and garlic noodles are legit. Cocktails are also well made. Not a big fan of the banh mi chao even though this is what they're known for. Overall a solid 4 on the food. Service was really good, our server was very attentive and made sure we're well taken care of. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Jack,…
2 months ago
After a little confusion on Easter Sunday since they were busy the manager got me a nice Ada table. The service was very fast and friendly! The food is Asian fusion and was delicious. They took over a well know spot in Irvine and the ambience is modern and spacious. They offer restaurant, bar, and outside seating. This restaurant is ADA friendly as long as you inform them of your needs. They meet your disability. We are definitely coming back. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Mike,…
Amazing experience! I love the environment, very intimate at night and so pretty at noon. I've been to both restaurants plenty of times, and I'd say their customer service is always on top. Never had a bad experience! Can I just say their food is to die for & their matchas are so divine. My favorites dishes are: Garlic noodles w/ charred shrimp [10/10]: I love garlic, and this is always cooked to perfection. Perfect for garlic lovers. Fillet Mignon Chao [10/10]: super duper delicious! Very filling, and seasoned to perfection! Coconut Matcha [10/10]: Even my coconut-hater friend loves this drink! Not too sweet & the coconut flavor doesn't over power the matcha. Definitely will come back again!! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Annie,…
6 months ago
I came here twice in the past two months as part of my travel plans, since I've heard that Nep Cafe is super popular! The first time I came here I really enjoyed my dishes and the service was great! I love the crab toast! The portion is generous with a good amount of crab with perfectly crisped bread. It's quite rich, but enjoyable. The chicken wings were also good! It's saucy and garlicky and fried really well. The Five Spice Chicken was delicious both times. I think about that chicken sometimes. The skin is perfectly crisped and the rice is flavorful. It really hits the spot! The garlic noodles are also delicious. A little spicy, but good overall. Definitely worth a try! If you go during happy hour, the shrimp garlic noodles are only $12! The first time I had the Banh Mi Chao Filet Mignon, it was remarkable! Really well cooked and tasty. However, I was slightly disappointed in this dish the second time. I'm not sure if it was the cook or how the meat was prepared but there were a handful of chewy pieces of meat that I couldn't swallow. It makes me hesitant to order it again. Lastly, the drinks! The Viet coffees are strong but delicious! My favorite is the egg coffee!! Overall a good place to eat and enjoy with friends and family. I like the Irvine location, since I heard the Fountain valley one is smaller and I can see this place getting crowded. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Chantel,…
I tried Nep's brunch around when it first opened years ago, and it was the only Kei Concepts restaurant I was disappointed by. I finally gave them another shot (AND SO GLAD I DID)! The dishes were unique, flavorful, and delicious. I need to come back and try their cocktails and coffee/ matcha because WOW. Top tier ambiance and service as well. This might just beat Ini and Rol for me. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Misa,…
So thrilled to have another (and much larger) location! No wait for bar seating on a rainy Saturday noon. But beware of the white Tesla parking lot battles since a charging station is right next to the restaurant! Banh Mi Chao Filet Mignon was delicious. Just be wary of when the food runners get it to you since the hot skillet may overcook the eggs and you want that yolk runny to dip the lovely baguette in! But the filet mignon was perfectly cooked. Lemongrass Tofu was tasty accompanied by the sticky rice. If you're a savory gal looking for a solid protein option, I'd recommend. The sauce was very umami. I'll be back for happy hour! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Tami,…
I came here for Sunday brunch with a group of 5 and we were seated on the patio since we had a dog with us. Our server was Bobby and he was amazing! This was my first time at this Nep location for brunch and Bobby was very thorough in his explanation for the different dishes I had questions on. He also some recommendations based on our group size. We got a variety of things: Beef Belly Banh Mi Chao, Tofu Lemongrass, Shrimp Salad, Skinny Fries, Chinese Sausage Sticky Rice. Beef belly banh mi chao (4.5/5) - The flavor was incredible and paired really nicely with the bread on the side. There was a good amount of beef so we all had leftovers to take home. Would get again! Shrimp Salad (4/5) - I loved how refreshing this was and was a greater starter to the meal. The shrimp was plump and the small pieces of mango added some freshness to the salad. I couldn't really taste the dressing though as that was pretty muted within the salad so I wish they offered some dressing on the side that we could pour on. Still a good portion for two people to share though. Skinny Fries (5/5) - I love how perfectly this was fried and the fries were pretty seasoned just by itself. It was a huge portion too so I also took most of it home and it still tasted great a couple hours later. Banana Bread Pudding (5/5) - The bread pudding was warm and paired nicely with the ice cream. I love how the cereal added a crispness to the dish and definitely helped enhance the flavor of the dessert. It was a good portion to share between all 5 of us too. Throughout our meal, our water was consistently being refilled and Bobby was checking up on us so I appreciated the attentiveness. Will be back! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Kairu,…
I've been to the first location in Fountain Valley, so I was excited to try their new location. This place is very spacious and has plenty of seating. It has a nice bar area too. We came here around 4pm on a Saturday. Luckily there wasn't a long wait for a group of 4. The food came out fairly quick. It was all so delicious. I had the shrimp garlic noddles and the appetizer were good too especially the seafood ceviche and the crispy calamari. I love Nep cafe because it's like Vietnamese modern food. I would recommend anyone to come here. Next time I got to try their drinks. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Amber,…
Came for a large party of about 50ish people for dinner and the staff did great with us. We were seated outside, had the menu preordered and brought out at the same time - similarly to banquet style. Tried the: Crispy calamari, 10/10 Vietnamese chicken salad 8/10 Shrimp garlic noodles 8/10 Vietnamese shaking beef 8/10 Com Ga Roti (chicken dish), 8/10 Banana bread pudding, 9/10 Mango sticky rice, 8/10 Everything was really good, brought out in a timely manner, drinks were refilled in a timely manner, and all went well and smooth. Truly impressed, especially with having such a big group. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Helen,…
Was driving thru Irvine, and told Yelp to find me something random. How did it know? WOW this place is amazing. I got take out but the restaurant is so cool and open, the bar looked amazing. As for my order I got Lychee Coconut water which is legit. Never had it before but I will again. I got the shrimp garlic noodles and it has a little kick to it. Highly recommend, I will definitely be back this time will be to eat in. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Chris,…
14 days ago
Food came out so fast! Genuinely the BEST dinner menu, and the staff was beyond attentive. 100% recommend getting a reservation ahead of time! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Jae,…
14 days ago
Amazing and beautiful atmosphere, love the decoration and the aesthetic! The food is even better, we got some of their popular dishes. It was definitely worth the hype! The services was good. read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Helen,…
Came here to celebrate a birthday. Such a great experience. They were able to set us up a table for 9 without a reservation. The space is very open and spacious with a modern vibe and open view of the kitchen. We ordered about half of the items on the menu and everything was delicious. Our favorites were the seafood ceviche, chicken wings, and tom kha pasta. Fun and tasty takes on southeast Asian fusion. Drinks were also fun and tasty. Food came out super fast and service overall was great! Couldn't get pics fast enough before people started digging in! Highly recommend if you're looking for a trendy, modern Asian fusion spot! read more
Business owner information
Christopher M.
Morgan,…
Went to Nep again with 2 of my friends! We were able to make same day reservations and were seated quickly even though we were 5 minutes late. Parking was quite scarce so I definitely recommend coming early. My server was extremely accommodating to my friends allergies and was attentive to our table refilling drinks and checking on our order. The coffee and matcha drinks were so yummy. Even though the food was yummy and the service quick, we've noticed the prices have gotten a bit more expensive. But definitely worth a try for brunch if you're looking for a nicer sit down meal! read more
Business owner information
Dominick D.
Angela,…
More info about NEP Cafe - Irvine
14346 Culver Dr
Irvine, CA 92604
Directions
(949) 527-6533
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Ask the Community - NEP Cafe - Irvine
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.… Read more
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
![Pho Ba Co - [clockwise from top left] Meatball phở; Chicken phở; Brisket phở; 6pc Egg roll; Crispy chow mein w/ chicken and shrimp (Mì xào dòn thập cẩm)](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/lgqph6OqtBkefO0xmjxIaw/ls.jpg)
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NEP Cafe - Irvine - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026
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