NEP Cafe - Fountain Valley — Restaurant in Fountain Valley

Checked out Nep Cafe, one of the buzzier spots under the Kei Concepts group and yeah, this crew definitely knows how to serve up aesthetic + flavor. You’ll find Kei Concepts all over Orange County, repping that new-gen Vietnamese fusion flair. Think modern Pan-Asian vibes: part Vietnamese roots, part global remix.

From the decor to the staff, everything about their places screams young and chic vibe.

Nep’s currently got a pretty solid Happy Hour (weekdays 2–5pm): • Drinks (incl. cocktails): $6–10 • Bites: $8–12

Menu’s not huge, but what they do have is flavorful and fun. Here’s what we tried: *CHICKEN WINGS $10 Marinated in caramelized fish sauce, garlic, and chili. Flavor hits just right , sweet, savory, spicy. We get 5 wings for $10, which is actually a steal these days.

*SHRIMP TOAST $10 Don’t let the name fool you. This was a sleeper hit. Thick layer of shrimp paste on crispy toast, drizzled with honey mustard mayo, and topped with a full coat of black sesame. Sounds wild, but it works. Lowkey might be one of their best dishes in my opinion.

*SPICY WONTONS $10 Not classic Chinese style, these come with bold garlic and Southeast Asian chili oil vibes. Heavier flavor profile, more punch, still tasty… hmm but just not mind-blowing because the wonton wrapper was a bit thick.

*SHRIMP GARLIC NOODLES $12 We have tried this (similar) dish at many Viet-fusion spots, but Nep’s version is legit. Stir-fried with garlic, butter, and lemongrass, the noodles were super fragrant and actually had flavor in the noodles, not just on the surface. Comes with 5 shrimp, and for $12 it’s a way better deal than other spots (Garlic & Chives, a Michelin guild recommended restaurant has the same dish for $16 but noodle tasted bland). Portion’s a bit smaller than a full entrée, but worth it. Honestly liked this more than the $20 version at their sister restaurant, Vox Kitchen.

Regarding the service, I have few feedbacks. The staff was very attentive, like, water refills and check-ins every 10 minutes. Which, okay, they’re earning that 18%+ tip but two things a bit bugged us: They kept bringing dishes meant for other tables “twice”. If we weren’t already eating, we probably would’ve just dug in by mistake. Definitely a red flag on table number checks.

Plate-clearing was way too aggressive. Same issue I had at Vox Kitchen. Even though the restaurant wasn’t full, it felt like they were rushing us either to order more or leave to flip the table turnover rates. A server even interrupted our convo to take plates and then told us to ignore her and “keep chatting”. We were like… okay? Between the hovering, the questions for asking to order other dishes or desserts or drinks, and the constant clearing, we just didn’t feel super relaxed toward the end.

If you’re into trendy fusion eats and stylish vibes, it’s worth a visit, just don’t expect to linger long without someone hovering with a water pitcher or collecting plates. Overall, food was solid and I would have given 5 stars but decided to take 1 star off for the service part.

📍Nep Cafe 10836 Warner Ave, Fountain...

I have seen Nep hyped up all over Instagram and other social media. Some of my friends are in on the hype, others think it is just overrated. My cousin took me this weekend and I think it is a unique alternative to your typical brunch!

Parking: There is plenty of parking here, that is not the issue. We went slightly before it opened and there was a line of at least 30 people in front of us! This place is popular. By the time we got to the front of the line, we still got seated though. It maybe took 15 minutes for us to get seated from the time the restaurant opened.

Ambiance: I like the ambiance here. Lots of windows, natural lighting, green, and wood. Seats were comfortable, they had outdoor seating, overall good vibes. Along with Vietnamese comfort food, I felt really content with my experience here!

Food: First off, we family-styled everything. That is the best way to get variety. We ordered Banh Mi Pate, Banh Mi Chao with Pork Jowel, Bone Marrow Pasta, and the Xoi Man. My cousin and I both got a beer. I also got the Ca Phe Trung on ice and a friend got the Ca Phe Dua Ube. The beers were decent, nothing special. The first thing that came out was the Banh Mi Pate, which was a good appetizer. The pate itself is very flavorful, savory, probably my favorite thing that we got honestly despite how simple it is. The Bone Marrow Pasta was delicious, vary savory as well. I honestly do not know how much the Bone Marrow contributes to the dish, but it is a nice touch. The pasta was already pretty flavorful as is. The Banh Mi Chao and Xoi man were both flavorful and hearty dishes as well. The Ca Phe Trung was a good dessert. It was more on the sweet side. The Ca Phe Dua Ube was also delicious if you like those flavors! Overall, I thought the food was delicious, hit home for me, and I would much rather prefer going here for a Sunday morning brunch than your typical brunch spot. Considering the portion sizes and how much protein you get for the price, this is a much better deal than comparable American brunch spots.

Service: Service was quick, our drinks were filled, and we were taken care of real well. I have no complaints here. We did notice a hair in our Banh Mi Chao that we pointed out to our waitress, and it was immediately removed from our table and replaced within minutes without even asking! I feel like they did right by us there and hair in food is an honest mistake.

Overall, enjoyed my experience. The ambiance was wonderful. The food was delicious. I think they are doing something really unique with Vietnamese food, as we do not really have “breakfast” or “brunch” dishes, but they are taking what would be the equivalent of it in Vietnamese food and showcasing it very well. Like I had said above, this is a unique brunch experience that I would much rather prefer than your typical...

While visiting from out of town, we had the pleasure of dining at NEP, and it was an unforgettable experience! From the moment we walked in, we were struck by the beautifully modern decor, complete with lush greenery and a chic, inviting atmosphere. The open kitchen concept added a high-end touch and gave the restaurant a distinct and vibrant energy.

The staff at NEP are kind, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive, making our visit feel special from start to finish. Our server explained the menu with patience and gave fantastic recommendations, ensuring we got the most out of our dining experience.

The food itself was an elevated take on Vietnamese classics, with thoughtful presentation and incredible flavors. The seafood ceviche was refreshing and perfectly portioned for our party of six to enjoy. The scallops were buttery, tender, and cooked to perfection, while the shrimp was delicately prepared, highlighting its natural sweetness.

The chicken wings were an absolute pleasure! The crispy skin, juicy meat, and perfectly balanced fish sauce glaze made them an instant favorite. I could have easily devoured a dozen!

The shrimp toast was another highlight, with its delightful crunch from sesame seeds, fresh and light flavors, and perfectly seasoned shrimp paste.

Some dishes were less remarkable but still enjoyable. The banh mi bites didn’t quite meet expectations, as the bread’s soft texture differed from the traditional banh mi experience.

The xoi man was decent but lacked the wow factor compared to the other exceptional dishes.

The shrimp garlic noodles stole the show for our group of older guests (60+). The chewy noodles, well-balanced garlic sauce, and textured shrimp with their shells on created a dish that was flavorful, comforting, and easy to enjoy. It was a touch oily but not enough to detract from the overall experience.

The beef belly banh mi chao was visually stunning and generously portioned. The beef belly was flavorful, and the bread was delightfully fluffy. Adding bone marrow elevated the dish, but we found it challenging to eat without a spoon.

What truly made NEP a five-star experience was the impeccable service. Plates were cleared promptly, our table was kept spotless, and every staff member went above and beyond. When one of our elderly guests spilled water, a staff member immediately came to assist with towels, reassurance, and a replacement plate. Their kindness and efficiency were unmatched.

From the creative menu to the flawless service and inviting atmosphere, NEP exceeded all our expectations. We can’t wait to return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a modern, elevated Vietnamese dining experience. Bravo to the...