Nep Cafe Review: A Vietnamese Brunch Destination Rises in Orange County | Eater LA

"A brunch restaurant seemingly lifted out of a hip Ho Chi Minh City neighborhood, this Vietnamese hotspot packs tables with mandarin tequila cocktails and Vietnamese coffee capped with egg foam, swapping pancakes and hash browns for pan-fried noodles, cast-iron skillets of tender beef belly, and mango sticky rice for dessert. The wide beverage menu shines — the coconut ube with ube cream is a mid-morning stunner with a nutty, fragrant finish. Soft-scrambled eggs arrive under a mound of lump crab dusted with Cajun seasoning; pile them onto tiny toast points (you’ll likely need extra since three slices aren’t enough). On a sizzling iron skillet, chunks of tender filet mignon or beef belly come lacquered in a luc lac-style peppercorn sauce that’s savory, sticky, and slightly sweet, with seared tomatoes, pork pâté slices, roasted garlic cloves, and fried eggs rounding it out. Seafood tom kha pasta melds the lemongrass tartness of Thai soup with a creamy, savory pasta; shrimp, squid, and scallop deepen the flavor while dried chile adds a simmering heat. Expect a wait during prime weekend hours, though tables turn quickly, and reservations are available on OpenTable for both the original Fountain Valley and newer Irvine location. For the best seats, aim for the tables near the glass wall, where soft, cinematic light makes for standout food photos." - Matthew Kang