Little Sister

We had a a great experience here sitting at the bar. Service was prompt and polite with lots of descriptions about the food and she guided us towards the best options for our party of two. Food was delicious and this is what stood out. You pay for the ambience, and food is family style so order with caution as portions are big and shareable.

My friend treated us to dinner tonight to welcome another girl who just arrived in town 💗 She said Little Sister is so good that she’s been here twice in a row—and it’s definitely worth the hype! (We also tried a few dishes randomly from the menu—everything turned out delicious!) ⸻ 🌿 Ambience & Vibes The interior has a warm, elegant vibe with wooden tones and golden lighting—perfect for dates or girls’ night out. The outdoor patio features white walls, lush plants, and striped umbrellas—totally Instagram-worthy 📸 Whether you come during the day or in the evening, it feels like a cozy Southeast Asian getaway~ 🍴 Recommended Dishes 🥗 Goi Du Du (Papaya Salad + Prawns) Refreshing and tangy! The papaya shreds are super crisp, and the prawns are juicy and flavorful. A perfect mix of sweet, sour, and a little spicy! 🍆 Sauteed Eggplant Mapo Pork Soft, flavorful eggplant with a touch of Sichuan-style spice. Fragrant and rich—amazing with rice! 🥩 Short Rib Tender and juicy short rib with a perfectly seared crust. The sauce has that unique fusion of Southeast Asian street flavor and fine dining presentation. 🥘 Black Rice Topped with plenty of seafood! The black rice has a chewy texture and a nutty aroma—healthier and more unique than regular white rice. 🍞 Milk Rolls Soft, buttery, and slightly sweet—can’t believe bread can taste this good! My son absolutely loved it. 💰 Around $50 per person, totally worth it! The service was friendly and attentive too. 💬 Overall: ✨ Diverse flavors with beautiful plating (though slightly on the sweet side) ✨ Gorgeous setting and perfect lighting—every corner is photo-worthy!

Made a reservation here for my friends’s birthday. I requested to place us on a good spot for her birthday, the server tried to place us on the corner. My friend suggested another place to sit. The food was outstanding. Until the end when the guy took our plates without even asking if we were done with them. Would like to take home some left overs but they took the plates right away. We were talking so we didn’t realize that he took our left overs and threw them away already. Also, they didn’t even do anything for my friend’s birthday. I wish they had some ice cream or a little dessert at least for her. This is not the place if you want to make someone special on their birthday.

Having been to the one in Redondo Beach previously, I was curious how the Irvine location would be. It was an okay experience with good food. Parking at the Spectrum sometimes feel like a matter of luck. I opted to just park in one of the structures after circling the lot a few times. This was a Friday around lunch hours. The place is beautiful, lots of glass, indoor outdoor seating, high and low seating. Service was nice, our waiter was very knowledgeable and helpful. Other staff members assisted us quickly, constantly topping off our waters. Food-wise, I opted for the black rice. It was good, wild/purple rice mixed with curry flavors. There could’ve been more seafood. Nice large shrimps and octopus. I was expecting bigger pieces of scallops but they were tiny. Portion is in that mix range of too small to share, too large for yourself A place like this, I’d like to share since there’s a good mix of different items, but their portions seem catered to individual portions Don’t get me wrong, the quality is there and the dishes pack a lot of flavor. But for the price and portions, I think I’d go elsewhere. It’s very difficult to choose this place over some other options.

A huge shoutout to Jason our server! He checked in with us and made sure we were well taken care of. Even when we were busy getting through the food, he accommodated us so well. Thank you so much Jason. As soon as we entered into Little Sister, my sister and I could not help but take pictures of the interior. Incredibly well designed. We were seated within 10 minutes of waiting since we came in a less busy hours of around 2 pm. We got the following dishes *Goi Cuon - these spring rolls were accompanied by a peanut sauce that was so tangy. There were also candied nuts they had on the side that has been the “sprinkles on the icecream” of food for us. *Goi Du Du (Papaya Salad) - incredibly fresh. The best papaya salad I’ve ever had! *Shaky Shaky Beef - if you like steak, this is the dish to go. Incredibly supple meat accompanied by a fusion of rice and a nice salad *Sea Bass - the skin of the sea bass is crunchy while the inside is soft, the contrast is telling in the first bite! *Pho Ga - my mom commented on how the broth is unlike the pho you would get at the prior pho places we’ve been in! You can’t taste the msg! *Triple Garlic Noodle - grateful that there’s a lot of noodles because it had to be shared among five of us hungry family members. The garlic noodle sauce is not heavy at all *Brisket Banh Mi - generous portions. may as well be the most worth the price! We got this one to go since we noticed so many people grabbing it. We got a free Vietnamese coffee because of a coupon we found for purchases over $50. All the vegetables are incredible fresh! Flavorful, colorful, enhanced by the high ceiling. The portions for each dish is meant for one person, but my family went for attempting a family-style by sharing all our plates with each other still. It’s do-able for a fancy, celebratory family meal, and well worth it!

The wait time was normal, but the food was delicious; the servers were professional. The food was generally good and rarely disappointed. However, a few years ago their rice was mixed with oil, but now it tastes like ordinary rice. I still like it, but they could do better.

Food & Drink: We stopped in for dessert & drinks at the bar & everything was incredible. We ordered two desserts from the middle of the menu—the coffee pot de crème & another seasonal option—and both were absolutely delicious. The pot de crème was silky, rich, & full of coffee flavor without being overpowering, topped with a light whipped cream & crunchy garnish that made every bite balanced & indulgent. The second dessert was just as memorable—light, fresh, & beautifully plated. For drinks, I had the espresso martini which was one of the best I’ve ever had—smooth, frothy, with the perfect touch of sweetness. My husband ordered a tequila cocktail that was refreshing, bright, & layered with flavor. Everything paired together perfectly. Service: Service at Little Sister is always wonderful. The bartenders are knowledgeable & welcoming, taking time to make sure drinks are perfectly crafted & that desserts come out fresh. Even just popping in for a nightcap, we felt well taken care of. Ambiance & Vibe: The bar has such a great atmosphere—relaxed but lively, with a modern, stylish vibe. It’s the perfect spot for ending the night with something sweet & a great drink. Sitting at the bar has become our favorite way to enjoy this restaurant because of how comfortable & inviting it feels. Value & Price Point: For the quality of the cocktails & desserts, the prices feel completely fair. The freshness & creativity of each dish, combined with the attentive service, make it feel like an excellent value. Overall Impression & Tips: Little Sister has quickly become a favorite for us at the Spectrum. Whether you’re here for dinner or just dessert & cocktails, everything is consistently top-notch. Highly recommend saving room for dessert & treating yourself to one of their cocktails at the bar—it’s the perfect way to end the night.

I love their restaurant vibe and decorations. It’s like a high ends Vietnamese food with a little fusion in it. It’s located at Irvine Spectrum, Ca. After lunch or dinner can walk around and loose some calories lol. Love their drinks as well. Plenty of parking but since it’s summer time so it can get pack.