Our History
Kei Concepts started as a small team with a big goal: to celebrate culture, community, and innovation. Led by AAPI founders and women in key roles, each step forward reflects our roots and our commitment to building something meaningful. Kei Concepts is more than just restaurants—it’s about creating spaces we’re proud to share with our community.
Rol Hand Roll Bar - Fountain Valley
Following the success of our culinary ventures, ROL Hand Roll Bar proudly opened its second location in Fountain Valley, just a short distance from the original.
Nep Cafe - Irvine
After reigning as Fountain Valley's favorite brunch destination, NEP Cafe brings its French-Vietnamese cuisine to Irvine, along with the introduction of a long-awaited dinner service. This is a significant milestone for us, extending our commitment to offer exquisite flavors and culinary craftsmanship from morning to evening.
Gem Dining
Gem Dining's brief hiatus represents a strategic rethinking, a pause to recalibrate and innovate, ensuring that when we return, it's with an experience that integrates newness with our foundational values.
Kei Supper Club
As Kei Concepts grows, so does our understanding of our clientele's needs. With the introduction of the Kei Concepts Family Friendly Initiative, we're ensuring dining is an inclusive and enjoyable experience for every family member.
2023
Rol Hand Roll Bar - Fountain Valley
Following the success of our culinary ventures, ROL Hand Roll Bar proudly opened its second location in Fountain Valley, just a short distance from the original.
Nep Cafe - Irvine
After reigning as Fountain Valley's favorite brunch destination, NEP Cafe brings its French-Vietnamese cuisine to Irvine, along with the introduction of a long-awaited dinner service. This is a significant milestone for us, extending our commitment to offer exquisite flavors and culinary craftsmanship from morning to evening.
Gem Dining
Gem Dining's brief hiatus represents a strategic rethinking, a pause to recalibrate and innovate, ensuring that when we return, it's with an experience that integrates newness with our foundational values.
2023
Rol Hand Roll Bar - Fountain Valley
Following the success of our culinary ventures, ROL Hand Roll Bar proudly opened its second location in Fountain Valley, just a short distance from the original.
Nep Cafe - Irvine
After reigning as Fountain Valley's favorite brunch destination, NEP Cafe brings its French-Vietnamese cuisine to Irvine, along with the introduction of a long-awaited dinner service. This is a significant milestone for us, extending our commitment to offer exquisite flavors and culinary craftsmanship from morning to evening.
2023
Rol Hand Roll Bar - Fountain Valley
Following the success of our culinary ventures, ROL Hand Roll Bar proudly opened its second location in Fountain Valley, just a short distance from the original.
2023
SUP Noodle Bar
Buena Park
In 2014, Buena Park, Orange County, was the stage where co-founder and CEO, Viet Nguyen, reimagined pho at Súp Noodle Bar, while Founding Partner, Neo Du, elevated front-of-house hospitality. The following year, Ivy Ha, our current CEO, began her leadership journey as a manager at SUP Noodle Bar.
2014
Pango Taqueria
Intent on bringing something special to Little Saigon, Viet and Neo brought a vision to life with Pango Taqueria in Fountain Valley with the help of Chef Edward Huang, where, despite the hurdles, proved to be a notable chapter in the company's history.
Fountain Valley
2016
VOX Kitchen
Fountain Valley
The lessons learned from Pango's establishment led to the inception of The Vox Kitchen in 2017, quickly establishing itself as a fusion food haven.
SUP Noodle Bar
The demand for SUP Noodle Bar's distinctive flavors led to the opening of another location in Cerritos, showcasing our growing customer base's enthusiasm.
Cerritos
SUP Noodle Bar
Torrance
In 2016, Kei Concepts had the opportunity to collaborate with the H-mart food court for six months. This Sup Noodle Bar location served as a valuable learning experience for his team and has remained one of his favorite pop-up experiences to date.
2017
Kei HQ
Huntington Beach
Alongside our restaurant expansions, Kei Concepts HQ has relocated from a modest space in Fountain Valley to a more spacious location in Huntington Beach, reflecting our continued growth and evolution.
2018
GEM Dining
Fountain Valley
In August 2019, Kei Concepts opened Gem Dining, our first dip into the upscale dining scene. At the time of its opening, it was regarded by food critics as “the most impressive non-Vietnamese restaurant in Little Saigon ever.” With Chef Edward's expertise, it eventually earned a spot in the 2022 Michelin Guide.
2019
NEP Cafe
Fountain Valley
As the pandemic continued, August 2020 saw NEP Cafe bringing comfort to the community with nostalgic Vietnamese-French coffee and brunch, a nod to the traditional Vietnamese mornings that many longed for during uncertain times.
SUP Noodle Bar
That same month, our adaptability was once again on display as SUP Noodle Bar received a warm welcome at its new Irvine location, demonstrating our brand's growing appeal and resilience.
Irvine
2020 was the year that flipped the world upside down. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant industry suffered immensely; Kei Concepts knew that there were only two options: standby and suffer irreparable damage, or power through and emerge stronger than ever before - naturally, they chose the latter.
2020
ROL Hand Roll Bar
Huntington Beach
In August 2021, Kei Concepts tapped into the hand roll trend, transforming a space within five weeks to launch OC's first hand-roll-focused eatery, a testament to our team's rapid innovation.
KIN Izakaya
Fountain Valley
By October 2021, KIN, which began as a pop-up two years prior, opened its flagship location, fully embodying Kei Concepts' vision and offering a broad spectrum of izakaya dishes.
2021
Kei Concepts HQ
Alongside our restaurant expansions, Kei Concepts HQ also began in a modest space in Fountain Valley, symbolizing our growing roots.
2018
INI Ristorante
Fountain Valley
June 2022 marked another innovation with Ini Ristorante, bringing Japanese-inspired Italian cuisine to Little Saigon for the first time, further enriching Fountain Valley's culinary scene.
Saigon Grand Center
Fountain Valley
Branching out, KEI Events began crafting memorable experiences, blending creativity with high-quality production. This year, we've extended our reach through speaking engagements and podcasts, creating unforgettable moments and reinforcing our brand's impact.
2022
Gem Dining
In August 2019, Kei Concepts opened Gem Dining, our first dip into the upscale dining scene. At the time of its opening, it was regarded by food critics as “the most impressive non-Vietnamese restaurant in Little Saigon ever.” With Chef Edward's expertise, it eventually earned a spot in the 2022 Michelin Guide.
2019
Sup Noodle Bar - Buena Park
In 2014, Buena Park, Orange County, was the stage where co-founder and CEO, Viet Nguyen, reimagined pho at Súp Noodle Bar, while Founding Partner, Neo Du, elevated front-of-house hospitality. The following year, Ivy Ha, our current CEO, began her leadership journey as a manager at SUP Noodle Bar.
2014
Kei Coffee House
Westminster
Kei Coffee House blends the best of global coffee culture with a welcoming atmosphere in the heart of Little Saigon. From handcrafted coffee and specialty drinks to freshly baked pastries made in-house, we’re all about creating an inviting space where everyone feels at home.
ROL Hand Roll Bar
ROL Hand Roll Bar has made its way to Irvine! Our third location has been a long time coming, and we're thrilled to bring our signature hand rolls, rice bowls, and more to this vibrant community.
Irvine
New Endeavors
Here’s to the past chapters that have shaped us and the blank pages ahead, ready for the next steps in our journey of growth and opportunity.
2024
Nep Cafe
As the pandemic continued, August 2020 saw NEP Cafe bringing comfort to the community with nostalgic Vietnamese-French coffee and brunch, a nod to the traditional Vietnamese mornings that many longed for during uncertain times.
SUP IRVINE
That same month, our adaptability was once again on display as SUP Noodle Bar received a warm welcome at its new Irvine location, demonstrating our brand's growing appeal and resilience.
2020
2020 was the year that flipped the world upside down. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant industry suffered immensely; Kei Concepts knew that there were only two options: standby and suffer irreparable damage, or power through and emerge stronger than ever before - naturally, they chose the latter.
2016
Pango Taqueria
Intent on bringing something special to Little Saigon, Viet and Neo brought a vision to life with Pango Taqueria in Fountain Valley with the help of Chef Edward Huang, where, despite the hurdles, proved to be a notable chapter in the company's history.
ROL
In August 2021, Kei Concepts tapped into the hand roll trend, transforming a space within five weeks to launch OC's first hand-roll-focused eatery, a testament to our team's rapid innovation.
KIN
By October 2021, KIN, which began as a pop-up two years prior, opened its flagship location, fully embodying Kei Concepts' vision and offering a broad spectrum of izakaya dishes.
2021
2017
The Vox Kitchen - Fountain Valley
The lessons learned from Pango's establishment led to the inception of The Vox Kitchen in 2017, quickly establishing itself as a fusion food haven.
Sup Noodle Bar - Cerritos
The demand for SUP Noodle Bar's distinctive flavors led to the opening of another location in Cerritos, showcasing our growing customer base's enthusiasm.
Sup Noodle Bar - Torrance
In 2016, Kei Concepts had the opportunity to collaborate with the H-mart food court for six months. This Sup Noodle Bar location served as a valuable learning experience for his team and has remained one of his favorite pop-up experiences to date.
ROL Hand Roll Bar
Fountain Valley
Following the success of our culinary ventures, ROL Hand Roll Bar proudly opened its second location in Fountain Valley, just a short distance from the original.
NEP Cafe
Irvine
After reigning as Fountain Valley's favorite brunch destination, NEP Cafe brings its French-Vietnamese cuisine to Irvine, along with the introduction of a long-awaited dinner service. This is a significant milestone for us, extending our commitment to offer exquisite flavors and culinary craftsmanship from morning to evening.
GEM Dining
Gem Dining's brief hiatus represents a strategic rethinking, a pause to recalibrate and innovate, ensuring that when we return, it's with an experience that integrates newness with our foundational values.
Kei Supper Club
As Kei Concepts grows, so does our understanding of our clientele's needs. With the introduction of the Kei Concepts Family Friendly Initiative, we're ensuring dining is an inclusive and enjoyable experience for every family member.
2023
Kei Coffee House
Westminster
Kei Coffee House blends the best of global coffee culture with a welcoming atmosphere in the heart of Little Saigon. From handcrafted coffee and specialty drinks to freshly baked pastries made in-house, we’re all about creating an inviting space where everyone feels at home.
ROL Hand Roll Bar
Irvine
ROL Hand Roll Bar has made its way to Irvine! Our third location has been a long time coming, and we're thrilled to bring our signature hand rolls, rice bowls, and more to this vibrant community.
2024
New Endeavors
Here’s to the past chapters that have shaped us and the blank pages ahead, ready for the next steps in our journey of growth and opportunity.
INI
June 2022 marked another innovation with Ini Ristorante, bringing Japanese-inspired Italian cuisine to Little Saigon for the first time, further enriching Fountain Valley's culinary scene.
SGC
Branching out, KEI Events began crafting memorable experiences, blending creativity with high-quality production. This year, we've extended our reach through speaking engagements and podcasts, creating unforgettable moments and reinforcing our brand's impact.
2022
Rol Hand Roll Bar - Fountain Valley
Following the success of our culinary ventures, ROL Hand Roll Bar proudly opened its second location in Fountain Valley, just a short distance from the original.
Nep Cafe - Irvine
After reigning as Fountain Valley's favorite brunch destination, NEP Cafe brings its French-Vietnamese cuisine to Irvine, along with the introduction of a long-awaited dinner service. This is a significant milestone for us, extending our commitment to offer exquisite flavors and culinary craftsmanship from morning to evening.
Gem Dining
Gem Dining's brief hiatus represents a strategic rethinking, a pause to recalibrate and innovate, ensuring that when we return, it's with an experience that integrates newness with our foundational values.
Kei Supper Club
As Kei Concepts grows, so does our understanding of our clientele's needs. With the introduction of the Kei Concepts Family Friendly Initiative, we're ensuring dining is an inclusive and enjoyable experience for every family member.
2023
Kei Coffee House
Kei Coffee House blends the best of global coffee culture with a welcoming atmosphere in the heart of Little Saigon. From handcrafted coffee and specialty drinks to freshly baked pastries made in-house, we’re all about creating an inviting space where everyone feels at home.
ROL Hand Roll Bar - Irvine
ROL Hand Roll Bar has made its way to Irvine! Our third location has been a long time coming, and we're thrilled to bring our signature hand rolls, rice bowls, and more to this vibrant community.
2024
New Endeavors
Here’s to the past chapters that have shaped us and the blank pages ahead, ready for the next steps in our journey of growth and opportunity.
2025
NEP Cafe
Fountain Valley
As the pandemic continued, August 2020 saw NEP Cafe bringing comfort to the community with nostalgic Vietnamese-French coffee and brunch, a nod to the traditional Vietnamese mornings that many longed for during uncertain times.
SUP Noodle Bar
That same month, our adaptability was once again on display as SUP Noodle Bar received a warm welcome at its new Irvine location, demonstrating our brand's growing appeal and resilience.
Irvine
2020
2020 was the year that flipped the world upside down. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant industry suffered immensely; Kei Concepts knew that there were only two options: standby and suffer irreparable damage, or power through and emerge stronger than ever before - naturally, they chose the latter.