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.
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
Fountain Valley
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.
2016
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.
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.
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.
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
SUP Noodle Bar
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.
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.
2020
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.
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.
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.
2021
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.
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.
2022
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.
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.
Kei Supper Club
Kei Supper Club was an intimate, reservation-only dining experience that brought together our best culinary team to craft elevated, multi-course dishes inspired by global travel and our other creative concepts.
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
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.
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.
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.
QUA
Fountain Valley - Now Soft Open!
QUA invites you to indulge in a unique dining experience that merges the best of traditional Chinese cuisine with contemporary flair. Our approach is to curate a diverse menu that reflects the rich tapestry of flavors while incorporating modern cooking techniques. We prioritize quality and creativity, ensuring that each dish not only delights the palate but also creates a memorable experience. Step into QUA and immerse yourself in a world where love for food meets culinary innovation!
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VOX Kitchen & Bar
South Coast Plaza
We’re bringing everything you love about VOX—bold flavors, crafted cocktails, and a welcoming vibe—to the heart of South Coast Plaza. This location features a vibrant bar and open-air patio, perfect for gathering over shared plates, drinks, and good company.
2025
The Vox Kitchen
Nep Cafe
Kin Izakaya
INI Ristorante
The Vox Kitchen
INI Ristorante
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