Kei Concepts, the restaurant group that brought us such hip places as Vox Kitchen, Ini Ristorante and Nếp Cafe, has set its sights on coffee culture with an Asian and Southeast Asian twist. Kei Coffee House grand opened last month in Westminster, and java junkies and tea tipplers are in for a treat. Here’s what to expect.
The concept
When locals think Southeast Asian and coffee, their minds will immediately turn to Vietnamese coffee houses. The trend started in Little Saigon but has extended throughout O.C. with Blk Dot and others leaping onto the bandwagon.
Chef Viet Nguyen, founder and CEO of Kei Concepts, respects that, but he sees no point in crowding the field. “We sent members of our team to the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Korea and Japan. Everywhere we go, we learn something new and then realized, OK, there's a lot of good Vietnamese coffee shops around. I feel like we're not adding anything to the community if we are opening another Vietnamese coffee shop. So, let's open a Southeast Asian coffee shop where we bring all of the Southeast Asian coffee culture.”
The look
Don’t expect tired old hippie-dippie bohemian décor. This place – approximately 4,000 square feet – is decorated in neutral colors with a spacious feel. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of light.
There are spots to lounge if you’re just grabbing coffee and a snack, as well as tables and chairs where you can sit and enjoy a light meal. Kei Coffee has a full kitchen, it’s not some grab-and-go chain, it’s an oasis to relax, meet friends and socialize.
PHOTO 1: Espresso drinks. PHOTO 2: Iced drinks in a variety of flavors. Photos courtesy of Kei Coffee House
The drinks
Of course, there’s a lineup of the usual espresso drinks including cappuccino, latte, espresso tonic and cold brew. And there are ceremonial matcha concoctions in various flavors: strawberry, corn, banana, coconut and more.
But if you want something different, try the signature drinks like Banana Toffee Latte with banana toffee sauce, oat milk, cheese foam and toffee bits – it’s a bit like a Heath bar in a cup. Or there’s the sweet corn latte with whole milk, condensed milk, corn cheese foam and corn puree. So, if you enjoy the flavors of Mexican corn porridge drinks like atole and champurrado, you’ll want to try this one.
Our favorite drinks were the ice-blended concoctions like the Triple Coconut Thai Tea. It’s rich and delicious with coconut meat, coconut water and a creamy coconut center that’s like a soft-serve ice cream that you can blend in as you drink – you’ll be as happy as a kid with an after-school Slurpee.
PHOTO 1: The corn cheese cookie. PHOTO 2: Chocolate croissants. Photos courtesy of Kei Coffee House
What to order
Don’t just get your caffeine fix and run. Make sure you have time to sample the eats. There are cookies and croissants – the laminated pastry dough is sourced from Crema – but the real draw is the selection of savory dishes. The pâté chaud is a small pastry stuffed with ground meat that reminded us of a French Canadian tourtière. The egg bites are like tiny quiches and come in Chinese pork sausage or bacon cheddar flavors. If you’re a fan of Nếp Café’s popcorn chicken, you’ll find it here too.
The pastas are really homey. Even if you’re not on a vegan diet, try the mushroom spaghetti with a creamy sauce enriched with truffle oil. Or the sweet Bolognese spaghetti, a riff on a dish Filipino moms whip up for their kids, using ketchup and sometimes, hot dogs. This one has grown-up flavors, made with ground beef and sausage.
The last word
Nguyen, who can explain how Southeast Asian trends have brought new respect to the much-maligned robusta coffee bean, is on a mission. He wants to spread the word that experiencing international trends at his coffee house might help you find a new favorite drink.
“Don't come in here and expect it's a Vietnamese coffee shop. Think of it as a world coffee shop. I want us to be the window to the other side of the globe,” Nguyen said. “Southeast Asian coffee culture is very rich. This is our job: To travel the world, and when we see something cool, bring it back here so you can try it.”
Kei Coffee House
WHEN: Regular hours: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Look for hours to extend, call ahead for the latest updates.
WHERE: 15691 Brookhurst St., Westminster
COST: Espresso drinks: $3.75-$6. Signature drinks: $6-$6.50. Matcha drinks: $5.50-$6.50. Ice blended drinks: $6.50. Pastries and cookies: $3-$5.50. Egg dishes: $5.50-$6.50. Pastas: $10-$12.
CONTACT: 714-702-5058, keicoffeehouse.com
