Kei Coffee House in Fountain Valley, CA: What to Expect
Vietnamese coffee and matchas are a staple
Assorted pastries including the famous corn and cheese cookie
Longanisa breakfast burrito
“Start Your Day With Intention,” reads the bold sign outside Kei Coffee House in Fountain Valley, California.
A high level of intention is reflected throughout the space of Kei Concepts’ newest addition, from the clean, minimalist aesthetic to the diverse and flavorful menu. The 4,000-square-foot space has quickly become a haven for coffee lovers, pastry enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a relaxed spot to catch up with friends or power through a study session.
The Kei Coffee House drink menu draws inspiration from across Asia. The Vietnamese coffee offers a bold, sweet introduction to the category, while the Japanese matcha drinks are a crowd favorite.
Pastries here aren’t an afterthought—they’re crafted with just as much care as the beverages. The cookies, in particular, are outstanding; if they haven’t won awards yet, they probably should.
Read on as Kei Coffee House proprietor Viet Nguyen shares what makes Kei Coffee House stand out from the crowd.
Viet Nguyen, Chef-Owner of Kei Concepts
Kei Concepts is known for your many successful table service restaurants. What inspired you to pursue a coffee concept?
After years of building table-service restaurants, we wanted to create something that was part of people’s everyday rhythm. Coffee made sense, but not just any coffee. We’ve always had a strong connection to Asian coffee culture, which is incredibly diverse and underrepresented here. There’s this concept called the Valeriepieris Circle: a region in Asia that holds over half the world’s population, and yet its influence is barely visible in most American coffee menus. We wanted to help change that. To bring those flavors and that energy to Southern California in a way that feels modern but rooted.
How did you approach the design of the venue?
We leaned into the “house” in Kei Coffee House. We wanted it to feel like home—warm, open, and easy to settle into. Every wall is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the space with natural light. High ceilings, clean materials, and thoughtful furniture make it feel calm but welcoming. Whether you’re there for five minutes or two hours, the space adapts to you.
What was the inspiration behind the sign outside that says “Start Your Day With Intention”?
It’s a huge sign, hard to miss as you come down Brookhurst. Most shops would’ve just put their logo up there, but we wanted something that actually meant something. We see coffee as more than just a product. It’s a daily ritual. That message felt more meaningful than branding. It's a reminder to move through your day with purpose.
Which menu items would you recommend for first time guests?
The Banana Toffee and Sweet Corn drinks—available with either coffee or matcha—are great intros. They’re unique, easy to enjoy, and rooted in Asian coffee culture. If you’re into frapp-style drinks, our coconut blends are a solid pick too. On the food side, the Popcorn Chicken is one of our most popular snacks, and the breakfast burrito is honestly one of the best in the area. But there’s more than people expect: baked goods, egg salad sandwiches, even Filipino-style pasta. It’s a coffee shop with talented baristas, but you can tell there are chefs in the kitchen.
Can you tell us more about how you approached designing the menu?
We spent time traveling in Asia—from Vietnam to Korea—researching how people drink coffee and what flavors speak to them. Then we built something that brings those flavors forward in a way that fits our space and our guests. Nothing’s there just to be different. It has to taste good and feel intentional.
What do you hope visitors will take away from a visit to Kei Coffee House?
We want people to walk out thinking, “That was really good—I haven’t had something like that before.” That’s the goal. We’re not trying to reinvent coffee, but we do want to show what’s possible when you approach it from a different perspective. More than anything, we want Kei to feel like part of your routine. A place that’s comfortable, consistent, and worth coming back to.
Any other information you want to share with readers?
There’s always something new brewing. We’re constantly experimenting with drinks, food, and ways to keep the experience fresh. The goal is to keep evolving without losing what made it special in the first place.
Key Info
Address: 15691 Brookhurst St, Westminster, CA 92683
