At the new Kei Coffee House in Orange County, California. All images courtesy o f Kei Concepts.
Kei Concepts, the Southern California hospitality group behind numerous restaurant brands, has opened its first coffee-focused concept, Kei Coffee House.
The coffee program inside the spacious standalone coffee shop in Westminster was created to blend “modern coffee trends from the West with rich traditions from Asia and Southeast Asia,” according to the restaurant group.
Kei Concepts has found success offering buzzy modernized approaches to other Asian and Southeast Asian cuisines through restaurants such as Súp Noodle Bar, Vox Kitchen, and Nếp Cafe. Yet while those and other restaurants within the Kei portfolio tend to focus on specific regional Asian cuisines or ingredients, the coffee concept promises a broader reach by interpreting drinks from throughout Asia.
“This venture is as much about discovery for us as it is for our guests,” Kei Concepts Founder and CEO Viet Nguyen said in an announcement of the soft opening shared with DCN. “Ultimately, Kei Coffee House is where the East meets the West, bringing a new dimension to the coffee culture in Orange County.”
The group told DCN that the menu and coffee program were led by Viet Nguyen, Kei Corporate R&D Chef Vu Tran, Corporate Pastry Chef Amanda On and Assistant Concept Development Manager Kelly Vroom.
The coffee menu will include both Arabica and Robusta offerings through a supply partnership with Long Beach-based specialty roasting company Common Room Roasters. Espresso is passing through Mahlkönig grinders and a Slayer espresso machine, while other beverage types include teas, blended beverages and sparkling refreshers.
Signature monthly specials will highlight popular Southeast Asian flavors like coconut, pandan, Thai banana and sweet potato, while fresh pastries are baked on site daily.
Occupying a whopping 4,000 square feet, the shop is also intended to host community gatherings, music and other cultural events.
“While the U.S. has seen a rise in trendy, well-designed coffee shops, we add our own twist by incorporating aspects of coffee culture found in Asia,” Nguyen said. “This includes a focus on ambiance, service, music, and an overall experience that is more than just about coffee.”
Kei Coffee House is located at 15687 Brookhurst St. in Westminster, California. Tell DCN’s editors about your new coffee shop or roastery here.
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Nick Brown
Nick Brown is the editor of Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine.
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