Kei Concepts has opened its newest concept, QUA Contemporary Chinese Cuisine, in Fountain Valley. This distinctive restaurant stands apart in the Kei Concepts family. Chef and founder Viet Nguyen created QUA as a tribute to family, memory and the flavors that shaped his life.
“For years, I created what people asked for,” says Nguyen. “This time, I’m sharing something from my own life. These are the dishes I grew up eating — meals shared with family, neighbors, and friends. The flavors that shaped me.”
QUA honors Nguyen’s grandmother, Vũ Thị Lan, who raised ten children on her own after fleeing Northern Vietnam. Her simple, nourishing meals are the inspiration behind the restaurant’s warm approach to dining. Her values of resilience, care, and togetherness guide everything QUA serves.
The menu draws from Chợ Lớn, Saigon’s historic Chinatown, blending Chinese cuisine with Vietnamese influence. Dishes are served banquet style to encourage conversation and sharing. The menu has two parts: Vietnamese Chinese staples such as roast meats, oyster pancakes, hủ tiếu noodles, and Hainanese chicken rice, along with a rotating selection called Grandma Vũ’s Menu that highlights dishes she once cooked for her family.
An inventive cocktail program and seasonal pantry items, including mooncakes, Tết sticky rice cakes, saté paste, kaya jam, and dessert kits, complement the menu and story.
With 9,000 square feet, 15 foot ceilings, and seating for nearly 190 guests, QUA is designed for lively gatherings. A 32 seat bar forms the energy of the room with private dining spaces and a patio surrounding it. Award winning HBA led the interior design with botanical textures, jewel tones, and Nguyen’s family photographs that celebrate everyday life and heritage.
In Vietnamese, QUA means “to overcome,” a reflection of resilience and cultural identity.
“This isn’t about business strategy,” Nguyen says. “It’s a love letter to my parents — and to anyone who knows what home tastes like.”
Kei Concepts, the Orange County group behind SÚP Noodle Bar, VOX Kitchen, NEP Cafe, and more, continues to push pan Asian dining forward while building community and supporting local innovation.
Wednesday through Sunday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
16121 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley. (657) 300-8391
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