Little Sister

Thanks in large part to the entrepreneurialism and hard work of the world’s largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam, Orange County has an astonishing collection of Vietnamese restaurants – some known locally by name, many others nearly anonymous. The vast majority offer either limited menus focusing on a specific type or region of Vietnamese cuisine, or basic menus canvassing well-established dishes. Very few elevate Vietnamese food.

With four mostly LA-area locations and one offshoot (LSXO), Little Sister is part of a small local chain that focuses on elevated Vietnamese experiences. Orange County’s only Little Sister is at the Irvine Spectrum mall, where it occupies an atypically large and beautiful indoor space near the Apple Store.

Unlike LSXO, which unapologetically blares uncensored old school hip hop in its compact dining room overlooking the ocean, and includes some surprising dishes, Little Sister provides more of a calm and sophisticated environment with a predictable menu. For instance, a classic Vietnamese bo tai chanh beef salad, the increasingly standard shaky shaky beef, and basic spring rolls with either shrimp and pork or grilled nem nuong pork fillings, plus crispy banh xeo crepes, phos, and banh mi sandwiches. From a menu perspective, the most elevated and atypical savory items we found were a salmon crudo with coconut lime chili vinaigrette, and a sesame sourdough baguette with pate and European butter, the latter a nod to Vietnam’s French influences.