Little Sister restaurant in Manhattan Beach

A Vietnamese crepe, ban xeo, at Little Sister in Manhattan Beach. The crepe is stuffed with pork belly, prawns and bean sprouts and served with greens and sauce. Little Sister opened in July 2013 and serves Asian food. The restaurant is co-owned by chef Tin Vuong. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Jan. 9, 2014 3:28 PM PT

Nem nuong, grilled pork spring rolls with red leaf lettuce, mint, carrots and cucumber. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Duck sate, with caramelized pear, walnuts and gingered tamarind dressing. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Eddie Kim, left, prepares an appetizer. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Lyrics from a song by the band Fugazi decorate a wall at Little Sister. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

The restaurant is a little dimly lighted, perhaps, but buzzy and cheerful, with candles in Mason jars. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Waitress Jessica Kinoshita, left, serves a table at Little Sister. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

A group raises their glasses for a toast. (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)