Lululala
New York, USA
Discover Lululala, a top-rated Korean restaurant at 139 Hester St, NYC. Enjoy affordable dining, popular spicy squid kimbap, quick bites, and great reviews.
139 Hester St, New York, NY 10002, United States
Lululala
New York, USA
Overview
Lululala is a cozy Korean restaurant located at 139 Hester St in New York’s vibrant Chinatown. Known for its casual atmosphere and quick counter service, this spot offers a fresh take on classic Korean comfort food. The menu features a variety of rice bowls, kimbap, and small plates perfect for a satisfying solo meal or a quick bite on the go.
With a rating of 4.7 from nearly 200 reviews, Lululala stands out for its flavorful offerings and affordable prices, most items ranging between $1 and $10. While seating is limited, the welcoming environment and friendly service make it an ideal stop to enjoy a tasty Korean lunch or dinner without breaking the bank.
Gallery
Real shots of the food, atmosphere, and signature dishes at this location.
Local favorites
Visitors appreciate Lululala for its authentic Korean flavors, casual atmosphere, and affordable prices right in the heart of New York’s Chinatown.
Food is served fast with onsite takeout and counter service options, perfect for a 15-45 minute visit during lunch or dinner.
With a 4.7 rating from 188 reviews, the menu features fresh, well-seasoned rice bowls and the popular spicy squid kimbap.
The casual setting caters to solo diners, tourists, and families, offering a welcoming place good for kids and quick bites.
Most dishes range between $1 and $10, providing excellent value for flavorful Korean comfort food in Chinatown.
Situated at 139 Hester St, easy access near Grand St station with free street parking and paid parking options nearby.
The menu offers a balance of healthy options and comforting small plates, ideal for a nutritious quick meal.
Experience
Experience authentic Korean flavors in a casual setting perfect for quick meals and solo dining.
Customers often appreciate the speedy counter service and fresh ingredients, making it a favored spot for a fulfilling meal between errands or a laid-back lunch break in the heart of Chinatown. — FoodPlacee editorial note
Ideal for grabbing a quick and healthy rice bowl or flavorful kimbap during a busy workday. Counter service ensures minimal wait time.
Perfect for individuals seeking a delicious, satisfying meal without the fuss of table service or long waits.
The compact space is tailored for takeaway, so ordering to enjoy fresh Korean comfort food elsewhere is convenient and quick.
When craving a tasty, casual dinner, Lululala offers satisfying portions of fried chicken rice bowls and kimbap in a relaxed atmosphere.
Free street parking and paid options nearby make it easy to visit, despite limited wheelchair accessible parking availability.
Guest sentiment
A snapshot of what local diners frequently mention about this location.
"No idea if this whimsical name means anything in Korean. The place is tiny, barely enough room to squeeze in 2 nightstand-sized tables on each side of the door, with 2 stools at each. The window sill on each side of the door can double as benches but they are way too tall of the tables. Nevertheless, it's better than no table at all as this place is mainly for takeout's. We really appreciate the air conditioning and not having to eat on the street. Menu is simple -- rice bowls and kimbaps are the main offerings, plus a few sides such as fish cakes and banchan. For rice bowls there are 5 choices of protein: beef, pork, chicken, fried chicken, and fried tofu. "Chicken" is grilled chicken and "fried chicken" are the bite-size boneless chicken. We all picked small fried chicken rice bowls for $7. I am not sure the difference between $10 for large serving or $3 for extra chicken, but you do have these upgrade options. The spicy version simply adds drizzles of sweet chili sauce which I highly recommend. It's like something between General Tsao's and Orange chicken, but unlike Chinese dishes, the Korean spin comes with salad green which is both healthy and refreshing. Taste & serving size were both on point, and with the $7 price tag this is a steal. The same dish at a Korean food court such as Rice Boy would cost about $12. Highly recommended for a quick meal on the go."
"Korean Spot in the heart of Chinatown, Hester and Chrystie. 2 small tables for mostly a quick bite and take out. Very fairly priced Korean dishes, and they have a small and large on most items. The food isn't KTown level, but if you're hankering for Korean food, and you're in CTown, it will hit the spot."
"I have visited 3 times now and each time I have been satisfied with my orders. I especially appreciate that I'm recognized when I enter the restaurant. Thank you once again for the good service. Even though I was the last customer of the evening. Heyyyy my fried chicken bowl was a little light this time. But that's okay. I'm still going back."
"Small but great korean rice bowl spot near the Grand St station and Chinatown. Ideal as a neighborhood takeout spot. They have a good selection of different proteins for rice bowls, and they also sell other savory snacks like kimbap. They also use halal chicken for their chicken-based menu items which was a nice surprise. Food was fresh and delicious, and good overall value. Staff were very friendly and food came out relatively fast. Please remember to bring cash with you!!"
"Amazing. Got the large fried chicken with rice 10/10. The staff were very friendly as well. Highly recommend"
"If you are craving tasty, nutritious Korean food at an affordable price, this might be the best place in NYC. $7 fried chicken rice bowl with salad + $3 kimchi. The chicken was especially flavorful with the kimchi. Keep in mind this is a small place with very little seating, so you'll likely need to take it to go. Highly recommend"
"The space may be small but they have huge flavors and Enormous portions! You really get a bang for your buck here. The food is fresh crisp and juicy. Made to order rice bowls! It’s giving Korean chipotle. I do not like kimbop or the concept of it because I want raw fish on my rice and nori, but i had only tasted kimbop from frozen food aisles in different Asian markets and Trader Joe’s. That was a big no for me until I tasted it here! I was so very hesitant to even try it…. I ended up eating half it was sooooo good, and no I was not starving! Fresh ingredients, the meat was well seasoned. The rice bowls overflowed and we ate 3 big portions out of it! Such great fried chicken with gentle notes of citrus and oregano! Savory decadent and fresh!!!! We are going back to get that chicken sandwich!"
"SERVICE I will start with service. The service was excellent, fast and very kind. I felt like I was being valued as a customer! I'd love to come back here. FOOD I ordered the Fried Chicken Rice Bowl, it retails for $10 because I ordered the big one. If you don't eat too much (like me lol) you can buy the smallest, it retails for $7 and sodas around $2. The food was amazing, it was delicious, the taste is good and I loved my dish, I wish they could accept card as a payment method to buy more than one. IN GENERAL The location is good, not hard to find and it is near from Brooklyn Bridge. The restaurant is a little bit small, there's not too much space for you to stop and eat there, you can, but if you have luck you can take a table and enjoy your food inside. They only accept cash, so, don't forget your cash if you want to taste their delicious food! I came from Honduras to taste their dishes and I loved it, worth it!!!"
Visit info
Weekly hours below — always confirm with the business before holidays or special events.
| Monday | 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
| Thursday | 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
| Friday | 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM |
Lululala is open daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, making lunchtime and early dinner ideal for a quick, satisfying Korean meal.
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Menus, prices, hours, services, and availability may change. Please contact the food place directly before visiting or ordering.