Lululala | Your Go-To Korean Eatery in NYCs Chinatown

Overview

Lululala is a modest Korean eatery nestled in the vibrant heart of Chinatown at 139 Hester Street, New York. This small spot caters perfectly to those seeking an affordable, quick bite with authentic flavors that echo traditional Korean comfort food. The space itself is compact, offering only a handful of tables and stools, making it ideal for takeout or a brief sit-down meal rather than a lingering dining experience.

The menu is intentionally concise, emphasizing classic Korean staples like kimbap and rice bowls. Among the highlights, the Spicy Squid Kimbap stands out with its fresh preparation and bold flavors, despite a slightly delicate texture. Another crowd favorite is the Bulgogi and the fried chicken rice bowl, praised for generous portions and a satisfying balance of sweet and savory notes. The fried chicken especially delivers a crispy, chunky bite, often enhanced by a drizzle of their signature sweet chili sauce, adding a nuanced Korean twist that sets it apart from other fast-casual options.

Patrons appreciate the straightforward, no-frills experience that focuses on quality and speed. The staff maintain a calm efficiency even during busier times, though the small size and limited seating can lead to a shared space feeling quite bustling. While no restrooms are available, the convenient location near the Bowery and Canal Street subway stations makes Lululala easily accessible for workers, students, and locals in need of a flavorful yet uncomplicated meal.

This spot is built for those who prioritize value and taste over ambiance. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or takeout, especially for lovers of Korean cuisine who may not have the time for extended dining or the budget for more upscale Korean restaurants. With its carefully curated menu, Lululala delivers well-executed classics that hit the mark in flavor and portion size—an inviting choice to satisfy a hunger for genuine Korean street food in the heart of downtown Manhattan.

Menu Highlights

See Full Menu

Amenities & Services

Popular for

Lunch

Dinner

Solo dining

Offerings

Comfort food

Healthy options

Quick bite

Atmosphere

Casual

What Customers Say

Sophia He

Dec 3,2025

5/5

my friend and i came here and devoured our food in 20 minutes. we ordered a fried chicken and pork rice bowl, each for $7, and it came out immediately. they were sweet and salty, so delicious! would def recommend this place.

K VC

Dec 3,2025

5/5

Can't go wrong with the bowls here. Prices are low for the amount you get. With salad and rice. The fried chicken has chunky, crispy and flavorful pieces. The container had to be kept open bec. couldn't close the lid, also to keep crunchiness. Can make your orders spicy with the sauce they add, which we did for the pork and we liked it. Prepared kimbaps were on the counter but the squid was freshly prepared. Banchans are also sold in 3 sizes. Too bad there was no more fried anchovy bec. worth it at $5 for a pint-sized container. Will pass on the macaroni salad though. We got lucky getting the only 2 tables there (can seat 6-7 total) bec. the line got longer after. The food took a while to come out (they called out when orders were ready). A few people were standing indoors while waiting, so got crowded. Staff were busy but calm. No restrooms. Near Bowery train stop (Grand St) and a walk from Canal St stations.

George Fine

Dec 3,2025

4/5

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.

Jamie L

Dec 3,2025

4/5

I stopped by for a quick takeout lunch and tried the squid kimbap. It was solid, but it didn’t hold together too well and fell apart. Great flavors though. The menu is small with only a few items to choose from, but everything is super affordable. My coworker ordered the fried chicken rice bowl, which came with a generous portion and big pieces of chicken and a ton of rice, all for just $10. Definitely worth it. I’d come back to try more items on the menu for sure.

David H

Dec 3,2025

5/5

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.

bobwho1995

Dec 3,2025

5/5

Got the small chicken bowl, $7. Good amount of fried Chicken pieces, little side salad, underneath the rice. Chicken still had a bit of crunch, sauce was a bit sweet, savory, and spicy. Overall a 8/10.

Anmarie Mercedes

Dec 3,2025

5/5

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!

Jen L

Dec 3,2025

5/5

$7 for a rice bowl where they do not skimp on the protein is a HIT! The owner packed my rice bowl to the point where it could not close and she had to Saran Wrap it. There was a good amount of rice, salad, and fried chicken ratio. The fried chicken has the perfect crisp to it and it was well seasoned. I was extremely satiated and satisfied with the food, even though I shared the bowl with a friend. One thing that I was not a fan of was the soy sauce drizzled on the rice. It was very salty but overall, solid place. Also, this is owned by the nice lady who owns Tofu Tofu! She's so sweet and cares deeply about her customers— so, I'll always be supporting!