Helen's Rice & Noodles (CLOSED)

I was excited to find out that there was a new korean place in town, and I gave Helen's rice and noodles 2 chances, but I have been disappointed both times. The food is not authentic, it's watered down and I can't believe they charge $1 for a saucecup of kimchi. They also provide ice and cups but you have to buy the water- so in the end, you end up paying more than you would for a sit-down korean restaurant with a waiter because you have to pay for petty items. Not worth it.

I found this place in the middle of the winter. I went there every week. The hot soups were big, tasty, full of ingreedients, and came with a few free little starters and tea. They converted to self-service style, which at first blush was an improvement. But they have restructured the menu like the tax code so you have to pay $1 extra for brown rice, and $1-2 extra for protien ingreedients that were included for free. The portions have also become smaller...I could swear that they have new bowls which are smaller. If they do not return to fair size, quality, and value I will stop going.

This place used to be my favorite lunch spot. Food was really great, great portion, great value. Under $10 to get a soon dooboo (tofu soup with meat/fish), great for winter! I also tried bibimbap and liked it too. However, recently they seem renovated the place, the price went a bit higher but the food is not the same. The tofu is not soft (not fresh?), portion smaller, price up, what happened? I might go back, but just will not as frequent any more. Hope the owner will notice the difference and changed it back.

What happened?? This place was soo good and soo promising. Their Soon Doo Boo Jigae was amazing. Food was fresh and flavorful. And then something happened. The last few weeks portions began to decrease in size, and ingredients were cheaper and fewer (very little seafood in the once rich Jigae!!).

I am not a Korean aficionado, but I found this place to be quite good. While looking for a "different" lunch near Bloomingdale's, we stumbled into Helen's. We were pleasantly surprised. Good food, kind service, and reasonable prices, particularly for this neighborhood. Give it a shot.

Helen's Rice and Noodles, is such a wonderful secret dumpling of loveliness hidden among the less than impressive food options on the upper east side/ Hunter college area. I have been coming here since their opening week- when the menu was still being installed and even in that first encounter I was impressed by the kindness, warmth, and consideration of the owner and the attention to detail in the food. Delicious, food, freshly-made with high quality ingredients (their Soon DooBoo is made with shockingly high quality seafood and at less than $12 has been my main source of warmth through out the winter). Best Place EVER! Thanks Helen for making your kindness and for consistently serving good food made with care.

I love this place - so sad they don't deliver on Sundays. The vegetable dumpling ramen is to die for. Perfectly spiced with hints of sweet and savory. Lady that takes delivery orders is also very kind, patient and sweet. I change my mind a million times when I order and she is always polite and bears with me. Order from here- you won't regret it!