Sofun noodle bar

After a couple failed attempts we finally got around to try this neighborhood noodle bar. Bright and clean inside but really tiny place with just a few small tables. Service was good and food came out pretty quick. From the small menu we tried the Stinky Tofu which was pretty good, crispy skin and tasty. I ordered the Signature Lu Fen and my hubby had the Beef Brisket Rice Noodle. Both Hunan flavor noodles were not bad and I like the texture of the noodle. Although you can choose the level of spiciness but I still found the mild quite spicy.

This is a nice space but it's small. I didn't have issues getting seated and food served quickly. It's a casual eat and the food feels authentic and unique in its flavor. I liked the signature Lu Fen and Century egg salad. We also ordered the beef brisket rice noodles and garlic short rib. I didn't expect the beef brisket rice noodles to be super tangy which threw me off. The short ribs were a miss as well. The portion size is smaller than I expected for the price which was my biggest complaint since my partner and I was still hungry after we ate. otherwise, I think the overall food, setting, and aesthetic are very comfortable.

Reasonably priced Asian food in LIC, we enjoyed: - century eggs eggplant - fried rice noodles - stinky tofu (acquired taste, allegedly) But popcorn chicken was too dry, the signature noodles were mediocre. Good quick eats place, wouldn’t go out of our way to come though.

Came by with a friend for lunch on a rainy Saturday afternoon. It's a bit further away from the busier parts of LIC, and coupled with the weather, I guess people were less keen on venturing too far, so my friend and I were the only diners in the restaurant while we were there. (There was a steady stream of takeout orders though.) The interior is actually quite nicely designed, the decor feels very modern and clean, and while there aren't actually that many seats available, it does feel quite spacious. I ordered the beef brisket rice noodle. My first reaction when it was served was that the portion size looked massive - and indeed it was! Halfway through I was already feeling a bit full, and it honestly looked like there was still another meal's worth of noodles. The rice noodles were not bad, a little bit softer that I'd have liked, but tasty nonetheless. The brisket was good, but I didn't like how a lot of the meat was tendon (I'm sure for some people that is a good thing haha). The broth was lovely - very fragrant and authentically sour (!) - and not as spicy as had expected. My friend had the signature lu fen, which was also delicious. All the toppings came in very generous portions and the flavour throughout was excellent. Price point was very good considering the portion size, and overall our meals were very yummy. I'd love to have the chance to give some of their appetisers and dim sum (?) menu items a try next time.

We tried their Signature Lu Fen and Pepper Pork Rice noodles. They were so flavorful and the noodles had the right texture. And for those with a sweet tooth, the durian puff pastry and fried Pumpkin ball are a must-try! We will be coming back for more. Highly recommended! Follow me for more on IG @spinx17 Featured⤵️ -Signature Lu Fen -Pepper & Pork Rice Noodle -Crab Meat Soup Dumping -Black Salted Egg Custard Bun -Durian Puff Pastry -Fried Pumpkin Ball

I recently went for the rice noodles and was thoroughly impressed. The dishes, including lufen, stinky tofu, and spicy crawfish, were very authentic and flavorful, truly reminiscent of my hometown. The restaurant’s atmosphere was welcoming, and the service was excellent. Highly recommend for anyone craving genuine and delicious Hunan cuisine.

Excellent Chinese noodles and dim sum. Lu Fen was flavorful and spicy, noodles cooked well. Pork buns were classic. Small spot, but is right on an outdoor pavilion. Highly recommend!

Very vibrant & creative flavors in a really well done way!! Staff was so kind and informative, they made very sure that we as a new customer was well informed about the distinct flavors if you’ve never tried them before. Ask lots of questions and you will not be disappointed 😍 I will say, some of the garlic and ginger was extremely strong so if you don’t like it that way make sure to let them know because it might not be to your taste. Was very surprised to what was my favorite and what was not! This place may surprise you

After a couple failed attempts we finally got around to try this neighborhood noodle bar. Bright and clean inside but really tiny place with just a few small tables. Service was good and food came out pretty quick. From the small menu we tried the Stinky Tofu which was pretty good, crispy skin and tasty. I ordered the Signature Lu Fen and my hubby had the Beef Brisket Rice Noodle. Both Hunan flavor noodles were not bad and I like the texture of the noodle. Although you can choose the level of spiciness but I still found the mild quite spicy.

We tried their Signature Lu Fen and Pepper Pork Rice noodles. They were so flavorful and the noodles had the right texture. And for those with a sweet tooth, the durian puff pastry and fried Pumpkin ball are a must-try! We will be coming back for more. Highly recommended! Follow me for more on IG @spinx17 Featured -Signature Lu Fen -Pepper & Pork Rice Noodle -Crab Meat Soup Dumping -Black Salted Egg Custard Bun -Durian Puff Pastry -Fried Pumpkin Ball

I rarely write reviews but felt compelled to share our recent experience at here at Sofun, which left much to be desired due to the service we received. Although the food was passable and another server was quite kind, our evening was marred by the behavior of one particular server, who seemed intent on rushing us through the last portion of our dinner service. Just as we were placing our order for dessert, the server bluntly informed us that we needed to hurry up as other customers were waiting for a table. A quick look around revealed a mostly empty dining area with no visible queue of waiting customers. This undue pressure not only dampened our enjoyment of the meal but also conveyed a sense of unwelcomeness, as if our patronage was less valued than potential future customers. Such treatment is not only inappropriate but reflects poorly on the establishment as a whole. It suggests a prioritization of turnover over customer satisfaction, a strategy that might yield immediate seating availability but will certainly not engender repeat business or positive word-of-mouth. In closing, while the food served was decent, the experience was significantly undermined by the inconsiderate and unprofessional behavior of our server. I hope this feedback is taken seriously, as it is intended not merely as a critique but as a constructive observation that could enhance future patrons' experiences. Hospitality is as much about the service as it is about the food, and on this occasion, it was decidedly lacking.

Got the chilled rice noodles with a sesame sauce and it was delicious. Just got takeout and it was packed well.

To experience the dishes that are popular among China's bourgeois in Tier 1 metros, these days it's LIC that caters to the tastes of this demographic. Located on a fun little hidden alley next to an artificial rock formation, Sofun Noodle Bar is the latest such restaurant to open in the area. My favorite dish was the pi-dan (century egg) salad - it was topped with eggplant, and the egg was perfectly tender. For a main I had the vegetarian chilled rice noodles, which came with a healthy portioning of garlic, cilantro and scallion. We of course also had to try the fried pumpkin balls, which come fittingly in the shape of pumpkins. Not my favorite thing on the menu, but fun for a slight sweet to end the meal. But the new century egg bun is amazing! It has masaigabau custard and is shaped and colored like a century egg - one of the best dim sum desserts I've had in recent years.

What a pleasant surprise! Authentic and no frills. We shared a couple of appetizers, all of which were good; The Century Egg Salad was my favorite. The Signature Lu Fen had the authentic (and nostalgic) braised flavor and came with generous amount of meat and veggies. The rice noodle had really nice texture - bouncy but not too chewy. Service was super nice and accommodating! Not too big inside, mostly two-seaters, but seems like they do more takeout/delivery anyways.

Favorite new noodle restaurant in LIC! I ordered the beef brisket noodle soup, garlic pig trotter, century egg eggplant salad, and durian puff to-go. Everything was packed in a cute tote, neatly and tight, to avoid spillage. The soup had a great kick of spice to it and made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. The trotter and eggplant were both amazing! The flavors were spicy and had so much umami, I made rice the next day to sop up the leftover sauce. The durian puff had a fairly strong durian flavor so you know they use real durian. HIghly recommend Sofun in LIC. I'll be back!

Taiwanese spot in LIC. A small place kinda in the middle of nowhere. I saw the stinky tofu on the menu and the reviews looked decent so we were eager to try. Food has fairly traditional flavors. The popcorn chicken was mediocre and needed more Taiwanese flavor. All the other dishes were good but probably not enough to make the trek to come back again as there are other options in LIC. Also, the portions were a little small relative to the price.

SoFun Noodle is by the same owners of Hunan Slurp, which is very high on my list of favourite restaurants in the city. They're a more fast casual spot primarily focusing on rice noodles. Between 2, we ordered the signature lu fen, fish tripe rice noodle, and the fried pumpkin ball. The fish tripe one stood out more because it was spicier and more flavourful, with these fermented Chinese beans that add a crunch to the rice noodles. I also really liked the signature lu fen, but felt that it was a bit dry (despite it being dry noodles), though the flavour was there. Perhaps it's because we got it for takeout and walked a while with it? Nonethless, would be interested to try it again in store. The pumpkin fried ball was also so delicious. It's got runny yolk inside, and is a perfectly satisfying way to end a spicy meal.

Cute new noodle spot I had to try, very good service from all the staff & my dish was delish! Needs a little more work done as far as decor goes. They don't serve alcohol or even sake (hopefully they're working on it because it would bring more business) but besides that everything went well. I left very happy & full lol

This is probably one of the best if not the best noodle spots in the LIC area. Simplicity, originality and fresh ingredients is probably their claim to fame in future days to come. Their noodle dishes has a variety from dry to soup based. Everything tastes home made and the ingredients are so fresh. What differentiates them versus the rest are the choice in toppings and ingredients. From Chinese cucumber that generally is not used other than home cooking. To the marinated chilis they use for their dry noodles. Tastes amazing. Even their soup dumplings taste home made. The star of the show is likely the fried pumpkins. It's like a sweet yolkie custard bun but the outside is like a fried mochi ball. It's damn good. Best addition to LIC yet.

I went here yesterday with 3 friends! Came here on a spontaneous Thursday night. We heard about this place through social media and decided to give it a try! This restaurant is fairly new (opened late June), it's well decorated with plants. The place is not too big, can maybe fit a few tables, but which is fine for when we went. I would imagine on busier nights it'll be tougher to dine in. We got the century egg salad to start. It was definitely very tasty with a spicy kick to it. Amongst the four of us, we got the signature Lu fen noodles, beef brisket noodles, and the tofu with meat sauce noodles. We all thought it was very tasty and we left full! We thought it was a very decent spot to grab quick noods on a whim.

This is such a cute spot in LIC in a great neighborhood. I highly recommend their soup dumplings, cucumber salad and fried chicken to start. I loved the short rib after that. It's a lot of food, so you'll definitely be able to take it home. The service is great and quick, if you're in a hurry.

Small restaurant quite off the beaten path; came for dinner (so not the instagram dim sum meal). We got 2 mains and a popcorn chicken - i preferred the beef brisket because i enjoyed the slightly sour broth. The spicy ribs noodle are not spicy at all so no need to fear and the popcorn chicken was alright, nothing to write home about. Overall the portions were quite small, and combined with the pricetags...the journey one must make to come here becomes a bit questioned. The ingredients did seem quite fresh and quality so it may be worthwhile if you're in the area and pressed for time and have a few bucks to spare.

Aesthetic - really chic and cute decor and plating. They even have real plants lined up on the wall behind the booths! I also love the small dishes they provide for apps! There are not too many tables, which was not an issue since there were only a total of 3 parties including my friend and I during the ~1.5 hours we were dining there. That was something off about the ambiance; there was only the server and the chef prepping food in the kitchen (2 people), and felt almost too quiet and empty. For context, it was a Thursday evening. I did see there were many takeout orders being prepared, so I wonder if they are leaning towards being a takeout place more than a dining out spot. The food itself was okay. It was $20 for the bowls of noodles. I ordered the beef brisket noodle soup. It had an interesting blend of ingredients. Because of the lime, it had a more tangy/sour taste, which I personally wasn't the biggest fan of. My friend got the Signature Lu Fen, which she enjoyed. We had also ordered, the same time as we put in the order for the noodle dishes, an order of sticky rice. This was under the dim sum section. Overall it was good, but I believe there was just 1piece of chicken, 1 piece of sausage, 1 egg yolk in the sticky rice. It's fun to share but just be prepared for the different proteins hidden inside. The timing of serving the dim sum dish was weird. My friend and I had finished our noodles and had been talking for several minutes more until the sticky rice came out. I was expecting either it would have been served like an appetizer or during the time we were eating the noodles. It worked out okay because even after eating the noodles we weren't full yet, but again, the timing the small dish came to the table was odd.

A friend put this place on my radar and I am so happy that she did! My partner and I ordered a couple of things to share and everything was absolutely delicious! The sweet tofu pudding ($7.50) was perfectly sweet and nostalgic to my childhood. It's the perfect sharing size so that you leave room to try other things on the menu. The pumpkin balls ($8) are a must! They're fried to perfection and the filling inside is flavorful and creamy. Just beware when bitting into it because the filling was piping hot! There were a couple of noodle options but we opted for the beef brisket noodle soup ($18). The soup was aromatic and flavorful. There was a good balance between pickled and spice which leaves you wanting more! The brisket was juicy and tender and there was a good portion of it for the price we're paying. The restaurant has high ceilings and lots of natural lighting which made the overall ambiance very pleasant to be in. The staff were attentive and made sure that we were taken care of. We were also able to pay via scanning a QR code at our table which is super efficient. I can't wait to come back to try other things on their menu!

My friends and I came to sofun noodle bar for their soft opening and were blown away by the dishes offered. Every dish was delicious! From their century egg salad, to the pig trotters and the pumpkin balls, we left extremely stuffed.

This is a nice space but it's small. I didn't have issues getting seated and food served quickly. It's a casual eat and the food feels authentic and unique in its flavor. I liked the signature Lu Fen and Century egg salad. We also ordered the beef brisket rice noodles and garlic short rib. I didn't expect the beef brisket rice noodles to be super tangy which threw me off. The short ribs were a miss as well. The portion size is smaller than I expected for the price which was my biggest complaint since my partner and I was still hungry after we ate. otherwise, I think the overall food, setting, and aesthetic are very comfortable.

Located in a newish redevelopment in LIC amongst a number of other new spots and a brewery, I liked the area right away. Inside is cute with small tables and a bar (not yet serving alcohol yet). We sat at the bar and ordered the signature noodles and the beef brisket noodle soup, along with the soup dumplings and popcorn chicken apps. Noodle dishes were great and unique, both having a slight tangy taste to them. Dumplings were solid, but the popcorn chicken was below average with too tiny pieces (esp for $11). Entree menu is limited to 2 dry noodles and about 6 noodle soups, so make sure you're in the mood for that before coming. I had a good time and would return!

When we heard the owners of Hunan slurp opened another restaurant in LIC we knew we wanted to stop by. Sofun is hidden in a warehouse next to focal point brewery (they are still getting their liquor license so it's a good option to have next door). We came in close to closing and we're seated immediately. Service was a bit slow because they had a lot out take out orders to fulfill. Between the four of us we ordered 4 bowls of noodles, soup dumplings and the durian puff. The pork trotter noodle soup was flavorful (more umami) but didn't have lots of trotters available. The beef brisket soup in the other hand had a sour flavor profile which was not expected but it was definitely stronger in taste than the trotter version. The soup dumpling stuck together so it easily tore which was disappointing. Nothing crazy to write home about. The durian puff was really flakey and had good durian flavor but unfortunately was a little too oily for me. Overall a great addition to LIC! We will be back to try the other noodles!

Walked over here after a day at Summer Club. They have a smaller menu of noodle soups with proteins. Noodles and broth were excellent, had the ribs which were nice and fell off the bone. The food came out pretty fast and was a perfect portion. Restaurant is a nice bright clean space. Get the coconut drink too, it's delicious!!

The rice noodles were classic. The soup one was okay not much flavor but the signature flavor was very good

This place is just okay. Really poor service. We wanted to order dessert and the waiter told us that needs to be our last order because people are waiting. There were plenty of people who had been sitting before us. Did not appreciate being rushed.

New restaurant in LIC to get your noodle fix. Got the special and I highly recommend this, it's spicy but not too spicy. The dish was plated displaying all the ingredients and you will have to mix it all together before eating. It was my first time having pig trotters, I really enjoyed the garlic sauce that it was prepared in. The place has limited seating (bar/tables) It looks like there are drinks on tap but think they may be still getting their alcohol license. Overall great new addition to LIC, just a bit further away from the main hub.

Sofun? More like justokay!!!! One of the leads running this shop tells us that it needs to be the last order cuz he got ppl waiting. Keep in mind we've been eating here for a max of 30 minutes and giving them business. What kind of service is that? Food's not bad tho the dude running the shop just needs to take a summer course on customer service - that's all.

Pretty good! We got their signature noodles (the best), beef brisket noodles (just ok), popcorn chicken (yummy but over salted), and cucumber salad (super good). However it was really frustrating because most of the things we originally picked from the menu were out. Mind you we came at like 5:30pm on a weekday so it wasnt super busy or anything. Almost all these dishes were our second choices... not sure what is going on there.

I got the Signature Lu Fen. It was good. It was ok. I thought it was a little expensive and I was hoping the ingredients would be a little fresher for the price ($19). To be clear, the ingredients were fine. They were good. I guess I was just expecting something a little better given the high-ish price and the fact that it's located in kind of an odd area.

Soooooo I usually avoid trendy-looking restaurants at all costs because this girl is just trying to have a solid meal and less of the instagram stuff. The food here was a sweet surprise and I enjoyed every bite of my meal. I ordered the signature noodle dish and durian puff (the ones you typically see at dim sum places). The signature noodle dish wasn't too oily, too salty, too hefty - it was just right as Goldilocks once said. The noodle had the perfect bounce which I really enjoyed. The durian puff was piping hot and not drenched in oil. Now I know where to get my durian fix without going to Chinatown or Sunset Park.

Overall: Taste is authentic, portions are hefty, and texture of the noodles are elastic, bouncy, and chewy! I do feel that the prices are a bit steep though. Signature Noodles 4.5/5; one of the most authentic noodle dishes I've had in LIC; the sauce/condiment to noodle ratio is also optimal. The spice level is also manageable and flavor is multidimensional. At $20+ for a bowl of noodles after tax, it is a bit steeper than what I hope to pay (a more acceptable range would be $16-17 post tax) Ambience 4.5/5; very cute seating inside, feels intimate and has both modern and brunchy cafe vibes. Wouldn't recommend for large parties. There is a beer garden next door so it's a vibey location Service 5/5: they were quick with orders and refilled water constantly. Overall pretty pleasant

I had a pleasant experience at Sofun. It is definitely a gem. With delicious, authentic food, fresh ingredients(the freshness of the ingredients was in every bite ), delectable durian puffs, attentive service, and a wonderful ambiance, it's a must-visit!!

Best noodle place in LIC at reasonable prices. We especially enjoy their non-spicy noodle soup. Highly recommended.

Excellent quality food! House made chili sauce. Stinky tofu is better than anything I ever ate in Taiwan. Signature noodles is perfectly proportioned, many flavors all balanced. Everything is very carefully thought out and prepared. Not fast food. Clean and neat, like at someone kind and fussy's home. Very nice people. This is a level of food you can't find in Manhattan. not even Flushing.

Nice hidden noodle spot in LIC. Had the Pepper & Pork Rice Noodle - tasty spicy and fresh. The Signature Lu Fen - flavorful spice bomb. I'd come again

I was eager to explore this new area. There are various stores but it seems that more stores are not rented yet. It was nice to see possibly shared outdoor seating. Sofun's interior design was nice but it limited the space for a larger crowd. The noodles brought a sense of comfort, reminiscent of a familiar home-cooked favorite not commonly found in the neighborhood. It appears to specialize on spicy noodles and noodles slightly more cooked. Despite appreciating the one non-spicy noodle option, it would be beneficial to offer the ability to customize spice levels. The non-spicy option was called "Ground Pork & Fried Egg Rice Noodle". Limited noodle options for a family visit was a drawback, given the restaurant's reputation for noodles. Fortunately, the service was good and it ensured a smooth experience.

Very delicous food, but something was a bit off with the service; empty restaurant on a monday night, and for our to-go order they could not give us chopsticks, or even forks? Ever try to eat noodles with a spoon? But despite this, very tasty!

Ambiance seemed very clean and well lit. Service: Went out of my way to check this place out. This review is based strictly on the service experience my family encountered attempting to try this restaurant out. It was about 10 mins till closed and we were refused service to order take out. The gentlemen barely looked up to acknowledge us as he was counting money. I did also notice two other tables still sitting there so not sure why they didn't want the business since they had to be there anyways. Ill hope to update this review again when i can make it back over there.

- Beef Brisket was cooked perfectly, soup and noodles felt light - get the fried pumpkin ball trust me - I'm a huge fan of durian and the crispiness surrounding this was amazing Safe to say I'll definitely be coming back & bringing more people here!

Brought my 10 year old after climbing at The Cliffs Long Island City. We loved the beef brisket noodle soup and the shrimp dumplings!!!

Minuscule Eatery The wall composed of whitish equally sized rectangles throughout exudes few colors or lively shapes. Flavor is minimal. Customer space includes a limited number of tables, tables rather thin, compressed, best fit for only two seated diners; crowded with dishes. Only two other diners are present this afternoon, seated nearby, one wearing friendly NYU labeled pants. Diners hunger for presence of more diners! Ambience: too quiet, not much happening. Other than nice plants it's rather bland, confined. The interior surroundings, the waitpersons, and to some extent the food have moderate unique vibe. Sofun, try to find a balance of these aspects. We experienced the tasty combo of the chilled rice noodles with carrots, cucumber, peanuts and bean sprouts; century egg salad with grilled pepper and eggplant; inviting historical Durian puff pastry dessert; and black salted egg custard bun. 'These look beautiful and have pleasant smells. A peaceful, not noisy, aura emerges, unusual because no loud music splashes one's ears and no unique waitpersons, often present in eateries, run up and down the space. After passing so many "loud," demanding noisy signs, businesses, etc. via Manhattan on the way to Sofun, the mini restaurant is a quiet contrast to the screaming business advertisements on the streets from competitive, demanding midtown Manhattan island endroits. Experience the quasi delicate repose at Sofun albeit also the accompanying empty feeling. Hope that Sofun doesn't become even one bit more tiny.

The flavor is everything! I'm so glad we made it here after the US open! The atmosphere is great and the ambiance casual. But it's the complex flavor throughout my noodle bowl that brings me to write this review. An absolute must do.

the beef brisket noodle was really good! the lemongrass soup was really dynamic. the meat was good too! the spicy mala pork ribs was pretty good too. we also got popcorn chicken to go!