Dian Kitchen

Reviews

• Allie C.

  star star star star star 21 July 2026

  I was in the neighborhood for a haircut and haircut gets me hungry so I was in need of some noodles. Jessie (who I think is the owner) was very hospitable. When I couldn't decide which noddle to get, she immediately start asking me do I want soup or dry noodle and recommended the small pot noodle because she learned I like sour soup.
  
  The bowl comes and it is hot. I just can't wait to start slurping. The soup is flavorful and each spoonful I get some of the minced meat, some crunchy preserved veggie and some scallions. YUM!
  
  I will be back even when I'm not in the neighborhood for a haircut to try the other dishes.

• Allene T.

  star star star star star 20 July 2026

  As a lover/snob of noodles and having had basically every noodle soup spot in NYC, I can confidently say that Dian Kitchen is probably my favorite spot for a bowl of noodle soup in NYC.  I admittedly had low expectations given it's sort of off the beaten path of the popular spots in EV and was a tiny little shop with not that many patrons, as it seemed, but I was blown away by the flavors of this spot.
  
  Service is actually quite friendly and helpful here - they'll continue to ask if you need anything even though it's an order first, sit after type of situation.  New to Dian Kitchen?  They'll gladly help you with the menu.
  
  Of the few times I've been here, I always get the spicy cucumber salad and the street potato as starters.  The cucumber salad is probably the best in town - full of flavor and the right balance of sour/salty/spicy and lots of cilantro to top it off.  The street potato is supposed to be on the crunchy side "like an apple" they say and is also packed with flavor and a unique dish.  It's a bit on the spicy side for those who are sensitive.  I have had it a couple times where it's more soft than crunchy, so I suppose there's a little bit of inconsistency there.  Nevertheless, delicious.
  
  The star of the show for me here is the Little Pot noodle dish.  It's reasonably priced for the amount you get also.  Noodles are perfect consistency - I've grown to love mixian noodles.  The flavor of the Little Pot noodle is complex and has many layers from savory to tangy to spicy - probably due to the many different ingredients in it like sour mustard vegetable and tomatoes.  It has minced meat but isn't that dan dan flavor I'm not a huge fan of.  It's packed with noodles, pork, and toppings.  The broth is so flavorful I literally drink the whole thing and I never do this.
  
  Add on a mu gua shui (jelly-ish drink) to cleanse your palette between bites and you've got a perfectly balanced meal.
  
  Probably my favorite spot in NYC right now.

• Saul G.

  star star star star star_border 17 July 2026

  Review of a Sunday lunch.
  
  We were three. Shared the mouthwatering chicken, the Street Potato and the dumplings in chili oil for starters. I'd say the chicken was aptly named, tender, savory and just spicy enough. The street potatoes are sort of like crinkle cut fries with a kick, I would also recommend them.  The dumplings were a bit disappointing - I think there were five, swimming in a big bowl of chili infused broth. Nothing special there. I envied another table's fried dumplings - will have those if I come again.
  
  I really enjoyed the Kunming Beef Noodle soup. Very tender beef, great noodles, pickled vegetables, perfectly spiced broth. La Portena went with the pork belly (cabbage/chive/scallion) soup, which was a special, and had no complaints. I don't think the feinschmecker loved her Dong Chuan dry noodles. The presentation reminded me of a bibimbap.
  
  Definitely spring for a bowl of the mu-gua-shui. (The review by Liz S. has the best explanation). It's a sort of gelatinous sweet tea with papaya seed jelly and sesame seeds - it will cool you down if you eat something too spicy.
  
  There are about twelve seats and a few stools at a counter. It's a bit cramped - a casual find, not a date spot. I'd go back.

• Hongyu C.

  star star star star star 14 July 2026

  Best yunnan noodles I've had, period. I cannot wait until I am back. This tiny place has nice staff, cozy atmosphere, and most importantly of all great food.
  
  All of the rice noodles are just the right consistency: chewy, not too rigid, and flavorful. The pork was excellently seasoned. The tofu was soft and fluffy. It all came together like a masterpiece.
  
  Would recommend 100%.

• Liz S.

  star star star star star 8 July 2026

  Dian Kitchen is an unassuming noodle shop in East Village offering authentic Yunnanese cuisine. To pull the obligatory card, my friend whose family is from Yunnan brought us here and vouched for it, and I'm quite glad she did.
  
  It's a small counter service operation offering a similarly slim menu of rice noodles and small plates. The mixian here is spaghetti sized, soft, and milky white, offered both cold and in broth.
  
  I went for the kunming tender beef rice noodle ($14), a hefty bowl of noodles with a flavorful broth and a hint of spice. The beef is actually pretty tender. The abundance of fresh chives, cilantro and mint was a highlight, and the lurking pickled vegetables added an element of surprise. I also tried a bit of the dong-chuan noodles and little pot rice noodles-- really tasty minced pork. The broth on the little pot is unreal; I'd go for that one next time.
  
  An unexpected highlight was the mu-gua shui ($3.50), a traditional and refreshing beverage-cum-dessert that I don't think I've seen pop up on any other Yunnanese spots' menus (Little Tong, South of the Clouds). A mixture of papaya seed jelly and sesame seeds in a cold brown-sugar-based liquid, it has an acquired texture at first brush but becomes addictive. Tastes a bit like sweet tea without the tea.
  
  Staff is friendly and food comes out quick. The space is cozy and casual. A great pick for lunch or a casual weeknight dinner.