Openings: Instant Noodle Factory on 7th Street

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Instant Noodle Factory Downtown is now open at 130 E. Seventh St., just west of Avenue A. (First reported here.)

This is the second outpost for the husband-and-wife team of Tat Lee and Cierra Beck ...

The first Instant Noodle Factory is located close to where the couple lives in Long Island City. Both have resided in the East Village at some point and have a strong connection with the neighborhood. 

The two looked at several East Village storefronts before selecting the former Avant Garden space (AG moved around the corner to Sixth and A) for its layout and location.

Shop specialties include the beef birria noodle bowl and two new flavors: sweet-and-sour pork and ginger-scallion chicken. There are also vegetarian and vegan options.

The base price is $10.50, and it includes a noodle package, premium, classic toppings, and protein that you select. (The price goes up for additional proteins or harder-to-find noodles.) The team then prepares the bowl for you on the custom induction cookers and conveyance system. 

The two say they can make up to six bowls at a time. This differs from their largely automated system in the first location.

Lee speaks of the "infinite possibilities, so many noodles and options," with almost 90 noodles to select from currently, with more on the way. 

Many of the noodles are imported, and a new batch is en route from Korea. "We're always on the hunt for the best noodle, which is sometimes hard to procure," says Lee.

CB3 approved a beer and wine license for Instant Noodle Factory, and they plan to serve Japanese beer, soju, and sake cocktails.

The current daily hours are Thursday through Saturday, noon to midnight, and Sunday through Wednesday until 10 p.m. 

You can keep up with them on Instagram here. 

Instant Noodle Factory ready to punch the ramen clock on 7th Street

Thanks to everyone who pointed out the recent arrival of the Instant Noodle Factory Downtown signage at 130 E. Seventh St. just west of Avenue A. (This pending arrival was first noted on Oct. 31.)

According to an Instagram Story, this fast-casual DIY concept offering instant noodles — more than 150 types that you prepare yourself and eat on the premises — is expected to open today. (A broken rolldown gate pushed the soft opening to Dec. 20.)

Ownership — the wife-husband team of Cierra Beck and Tat Lee — previously received administrative approval from CB3 for a beer-wine license for the address.

The first outpost opened last summer in Long Island City... Eater's Robert Sietsema gave it a whirl (and liked it!).

No. 130's former tenant, Avant Garden, moved around the corner to Avenue A and Sixth Street in July.

Signage alert: Instant Noodle Factory on 7th Street

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Signage is up now for Instant Noodle Factory, opening next month at 130 E. Seventh St. just west of Avenue A...

This fast-casual DIY concept offers up instant noodles — more than 150 types. 

The first outpost opened this past summer in Long Island City... Eater's Robert Sietsema gave it a whirl (and liked it!): 

When you enter, you are advised to study the ramen matrix ... mainly from Japan, China, and Korea, though a few originate in Thailand, Singapore, and other locations. 

Yet, this is a factory and you are the worker responsible for preparing your own meal. I was entirely bewildered when I first walked in, wondering how to approach the place. But this bewilderment was delightful — because perplexed is not a bad way to feel at the start of a meal. My advice is to select one of the preset noodle combinations, eight in number, which include type of ramen; added objects like sausages, herbs, fish balls, and boiled eggs; and condiments. If you don't pick a preset combo, you could spend hours considering your million or so options.

No. 130's former tenant, Avant Garden, moved around the corner to Avenue A and Sixth Street in July.