Guilin Rice Noodle Soup

I used to go there once a week, but last time the noodle they brought to me all are short, looks like not fresh at all.

I became obsessed with snail rice noodles during the pandemic, and had takeout from this place a few times. Saw patrons dining inside today so was excited to finally try dining in and enjoy the noodle soup as they were intended. So first of all, they are really not open for dining in. They just allow you to eat your takeout food on their tables. This means: 1) no water service (which could be painful depending on how spicy your food is), 2) you are still mixing your own food out of takeout containers (really detracts from the experience because the first food to go in the soup will be extremely flavorful and the last portion will be bland), and 3) you need to bus your own tables (no big deal but there is also no trash can so you'll need to take the trash with you and find a trash can outside). The food is still tasty, most of the beef brisket is tender but I did have one piece of very chewy tendon. Broth is flavorful, but as mentioned above is inconsistent from beginning to end of the meal. I will probably wait a little longer until full dining in can be a supported to experience it again.

Been to this place for many years on and off. I had good and bad experience and give this place many chance. Since it's I grew up in Guilin, GRN is my childhood dish, so I'm not giving up on this place. I usually order the GRN, sometimes I order other dishes. Since I moved down to SoCal, every time I'm up here I visit this place for GRN. Last time their WiFi was out, so they wasn't taking orders. Which was a bumped. This time I came, they are still doing take out only and you can eat the take out inside but no service. I noticed improvements and some disappointment. Improved: 1. The noodle is not dry now!! (without requesting extra sauce and adding chili and broth. I'm happy to finally see this improvement after many years of coming here. 2. They put less noodles now for the regular size which I liked. It used to be a lot of noodle in my liking, soaking up all the sauce and become extra dry. Always feel it was too much noodle. Now it's perfect portion! 3. They don't have $20+ credit card policy anymore. Yay since I don't carry cash around. What I didn't liked: 1. First they were out of napkins, which is not a huge deal but the boss need to do his delivery more on time. I understand he's in Oakland. If things are out in the restaurant, there's always cash out for employees to grab things the restaurant is out of. 2. They don't offer pickled long string beans and substituted with pickled mustard cabbage. The pickled string beans adds an important flavor to GNL. I was bummed out. The pickled cabbage added too much sweetness to the dish. 3. They don't offer the chili paste anymore which makes the flavor difference! I understand covid add difficulty to the restaurant business. To save money by getting cheaper Togo spoons or chopsticks or bags I understand. However cutting corners to save money when it comes to the flavor of the food is a turnoff. 4. Since it's been takeout only, the soup has always been cold. (I always eat the take out right away, because GNL doesn't take good if it sits too long idk if they prepare them ahead of time or what. Like I said I'm not giving up on this place. But next time I'll call in and ask if they start serving the chili paste pickled string beans. The server was really nice and friendly : !

This place don 't take cash, and I asked cashier why?? This is the first restaurant that actually refuse to take cash and what u cannot believe is the cashier said reluctantly I am too lazy to take cash ?? Excuse me ?? I hope he is not the owner.

I love this kind of rice noodle, so I've found myself here a few times! I always go for the beef brisket Guilin rice noodle, and it's definitely a good comfort food. The regular size is enough for me, and it's very affordable, especially if use the yelp check in discount! The broth is a bit bland and could use some more toppings. Still, this place hits the spot if I'm in the mood for noodles! Hoping to try the crispy pork one in the future!