10,000 years of evolution and we've finally reached peak udon noodle form. The height of human craft. Literally the silkiest, smoothest, chewy yet soft noodles I have ever eaten. Niku and gyunan were divine. In the niku, they somehow managed to make the tripe and beef tendon immensely flavorful and tender without being heavy-handed. The fatty beef in the gyunan was crack with the sesame chili oil. The bonito base soup was somehow savory and full-bodied while also being sweet and light, so even though I was about to burst it didn't feel icky. Nothing to note in appetizer land besides the fact that I finally tried monkfish liver and it literally tasted like a salmon-flavored paté. Both surprised and relieved it tasted so normal. Despite the long wait time, it still felt relatively spacious inside, and even with just two people, we got our own booth! read more

Friend made a reservation for 4 on a Sunday night around 7 pm. Don't think you'll be able to walk in during these busy weekends unless you have a rez.   We did have to wait a few minutes for our table and we were seated in the back (a little hot because we were near the kitchen)   I opted for the seasonal mushroom udon and the table got the 6 piece karaage and the spicy cucumber salad.   I don't know if I can continue justifying a $16 cucumber salad but the karaage was delicious.   I liked the mushroom udon and felt like the broth was very flavorful (only vegan upon request) but next time, I'd like to try the cold udon. Service was really good and they checked in on us a lot. read more

I was recommended to come check this out and I love me some Japanese food. There was a bit of a wait on Friday about 45 mins but we had a bigger party than usual. Ordering was quick and I got the eggplant (fyi one of my favorite veggies) appetizer to try. It was an American eggplant and it seems like it was baked first. Then they had a ground pork sauce and quail egg on the top. The server suggested to mix it in and then eat it. It kind of like an Asian baba ghanoush where got pretty creamy. I enjoyed it! I was pretty excited to try the udon and it tasted chewy and wasn't overcooked. I think they could crank up the AC a little bit towards the back of the restaurant because felt a bit toasty. Bathroom was downstairs and floor was a bit wet so be careful down there. I come again :) read more

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Went to try the kani Udon and it was so good & flavorful!! Perfect for cold weather warms me up!! The shrimp tempura was very good with the tempura sauce .. will come back try the TanTan udon read more

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I heard great things about Raku, but I thought the food was just okay. The frozen grapes that came out with the check were pretty cool though. read more

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I had a good experience at Raku! I placed a reservation for four, and when our party came, we got sat immediately. Inside is beautiful with wooden seating and some booths. We placed our order with the server, and the food came out soon after. I got the crab cold udon, and it was good. The crab is fresh, and it tastes like a Vietnamese dish called Bún Riêu. I expected it to be a bit creamier, but I perhaps ordered wrong. My friends also enjoyed their dishes, and we were surprised by the generous portion size. I would definitely recommend! read more

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Salmon oshizushi was good but I think a bit too much rice for more and was a little too firm. The udon was perfect and chewy and i really liked the broth. Also a lot of meat which I liked. I wasn't a huge fan of the green tea tiramisu, but then again I don't think I ever am but I always want to try it if places have it It was very busy and we got there like 20 min after our reservation (flight + transportation delays) but they still were able to seat us which is a plus in my book and so grateful for because we had to go to a play after read more

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I walked in on a random weekday night and was delighted that there was immediate bar seating for one. I started with the chicken karaage which was very crispy and juicy; the portions of chicken were also fairly large. I highly recommend ordering this. For the Niku Udon, I thought the udon was freshly cut and white chewy, and they worked well with the broth and the different meats (short rib, tendon, tripe). I especially liked the short rib which was super tender and tasty combined with the broth. They give a reasonable portion of meat but I wish they gave 50%+ more udon, for $30 I feel like I barely got any udon which was a bit disappointing. I also am not sure if the additional spice I got enhanced the flavor of the broth very much. Nonetheless Raku was a great experience, the service was relatively fast and the food was good. 4.7/5 read more

Raku - Chicken Tatsuta-age - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Raku has been my go-to restaurant for cold weather, celebrations, any occasion. It's my favorite udon in NY. This location has more seating, yet still popular. They do stress the seating time limit, but it was ample amount to enjoy dinner. I love that the broth arrives very hot, and warming. The flavors are refreshing and the handmade noodle texture is bouncy. I've tried their different hot and cold udon, and enjoyed them all. read more

Raku - Ebiten Udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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lovely spot for ramen, very authentic and cozy vibe! i put my name down for dinner around 7 and i only waited about 15 minutes to be sat for a table of 2. service was kind and attentive, and the food came fast. i ordered the seasonal mushroom udon and it was full of umami flavors and had so many wonderful components. i particularly enjoyed the addition of the dried fried tofu, which was able to soak up all the delicious savory broth. the servings are quite large and the udon was perfectly chewy and succulent. read more

Raku - Seasonal Mushroom Udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Came here on a recommendation from a friend and it did not disappoint. This was a homey udon spot, very minimal yet upscale interior. I got the yasai kakiage, which is a regular hot udon with tempura vegetables. The udon came out piping and had a delicate umami and sweet flavor. The noodles were bouncy, just like all udon should be. The tempura was crispy although a little oily, but I didn't mind. It was a nice textural change from drinking the soup. We managed to get seated within 10 minutes without a reservation, but it was tight, so maybe try to get a reservation if you want to go on a busier day. read more

Raku - yasai kakiage - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I didn't have the highest hope since I had less than stellar experience at their other location, but Raku SoHo surprised me. I walked in without a reservation at 3 in the afternoon for a weirdly timed lunch. The place was absolutely still full of people, though there were enough seats at the bar that I could squeeze in without waiting. The turnover was impressively quick, though, there was a constant stream of people popping in and out the entire time I was there. I went with the veggie tempura hot udon since it was a chilly day out. I was expecting a little small plate of veggie tempura and was shocked at the little hill that was piled up on a plate over my udon bowl. The hot udon comes with this nice thick chewy noodles that reminds me of pillowy rice cakes. The tempura was very airy and crispy. I was particularly fishing for all of the burdock, as the fragrant root is difficult to find in dishes in the States. The soup stayed fairly hot during the entire time I was savoring it. It was a little bit salty, but perfect to eat alongside the thick udon noodles and the crunchy tempura. I threw in some pieces of tempura in the soup so that the crunchy bits soak up soup and become these delicious mushy toppings by the end. Though the restaurant was very busy, I didn't feel rushed at all. There were some solo diners who were even working on their laptops at the bar. The bartender was especially sweet and attentive. I got two pieces of frozen grapes with my meal. Overall, I think I jive better with the hot udon at Raku, and I'm glad I gave them another try after not such great experience with the cold udon. read more

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New discovery - the eggplant appetizer is sooo good. The ground pork flavor is so perfectly savory and balanced with the texture of the eggplant I get the ebiten every time and it comes with two shrimp tempura and this time it came with an eggplant tempura. I don't care for the ume though personally. When I came with another person, adding on one side of veggie tempura to share is perfect. U can also share one side of Wakame. Got the poached egg but honestly would prob skip next time unless they do a soft boiled egg read more

Raku - Eggplant - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Would definitely recommend making reservations or coming during off peak hours since it can get really crowded with long wait times. I got the chicken as an appetizer and thought it was good, but could be more tender and juicy. The udon itself though was delicious and had a lot of depth to its flavor. The meat was very tender and they give a big bowl. I even took the leftover soup back with me so I could eat it with lunch the next day! Would definitely recommend this place and would come back again! read more

Raku - Chicken Tatsuta-age - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Still one of my go to spots in the city, only ever been to the soho one. The dishes are all flavorful and the udon texture just seems so fresh. The soups always come out super fast and steaming hot. My friend still hasn't figured out how to get the egg drop soup and not almost burn her tongue, eating it quickly. This time I tried the Zaru cold udon and really liked it. The wasabi to add to the sauce was a great addition to change the texture, next time I would just add tempura to have more crunch texture in addition to the tempura shiso leaf. read more

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Great udon texture. Beef broth was good. My tempura was fried perfectly. Super solid and zero complaints. read more

Raku - Beef udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Have heard only great things about Raku and was excited to try for the first time! We got to the restaurant about 10 minutes after opening and got seated right away - there were already a couple of tables seated but upon getting our food, there was a line outside. The Gyunan Udon was piping hot and comforting to have on a cold day - the noodles were also fresh and chewy. Would recommend adding the poached egg for a nice creamy touch towards the end of your meal. read more

Raku - Agedashi Tofu - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here on a Sunday and although I didn't have a reservation, they were able to accommodate my party of 5 when we arrived right when they open. I ordered their kani ankake and throughly enjoyed it. The broth was flavorful, hearty, umami, and just perfect for a chilly fall today. The udon had a gentle chew, but springy and tender. The only thing is the crab meat may not be the freshest. My kids ordered their chicken kaarage udon and the kaarage was perfectly fried, moist, juicy and well marinated. Their chicken kaarage curry udon was also flavorful. The broth is a little thick and had a little kick to it. Because it's hard to wash curry, we were provided a bib to protect our clothing and I really appreciate their attention to details. Our server was friendly, attentive, and was always one step ahead to tend to our needs. Overall, their udon is solid and they offer a wide selection of hot or cold udon which is nice because you can choose depending on the weather. We will be back. read more

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Made a reservation with a friend, who had been coming here at least once a month for some comfort udon. The restaurant itself gave cozy and intimate vibes, and I imagine it would be great for a date here! Out of all the recommendations she gave me, I went for their Ebiten, which had the shrimp tempura and salted Japanese plums on the side. She also ended up ordering the same. The udon was absolutely incredible! The broth was rich and deeply flavorful, the noodles were perfectly cooked, and the tempura shrimp was a crispy side. In a way, the broth tasted quite "clean" and had me sipping until the last drop. Raku really nailed the balance of simplicity and quality, as I could taste how much care went into each bowl. Also, great service. One of my favorite udon spots in the city! read more

Raku - Ebiten - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Raku was amazing!! The service was amazing thank you to our server Boomerang!! We had a lovely time with the most delicious food read more

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I LOVE RAKU!!! The udon there is cooked to perfection. The noodles have a nice chew to it while not being soggy/soft like other places. The broth is flavorful and not overpowering. It's the perfect meal for a cold day. Definitely my go-to place to get udon and I always crave this when I'm not in the city. Whenever someone asks me for food recommendations I always tell them to come here. It's a crowd favorite for a reason and never disappoints! read more

Raku - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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We started with the wagyu tataki && it legit melts in your mouth. Then I got the curry udon which is heavenly!! I also recommend this mango drink (alcoholic) I got which was so tasty and refreshing read more

Raku - Wagyu tataki - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I had Raku bookmarked and also heard good things. The wait was about 45 mins on a Sunday night. The restaurant looked and felt like a standard Japanese Izakaya joint. Service was prompt. Wagyu tataki was decent but a bit salty if I coat it with too much soy sauce. Salmon oshizushi was just okay - there was a lot of rice to just thin little pieces of salmon. Gyunan udon was delicious - Noodles were chewy and broth was great. Beef slices just tasted overcooked. read more

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Raku is the staple in NYC for quality udon. My go to here is the fried chicken and Niku Udon. The chicken tatsuta-age is perfectly cooked with a light fry and super juicy thigh meat which comes with a spicy mayo sauce. The udon broth is perfectly balanced with depths of flavor but also light in nature so I can slurp on it forever. The udon noodles is really the star of the show with perfect consistency, chewiness, and bite. I would however skip out on the salmon pressed sushi and the eel don as those were average at best. I will be back to try the the other hot and cold udon's in the future as they really are the stars for the show. read more

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I don't visit NYC too often but when I do, Raku is the #1 spot I always make sure to come back due to its delicious udon and its soup quality that is not commonly seen in most Japanese restaurants I have been. I have been to famous spots in Japan within Kyoto and Tokyo and Raku definitely is on the top of the list in terms of service, food quality, and vibes. I have ordered to-go, DoorDash and dined in and its never been a disappointment. read more

During our most recent visit to NYC, my family and I stumbled on Raku after searching for places to eat in Soho on Yelp. We were so glad we gave them a try. Nestled in a quaint neighborhood, the unassuming storefront looked inviting. Upon entering the restaurant, the host will take down your number and text you when a table is available. Rather than waiting, you can walk around and check out all the interesting shops nearby. They are known for their udon and it was hands down one of the best udon I've had. The texture was chewy and not too doughy or soggy. We also ordered a mixed tempura that tasted light and not too heavy or oily. Service was attentive and the food was quick to come out shortly after ordering. So if you're ever in the Soho area and craving freshly made comfort food, Raku would be the place to head to. read more

Raku - Udon with crab meat and a slightly thicker broth that had an egg drop soup consistency. - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

The noodles here are SOOOO bouncy and chewy. I liked both the cold and hot!! Flavor is also good super soy forward and not at all heavy honestly tastes pretty refreshing. Karaage was crispy asf and good too. Limited seating had to wait in line a bit but I think worth the wait! Cute inside read more

Raku - Hot Niku Udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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One of the best udon places I've tried! I highly recommend the Wagyu tataki as an appetizer. It was perfectly chewy and well-balanced with ginger and scallions. I believe the sauce had a hint of yuzu. For the udon, we tried the hot hamaguri udon and the cold Kami maze udon. Both were unique, and I can understand why the hot udon is so popular. The broth was unlike anything I've had before! If you're a seafood lover, you'll love the broth, which is full of seafood flavors. I highly recommend this spot! It's located in the SoHo area, making it perfect for a winter meal, whether before or after shopping! read more

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The food was so good. I really enjoyed my beef udon and the curry one. The service was really nice and the spot is modern and cozy in a good way. Will definitely be back to try other dishes read more

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After a beautiful day out in NYC, and after biking around the city, Raku is a perfect stop for lunch. Nestled in soho, the location is walkable and in the cutest neighborhood. Depending on your palate, there is a dish for your taste! If you prefer cold noodles, I highly recommend the buta shabu! Served with chopped cucumbers, torched pork, udon noodles, and a light white sesame sauce, this was the perfect dish to cool you off after walking out in the heat. Our table shared a large portion of the chicken tatsuta-age, and it was perfect! Great for sharing and the sauce was slightly spicy. The rest of my table ordered hot udon: the ebiten and the niku. Both were also very delicious, and if you prefer a beefy broth, the niku is a great choice! Tastes very similar to beef stew, and was rich in flavor. 9/10 - I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone for anytime of day! The only reason I don't give it a perfect score is bc of the small size of the place, but that's no biggie in NYC! read more

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This is my daughter's favorite spot, so she brought me here and wanted me to try it for myself. It's conveniently located in a quiet, charming part of SoHo. After getting off the subway, it was just a short walk, with plenty of nice brand-name shops along the way. As soon as we sat down, my daughter let the server know we were ready to order--she's been here several times and already knew exactly what she wanted me to try. The agedashi tofu was one of the best we've ever had--crispy on the outside, silky soft inside, served in a broth that tasted like comforting Jidori chicken soup, topped with fresh onions. The Wagyu tataki was another standout. It's thin slices of cold, cured wagyu with a delicate smoky flavor, served with ginger, green onions, garlic, and dipping sauce. The server showed us how to enjoy it: wrap the garnishes in the meat and dip it in the sauce. A truly unique and flavorful experience. But the highlight of the meal for me was the Sansai Bukkake Udon. It was a slightly chilly, rainy evening, and the warm broth, soft noodles, and chewy rice cakes reminded me of what I used to eat in my childhood--it made for a perfect night. There's actually another Raku location closer to our hotel, but my daughter insisted on coming to this one--her favorite. After this visit, I completely understand why. read more

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Famous and trendy udon spot. Came here once before during the pandemic and ate outside but glad I got to try indoors this time. Service is polite and timely. Considering that it's always busy, glad to say service was smooth too. We ordered gyoza and karage as appetizers and I got a rice bowl while those in my party had a combo of both hot and cold udon. They also had suntory draft which I have to order whenever I see it on the menu and everything was pretty good. The ambiance was nice and clean. If you like udon or Japanese cuisine, would recommend the spot. Can get busy so good to make a reservation. read more

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Always a solid and authentic spot for udon in the city. I've been to Raku many times and it never disappoints. This west village location is slightly bigger and more modern. We went on a Saturday around 1pm and waited for about 30 mins for a party of two. This time I decided to try their cold udon kani maze for the summer which was delicious, super refreshing with lots of crab meat and the cucumbers made is really fresh too. We also got the ebi tempura udon which is always a classic and delicious. Would always come back for Raku and a decent portion size for NYC pricing too! read more

Raku - Kani Maze Udon, ebi tempura udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

This spot is definitely a popular spot, but surprisingly the wait wasn't too bad for us. - Service: Staffs are fast, friendly, and attentive. - Ambiance: Pretty tight here, I'd rather just dine and go here without hanging around too much. Pretty loud too. - Food: We ordered Gyutama Don (the beef and egg rice bowl) and Niku Udon (spicy udon). It took around 10-15 minutes for our food to arrive. The Gyutama was so good. I love how they cook the rice here, just perfect without being too dry or too wet. The beef was super tender, paired so well with the caramelized onions. My mom tried Niku Udon added spicy oil. Spice level was enough to have some kicks in, but not like burning-your-tongue kind of hot. The beef tripe and tendon were cooked perfectly. They're tender and not funky at all (tendon and tripe are easy to mess up and smell bad if you don't cook it the right way). - Price: The price is slightly pricey ($80 included tax and tips), but they're worth it. Definitely my favorite spot if I ever come to NY. read more

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raku came on a friday at 8 and got seated at 9. chicken tatsuka - 9/10 different from karage if that's what your expecting but still fried chicken and very good. would def order again eggplant - 7/10 unique and healthy would pair well with rice. would not order again. ebisan - 10/10 reminds me of udon from japan. this is my second time having it. really recommend beef udon with veggie soup (allergies to sesame and fish. all udons contain it) -7.5/10 the broth is good. would get the broth again but different meat to pair it with 9/10 overall would come back to this restaurant. they didn't have dessert items that were particularly interesting or ones i would want. they had a great drinks menu with options of japanese beer, yuzu, wine, cocktail. service was amazing as well This was my second time here. The first time I came on a Saturday right before it opened. Was able to get seated right away, however if you arrive after they open I believe you had to wait a while. read more

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Food was delicious, service was amazing and the vibe was perfect for a rainy day. We put our name in and then waited about 20-30 minutes, then were escorted to a shared family table. We had some extra bags with us so they happily stored them for us. The cucumber salad was a standout, a fun and spicy take that's different than any other I've had before. The tempura was light and crispy, and the udon thick noodles had great texture. We will be back! read more

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Raku never disappoints. I got the Spicy Niku, and it was sooo flavorful with deep umami, rich broth, and the perfect amount of heat without overpowering anything. Every sip of the broth tasted layered and comforting, and the noodles had that great chewy texture Raku is known for. The chicken tastutage (I'm assuming it's similar to karaage) was extremely well fried as well. If you want something warming, savory, and seriously satisfying, the Spicy Niku is an easy recommendation. read more

I stumbled across Raku while walking around NYC, and remembered a co-worker recommending it, so decided to give it a try. It was a late lunch time, but the place was still packed. I ended up waiting about 30 min as a walk-in for a seat at the bar. There were a few things that I wanted to try, but settled on the spicy Niku and the chicken tatsuta-age. Both were delicious, and it was definitely too much food for one person. I'm definitely going back to try more things on future visits to NYC. read more

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I really wish I remembered what we ordered, but we basically went with our waitress's recommendations -- and everything was absolutely delicious! It was my first time trying a cold udon dish, and it totally worked. Definitely add chili oil to everything if you like a little heat! Service was great, the food came out super fast, and the place was packed even on a weekday lunch. Definitely recommend making a reservation! read more

Raku - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

What a fantastic restaurant! I took my niece and nephew here because we all love Asian food. The restaurant is small, but so intimate and cute! The seats along the front window are especially desirable as you can watch people as they walk by. It's a very very busy restaurant so I would recommend getting a reservation even for lunch. Service was fantastic. We were greeted quickly, seated right away and our server came over shortly after. We ordered everything at once and he coursed it out perfectly. We decided to start with the spicy cucumbers and salmon oshizushi. The spicy cucumbers were a good choice to start with. They were light and spicy. The salmon oshizushi was outstanding, the rice was perfectly cooked with salmon that was very fresh, and the salmon roe on top just added it that special something. Next up we had the Wagyu hot udon, the chikara and the gyunan hot udon. Although I did not try the Wagyu, my nephew loved it! For me, the Chikara was really good except I didn't love the mochi... it was too big and a little too chewy. The Gyunan however was perfect! The broths were delicious on all! Overall it was a perfect meal/experience! I wish I had more time in New York to try this place again... Next time for sure! It is a fantastic restaurant! read more

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