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    Raku

    4.5 (1.2k reviews)
    ModerateJapanese, Noodles
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Raku Takeout or Delivery

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    RAKU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Raku

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    Reviews With Photos

    Lynn N.

    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!

    yasai kakiage
    Ilmaa H.

    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.

    Spritz
    Celia K.

    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

    Chicken Tatsuta-age
    Evan Z.

    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

    Ebiten Udon
    Christine M.

    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.

    Chicken Tatsuta-age
    Brittany P.

    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!

    Hamaguri udon
    Bethanie C.

    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.

    What a delivery... the bowl was quite large.
    Jihye B.

    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.

    Beef udon
    Christine C.

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

    Wagyu tataki
    Lyouni K.

    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

    Eggplant
    Sophia L.

    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

    Gyunan Udon
    Albert H.

    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.

    Agedashi Tofu
    Yuna C.

    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.

    Frozen grapes

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    Raku Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Raku

    Are there gluten free options?

    The only things on the menu that are specifically marked are the dessert options. There are some things that aren't marked that might be, like the salad or a few of the apps I can easily see being GF (steamed egg custard, seared beef n ponzu sauce,… 

    Is there a yelp waitlist I can join if there are no reservation times that are convenient?

    There is a waitlist at door but nothing online. Leave your cellphone number and they'll text you

    Does this place take reservations?

    Yes it does – only the SoHo one takes reservations though. If you go to their website and click INFO, you can find the reservation link next to the location. You make the reservation via Resy.

    Are you opened on Labor Day, Sep 2? Thx I just called but no answer.

    Hi Janet, we are closed tomorrow for Labor Day. Thank you.

    Hello! Does Raku serve anything gluten free? Thank you!

    they have some rice dishes so those are possibly gluten free

    View All 10 Questions

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    4.4
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    I was pleasantly surprised by Dunhuang! It definitely hit the spot on a cold, rainy day. We came by…read moreon a Sunday around 3pm and were seated immediately. The restaurant itself is clean and well lit--a great place to stop by for a good, hearty meal. We ordered the Lanzhou Beef Noodle and Pork Hamburger. I really enjoyed both dishes. The noodles were cooked perfectly, and the beef was delicious. I will say that I wish the broth had more flavor, but it did feel light and clean. The pork hamburger came with a good amount of meat, which I appreciated. It was super juicy and flavorful. The service was quick and attentive, and I felt that the prices were reasonable. All in all, super great meal!

    Was looking for a restaurant nearby since it was pouring outside, and this place turned out to be a…read moregreat find. Came here for dinner on a weekend. The restaurant is near my friend's place. The place was exactly what we were looking for... Inexpensive, cozy and comfortable atmosphere! The place was a little busy, and didn't take reservations, but we were seated immediately. Amazing service and delicious food! The food was fresh and came out fast. Portions are generous, so you definitely won't leave hungry. My favorite dish was the Signature Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup, which was delicious and flavorful, and also gluten free, dairy free and soy free. Others had something else I had no interest in to remember the name. Their menu has many options to offer, including gluten free, soy free, and dairy free options. We would come back again and highly recommend you check out this place if you are in Murray Hill Manhattan. My only complaint was that I noticed a male staff member leave the restroom without flushing the toilet, which took away from an otherwise positive dining experience.

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    4.0
    (3 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    Had walked by a few times but a on post gym Trader Joe's run the pictures were enticing enough…read more Got a Lanzhou beef noodle combo with a drink and a lamb burger. The beef soup is clear and light and the noodles have a delightful texture, with a slight chew and good bounce. There's a good portion of braised beef as well. Tender but a bit fatty for my taste, but given the portion it's not going to kill you. Lamb burger ended up as overkill and will be consumed as leftovers but a quick sampling let me know that it's gamey and fatty with strong notes of cumin. Not a bad thing, but something to note for people that might not generally enjoy lamb or cumin. Black pepper beef rice bowl was solid too. Spice wise, you can calibrate accordingly but I'd recommended at least their regular spice level. Decent amount of tenderized but still chewy beef. Both dishes came with a salad of celery, carrot, cucumber, peanuts and seaweed strips in a light sauce. Couldn't quite figure out the sauce but it was lightly tart and refreshing. Space is clean and modern. Neutral wood, well lit. Service is friendly enough. If you dine in, you order at the kiosk and they'll deliver to your table. We had leftovers that they graciously packed up. Solid choice. I hope they stick around as they do bring a different cuisine to the area.

    first time trying chinese halal food and it did not disappoint!…read more had a mix of more common chinese dishes and uyghur dishes. got several of the popular noodle dishes and the bun. all were very flavorful!! service was fast. the portions were a bit smaller than I would've liked but still fairly filling. overall quite good and a good regular spot in murray hill.

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    wagamama - Murray Hill

    wagamama - Murray Hill

    4.2
    (757 reviews)
    2.1 mi
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    OMG-I just enjoyed one of the most delicious and flavorful Ahi Tuna Poke Bowls EVER!!! Run, don't…read morewalk to try this! It was so delicious. See my photos. The Ahi Tuna was the perfect and proper color it should be. The flavors were SPECTACULAR-WONDERFUL!!! NOTE: WAGAMAMA has added to their menu, since my last visit, so you now have a RAMEN SELECTION, and other yummy additions. I was too full from my spectacular Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl to try the Korean bbq Chicken Wings ($8.95) but, I will definitely be back to try them!! I'll post menu photos so you have an idea of the delicious food choices. (April 2026) My very first delicious bite of Ahi Tuna had a heavenly garlic flavor, it was wonderful, and the sweet green seaweed with rice only added to the wonderfulness. Vertical slices of cucumber, onion and scallion, also add deliciously to my wonderful Poke Bowl. Toasted sesame seeds, too. SIMPLY MARVELOUS!!! Remember to be sure to mix the poke bowl rice as you eat, so that you mix the rice with the yummy sauce that may accumulate at the bottom of the poke bowl. I usually eat a little while, THEN, mix the rice. This was so good, I had to eat, eat, eat, before I could stop to mix. LOL. That sweet green seaweed was so yummy!! A lovely mix of flavors...the garlic, the sweetness....I LOVED IT ALL SO MUCH!!!! When was the last time you enjoyed a dish so very much that you felt like standing up in the restaurant and telling everyone: THIS IS SOOO DELICIOUS!!!! Well, I felt like that, but I didn't stand up and tell everyone, but I did tell the manager, who happen to come to the table to ask how everything was. And I let him know how much I was enjoying the Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl. He explained why and how the tuna was so flavorful. We had a delightful brief foodie chat. What a joy!! The service is very nice here. I like the atmosphere too. And the music, which is cool; it does not interfere with thinking, or having a conversation. I really like it here . The women's rest room was very nice, and clean, with a Dyson Hand Dryer, so no paper towels on the floor. Yay! Helping our environment, too!! And I like the black and white wall paper, too. See my photos My last visit I enjoyed the Pad Thai, and the same non-alcoholic beverage, " Asian Mint Limeade", from the MINDFUL DRINKS area on the beverage menu. ($9.50) (April 2026). A nice treat! It does have a light carbonation (bubbles). This visit my delicious meal was from the BOWLS SECTION of the food menu, it was the AHI TUNA POKE BOWL ($17.95) (April 2026) With warm, and hot weather on the way, I know I will be enjoying this AHI TUNA POKE BOWL again...and again! If you love good food, good service, and a very cool environment, put this location of WAGAMAMA on your list ! (East side) LOCATED On THIRD AVE, at East 39th Street. There is OUTDOOR SEATING, too, with red umbrellas. See my photos. Enjoy yourself here. Totally delightful. There are several locations in Manhattan. I did not know that. So, the one I have dined at is ON THIRD AVENUE, at EAST 39th Street. Look for the Red Umbrellas outside, at the corner of East 39th Street and Third Avenue. Enjoy!!!

    Rozi and the hostess (on May 21st) gave great service and they are a major part of the reason I…read morewill be back. The atomsphere is clean and gives a modern Asian American vibe. I ordered the soft chaos as my drink. The flavors were well balanced and the drink packed a little punch. The Tantanmen beef ramen is my new favorite ramen, it was flavorful without being salty and very filling. I have added this spot to my lunch rotation and I will be back.

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    wagamama - Murray Hill
    wagamama - Murray Hill
    wagamama - Murray Hill

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    Tonchin

    Tonchin

    4.4
    (2.5k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Loved it! The chicken wings are incredible with the perfect crisp on the outside and juicy…read moreunderneath. I loved the classic ramen broth but the spicy tantan is also good. Save room for dessert for the huge shaved ice in all sorts of flavors. We had to wait for our whole party to arrive before we were seated. After that, the service was really fast and helpful. It's not a huge place, they have a mix of small tables, one or two larger tables, some booths and counter seating.

    Is it Japan? No, you're in NYC. But is it good enough? Absolutely. Just expect to pay NYC prices…read more My biggest recommendation: stick to the classic ramen. I usually order spicy ramen at most ramen spots, so that's what I went with my first time here. Big mistake. The spicy ramen really takes away from the depth of flavor. If you actually want to appreciate the broth, the classic ramen is the way to go. You can always add spicy oil yourself. A few things could definitely be improved. For an upscale ramen spot in the heart of NYC, I was surprised the tap water was straight-up lukewarm. Nobody wants lukewarm water after eating a piping-hot bowl of ramen. I'd also avoid the bar seating if you can. The seats aren't very comfortable, especially if your back tends to get tight from sitting hunched over. Another small but surprisingly annoying issue is the front door, it doesn't have a slow-close mechanism, so it's constantly slamming shut. Depending on where you're sitting, it can get pretty loud and distracting while you're trying to eat. On the positive side, the service was great. The staff was attentive, and the food came out incredibly quickly after ordering, which I really appreciated. The ambiance definitely fits the upscale NYC ramen vibe without feeling overly fancy. You don't need to dress up, casual clothes are completely fine. I'll definitely be back, classic ramen next time, no question.

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    Interior
    Interior
    Chicken Tsukune Bun
    Chicken Tsukune Bun
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    Kimchi mushrooms

    Raku - japanese - Updated July 2026

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