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    Raku

    4.5 (174 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    RAKU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Raku

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    Caili C.

    I came to grab lunch by myself as I've been wanting to try Raku. It was a warm day so I opted for and ankimo appetizer and buta shabu cold udon with thinly sliced pork, lots of scallions and sesame sauce on the side. I love ankimo and the monkfish liver was great! The ponzu sauce was perfect paired with the creamy, decadent ankimo. The udon is solid but I was a bit surprised that the udon is actually flat rather than round. It wasn't as chewy as I like but the texture was pretty good. I enjoyed dipping the noodles in the sesame sauce but I do think it needed something else, maybe a shoyu based sauce as well. The portion was huge I could barely finish it. My check also came with a frozen grape which I thought was a cute touch and a nice sweet treat after the meal! Such a great easy casual spot for noodles, especially if you're solo dining.

    Udon
    Tansy W.

    4.5 rounded up to 5. Good assortment of items and overall, pretty good! Surprisingly, the most disappointing items to us were the udon and chawanmushi - they weren't bad but they were probably our least favorite items which surprised us given the hype for those items. The noodles were good but my husband thought the broth was too creamy (we got the warm crab one). Absolutely loved the agedashi tofu and black sesame latte. Miso cod wasn't bad either. Definitely a good spot to try if you're in the neighborhood!

    Desserts
    Tiffany L.

    I didn't expect this location to be so spacious! It goes pretty far back, and it's so beautifully decorated. I love that they have desserts from Patisserie Fouet in the front of the restaurant, and in the back, there's a combo of different types of seating. There is a long table that is shared, so if you're a party of two, you sit across from each other. I ordered the Udon Toriten which comes with four marinated fried chicken (comes in soup or on the side). I loved the udon, but to be honest the chicken was a letdown. It wasn't crispy like I expected, it was pretty oily and got soggy. I am still giving Raku five stars since I loved the ambiance, decor, and udon itself so much, and there's other things on the menu I would try.

    Pork Gyoza - rather blank, skip!
    Bret F.

    Came in without a reservation on a Thursday night and joined they waitlist. They said it would be 45 minutes, it ended up being 8 mins. Started with the pork gyoza which were ok, not very flavorful and somewhat bland. Entree was the cold udon ja ja which came with ground spicy miso pork, cucumber, tomato, poached eggs in a cold broth; was very good and filling. Cocktail was the cassis gin royal,me, which was a nice blend of flavors. Service was good. Everything comes out super fast. We were in and out in under an hour.

    Andy C.

    Fun! Friendly service. Quick to share their opinions and a few laughs along the way. Ambiance is good. Modern and Asian. Lots of natural wood, everything is clean and sturdy. Plenty of space. I think there's a row of tables in the middle that ends up almost like a communal table. Booths are comfortable though the lighting was a little strange, with recessed lights in the ceiling plus a lower hanging lamp that created some strange shadows. Not a deal breaker but definitely a bit of a head scratcher. Food is great! I was excited for udon and it did not disappoint, going with the hamaguri udon myself with some shrimp tempura. Not fishy, subtle sweetness, good texture on the noodles. Shrimp tempura is light enough though a little greasy, but it's helped by a quick dunk in the sauce or udon broth. The pressed mackerel sushi was a pleasant surprise. Fishy in a good way, offset with some sweetness and tartness from soy and presumably vinegar. One of my favorite bites generally so when it's on the menu there's a good chance I'm ordering it, and they have a good version here. Desserts. They're great though I'm not a dessert guy usually, though the black sesame brings the flavor. The soba pudding had an interesting nuttiness to offer some complexity. And the roll cake was delicious, especially with the fruit sauce. And they definitely earned the Asian compliment of "not too sweet". IYKYK. All in, a strong showing. Highly recommended.

    Vera W.

    Raku is such a gem for a friends' night out. The space feels modern and clean, with a lively energy that makes it easy to settle in and enjoy a long meal together. Everything we tried tasted incredibly fresh, from the sushi to the noodles--it really shows in the quality. The spicy cucumber salad was a standout to start: crisp, refreshing, and with just the right amount of heat. We also loved the chicken tatsuta-age, which came out perfectly crispy, paired with a dipping sauce that definitely brings the spice. My absolute favorite was the sansai udon. The broth was rich and flavorful, and the udon noodles were cooked perfectly with that ideal chewy texture. The chikara udon with mochi was another standout--hearty, comforting, and super satisfying. And definitely don't skip dessert--it's the perfect way to end the meal. It does get pretty busy, but the staff handles it well--they were attentive, friendly, and kept everything running smoothly. Definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time. Overall, a fantastic spot I'd happily come back to.

    Seasonal Mushroom Udon and Kaisen Don
    Sarah X.

    My sister and I walked in around 2:00 pm on a Saturday, and we were immediately seated. The interior was such a vibe. There was a beautiful display case of desserts right by the entrance, and the hostess led us down a hallway to the main dining area of the restaurant. We sat in a cute private booth, and we ordered the maguro yukke as an appetizer. I thought there was a little too much sesame oil, but overall, it was delicious. I ordered the mushroom udon, which was also delicious (considering it's just udon noodles and mushrooms). My sister also enjoyed her kaneki don. Afterwards, we tried their soba pudding and earl grey panna cotta. I enjoyed the soba pudding, I just thought the brown sugar on the bottom was a little too overpowering. Overall, it was a nice place, and I would love to come here again to try more of their desserts!

    Cecilia L.

    Always my favorite udon spot in the city! While I'm usually an East Village regular, the food prep at this location was even better this time around. Major plus: this spot actually serves desserts! Hamaguri (5/5): The clams were incredibly fresh and prepped perfectly. The broth is light, refreshing, and lacks any of that "overly fishy" aftertaste you sometimes find elsewhere Kani Ankake (5/5): The thick, silky soup texture is so comforting and the broth is packed with flavor Karaage: A non-negotiable must-order every time Otsumami (4/5): These banchan-style appetizers were good, but didn't quite stand out as much Matcha tiramisu 4.25/5: love me some matcha Chamomile mango 4.75/5: it was light and tarty - super delish and great way to end the meal Tip: Go to this location if you want to end your meal with something sweet!

    Sabazushi
    Caroline S.

    i've now been to all three raku locations!!! i think this one falls between the soho and EV one in terms of the space itself but for some reason the udon was not as good as i remember for either. the noodles were bouncy but not that bouncy and the duck breast was tough :( unlike the other two the bathrooms r rlly nice and spacious tho! the seating space is small like the others. they were running this deal with blackbird where if you spent more than $50 you get this free sabazushi! it has the nice char of the fire guns. it was pretty good i think in the future i wanna try more of the raku sushi. overall, i think it's a solid udon spot and tastes pretty good.

    Canny F.

    Wow. I want to knock off a star because they forgot my Udon entree, but that would be unjustified. The atmosphere, the kindness of the staff, and the fresh and delicious food are hard to pass up. The menu is very extensive, and you will need some time to really pick out some items. Don't fret, you will most likely come back to try other items in the near future. As for me, I ordered the Beef Curry Udon, Shrimp Tempura, salmon oshizushi, and essentially all the matcha desserts on the menu. I also ordered the buta shabu cold udon, but they somehow forgot to place that order. 1) Beef Curry Udon | 9.2/10 - Fresh and snappy udon. The curry was flavorful and thick, which really grabbed onto the udon nicely. The portion is generous for one, although if you are a meateater, I would suggest ordering extra beef. 2) Shrimp Tempura | 10/10 - This dish sat on the table for a good ten minutes before I ate it. All kidding aside, it almost tasted like I ate it right off the fryer. How do they do that?! 3) salmon oshizushi | 4.5/10 - Meh. A lot of rice and 1 cm thick salmon glued together. 4) Desserts | 100/10 - I highly doubt you can go wrong with anything on the dessert menu here. Everything is extremely delicious, not sugary, and fresh. It is pricey, but the craft that goes into the desserts is worth every penny. Overall, an excellent experience and well worth a repeat. The lines are quite long in the Midtown location during busy hours. Definitely plan ahead.

    Fried chicken on the side for toriten
    Divya K.

    I'm usually not huge on udon but this place changed my mind. Noodles were so fresh and chewy. I got the toritken with the fried chicken on the side. There was a 30 mins wait when we walked in around 1 PM on Saturday afternoon. Note: they also don't allow any outside food/drinks but they held onto our lattes inside until we were done.

    Kitsune Udon, Agedashi Tofu, and Sabazushi
    Jinny K.

    Raku is a must whenever I visit NYC! I'm not sure what the science behind their noodles is but it is to die for! I think about it every day. They don't typically take reservations for small parties so I would recommend lining up before they open to ensure a seat because they fill up very quickly. Even if you are by yourself, they have a communal table in the middle where you will be seated with other solo diners--a great way to try even by yourself and make new friends. The interior is pretty tight to accommodate as many people as they can but it's not uncomfortable. Staff are very prompt and accommodating and don't forget to enjoy the frozen grape at the end of your meal! I have always gotten too full after the meal to ever try but I will be back for just desserts!

    ebiten (shrimp tempura) 8/10 niku (beef short ribs) 8/10
    Jenng C.

    Best udon in Manhattan. The menu is simple and doesn't overwhelm you with too many options. Service is always friendly and there's also a bakery in the front of you wanna grab some sweets to go on your way out. ebiten (shrimp tempura) 8/10 niku (beef short ribs) 8/10

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    Ask the Community - Raku

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    Tensai

    Tensai

    4.3
    (59 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    I had a wonderful experience. We got the Uni croquette and fried squid. I could have passed on the…read moreUni croquette. The fried squid appetizer was the stand out because it came with a delicious wasabi sauce. I also got the karaage udon which was great. The karaage wasn't too oily, but was still crunchy. Loved this little unassuming spot. We had the sweetest woman serve us. The weight was a little bit long because we showed up at the same time as another party, but it wasn't too bad.

    I had stopped by this little hole in the wall a handful of times before stopping in several months…read moreago during a cold winter day. The place was pretty quiet, and the staff was friendly. To drink, I had a Hot Organic Super Matcha Tea for 4.95. It was alright tea, and I wish teas were included in the price point, as otherwise, this place feels pretty traditional. In terms of food, I only ordered from the seasonal menu, so I'm not sure how the rest of the dishes are, but from what I had, I would go back for a light traditional meal. My appetizer was the Dashimaki Tamago/だし巻まき卵たま, or sweet savory omelet with daikon for $6.98. This came with three pieces along with a little dollop of grated radish. The pieces had a light sweetness to them along with a bit of savoriness. They were juicy and a bit bouncy while maintaining some softness. This was standard and good. My main dish was the $19.98 Beef Tan Tan Udon, or ground sirloin beef, spicy broth, baby bok choy, kikurage mushroom, scallions, and sesame seeds. While I have preferred udon from spots like Raku, the udon had a mild chew to it, and they were still good. The broth had a mix of sweetness and spiciness with a nice depth of flavor. The vegetables inside tasted fresh, and the meat added some richness. This was good as well. I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to go here, but the food was good. If you're in the area and looking for no frills Japanese dining in a more comfortable atmosphere at pretty decent Midtown East prices, I would recommend this place.

    Photos
    Tensai
    Karaage
    Karaage
    Spicy Cucumber $8.98 (Persian cucumber with chili oil, garlic chips and chili thread)

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    Spicy Cucumber $8.98 (Persian cucumber with chili oil, garlic chips and chili thread)
    Sakagura

    Sakagura

    4.2
    (1.9k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$$

    This is one of the best izakaya restaurants in Manhattan, and it keeps bringing me back time after…read moretime. The moment you walk in, you're instantly transported to Japan. The décor features light natural wood and bamboo, creating a warm, authentic atmosphere, with an impressive collection of sake lining the wall. The food is outstanding. We started with the seasonal soft-shell crab, which was incredibly fresh and fried to perfection. The daily sashimi special was exceptionally fresh, and the salad was light and refreshing. The must-order Wagyu beef, served on a hot stone, simply melted in our mouths and was unforgettable. Every dish was beautifully prepared, and I enjoyed every single bite. The impeccable service was the icing on the cake. The staff was attentive throughout our meal, making sure we had everything we needed without ever being intrusive. I absolutely loved the entire dining experience and can't wait to come back again!

    We had a really delicious dinner at Sakagura. Some of the real highlights were:…read more- the cucumber salad - the eggplant, which was absolutely to die for - the black cod The Otoro sashimi was also really good. Definitely melt-in-your-mouth quality. The hot udon soup was fine but nothing too special. The hamachi was very good but be aware that it is the hamachi shoulder on the bone, not hamachi sashimi. I tried a sake that is made from red rice, which was really delicious, and my wife had a sauvignon blanc, which was also really good. This is a fun place to try a bunch of Japanese small plates in a nice setting where the tables are not too crowded and the noise level is very reasonable.

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    Lunch Time. Happy Friday!
    Lunch Time. Happy Friday!
    Hot "Inaniwa" Udon
    Hot "Inaniwa" Udon
    Agedashi Tofu

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    Agedashi Tofu
    Sozai

    Sozai

    4.3
    (166 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    Arrived at 10:30pm on a Tuesday night and this place was still poppin, which goes to show just how…read moregood the food is here! We ordered the mentaiko pasta and the scallop and tuna carpaccios. All dishes were amazing, would order those over and over. Their ingredients are very fresh. We got seated at the bar within 20 minutes and the food came out relatively fast too. The place has a cute late night vibe. We also saw the actress Tessa Thompson eating here during our dinner, so even the celebrities think this place is the best!

    Very clean space with comfortable seating…read more Fried Squid legs - fried well, would order this if I were in the mood for it. Ube Fried potatoes - fried well with a nice sauce. Nothing out of the ordinary. Pork Katsu - okay, pork was a little dry. Probably would not order this again. Ton Toro Yaki - grilled pork neck. This was very tender and unique. I would order this again. Mentaiko pasta - sphaghetti with spicy cod roe and bacon. This was rich but very tasty. I think this is more of a side, not a main meal. Cold soba green tea - I really liked this for a hot summer day. The noodles were firm and topped with salmon and roe. Again it is more of a side dish and not a main entree. Wafu mushroom - sauteed sphagetti. I didn't really like this one, the flavor was off for me. Sukiyaki beef udon - this has great flavor and had a lot of accoutrements. I would order this again. Great place for quality food. I would return.

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    Bar area
    Bar area
    Sake Clam Miso
    Sake Clam Miso
    Black sesame ice cream and red bean

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    Black sesame ice cream and red bean
    Izakaya MEW

    Izakaya MEW

    4.3
    (3.3k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    There's a reason why people have willpower for the hours-long wait here on weekends. There are many…read morerestaurants with lines that I can't say are worth waiting on, but this restaurant is worth every minute and every ounce of energy left for the wait. I've taken a lot of friends here over the course of 10 years, and without fail, every one of them has walked out mindblown--and why wouldn't they?! The wait times have gotten better over the years (probably because people are waiting for the restaurant next door), but the food and drinks here are still top-notch. Staff is always great, and they all work so efficiently. I am generally a fan of izakayas, but there are very few that offer plates that are designed to be shareable, and this is one of the reasons the food here is so enjoyable in a small group setting. I am obviously biased and think they can do no wrong, but some of my staples that have stood the test of time: Kimchi cream udon, avocado tofu salad, salmon sashimi tacos, and the kani cream croquettes. I was so excited when they opened an outpost in Flushing years ago, but sadly it shuttered during COVID. It is definitely small and there is always going to be a wait, so don't be those people who come in with a huge group during prime time because they like to move (getting customers in and out) very fast.

    I've been coming to Izakaya Mew for years and it's still great! The food is solid and the ambiance…read moreis that of a casual bar/izakaya. It can be a little tricky to find as it has a small door on the street level and is located down a flight of stairs on 35th. They have a variety of drinks such as frozen kirin beer and Japanese inspired cocktails. For food, they have a large variety of Japanese classics from sushi, skewers, fried dishes, and noodles/rice. My favorites here are the Omu Soba which has some tasty noodles inside and the salmon don which has some sashimi and sauce over rice!

    Photos
    Dining area
    Dining area
    Volcano Roll and Chikaten Roll
    Volcano Roll and Chikaten Roll
    Scallop Uni Butter Skewer

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    Scallop Uni Butter Skewer
    Yezo Thai Isankaya

    Yezo Thai Isankaya

    4.8
    (164 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Never even knew this place existed. As soon as we walked in, to my surprise, we were greeted with…read morecute decor, cozy atmosphere, and even live jazz band. For appetizer, We went adventurous and got the monkfish liver salad - first thought the portion is very small. But to my shock, the sauce is so delicious-- strong, vinegar-y, and spicy - my favorite flavors. Monkfish liver is fishy but very good. I ended up drinking the sauce Entrees: Braised rib massaman, as everyone recommends - best massaman I've ever had so far. Roti is crispy, perfect to go with the curry. seasonal mango branzino - fillets come off of the spine. surprisingly delicious! A little but not too sweet and also savory; again, strong flavor but it works. Better than I expected. E-san hotpot - light in consistency but flavorful dashi. Soup is very nice. Pad thai with salmon - only OK. Service was helpful too: constantly filling our waters, timely clearing dishes, even cooking the hotpot for us. Excellent thai restaurant. Will be back for sure.

    This small Thai restaurant in Midtown East got packed so quickly! The inside is so floral and…read morevibrant and the menu is simple, highlighting some of their signature must-try dishes and classics.For drinks, we started with the My Summer and Thai Ice Tea. We liked both! The Crying Tiger steak was grilled really well, paired with a tangy dipping sauce. The Keaw Tod were like fried wontons. I did like the crunch but wish there was more filling and more than 6 pieces, so for $12.95, I'd pass on this one. The Short Rib Massaman is the star dish; a coconut curry with a big chunky piece of meat served with flaky roti bread. It was really flavorful and tender. The Salmon Clay Pot had nice fragrant garlic rice and a fresh salmon filet. However, the salmon rice tasted more Japanese than Thai. To end the meal, we got their delicious seasonal Mango Sticky Rice. The mangos were ripe and the rice was nice and chewy.

    Photos
    Decorations
    Decorations
    Pad mee yazo (Pat Thai)
    Pad mee yazo (Pat Thai)
    Pat Thai Yezo

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    Pat Thai Yezo

    Raku - japanese - Updated July 2026

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