The broth is flavourful and portions are decent. I do think it's a bit over priced for what it is. I expected more vegetables in the Sansai udon based on the description. Overall the restaurant is clean and our server was attentive. read more

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Great broth and noodles. Service was good. Wait times are long so come early. Had the beef tripe and the crab egg drop. Both are exceptional. Sushi is decent but the noodle soups are the reason to come. read more

It's located on one of the busiest streets in Toronto. The exterior of the restaurant is minimalist and embodies a Japanese aesthetic. I had zura (cold udon with dipping sauce) + shrimp tempura. Udon is the best I've had in town. Chewy and delicious. My cold udon was thinner compared to my bf's hot udon. Shrimp tempura was tender but batter was slightly too thick for me. Overall it was a great experience and I'd definitely come back for kitsune (hot udon with fried bean curd). read more

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Hands down my most favourite restaurant in the city. Good vibes, simplistic beautiful decor, and the best udon in the city. I always forget to post my review because I'm always too busy stuffing my face. Oyako don Super delicious since I love chicken egg and rice 5/5 Egg drop udon I'll be honest I forgot the name on the menu since every time I go back I try something new. Can't go wrong with this one 5/5 Pork cold noodle It slapped so good I moaned "hoooooOOO Yeah" really good menu item if you're not feeling soupy or hot udon with a peanutty broth dip 6/5 I always make a stop here whenever I'm in the city read more

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Udon is soul warming, authentic Japanese cuisine. Would recommend this hidden gem to anyone on Queen West

One of a kind udon shop in Toronto! Specialty udon shop with udon texture that is unique to this restaurant alone. Definitely worth a try if you enjoy noodle soups. The honeycomb tripe and short rib udon is a great option, loaded with tons of meat. I also enjoyed the deep fried mushroom udon, which comes with a nice clear broth. Restaurant is nice and clean, service is good. read more

Raku - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

The food was very good. The noodles were slightly chewy which I personally liked. They also had a very unique shape at the ends of them which entertained me. (After all fun looking food is fun food). The fried chicken was delicious. The soup was light and refreshing which countered the oily chicken very nicely. The chicken and pork truffle wontons were huge! They used two wonton skins to make one wonton (reminds me of how I used to make wontons as a kid when I didnt know how to fold it properly - its good tho because more meat )! The gyozas actually had a unique ingredient in it - it was something crunchy (I guessed it was pickled cabbage but Im not sure at all!). Both my friend and I were unsure if we liked it. It wasnt bad but it didnt have the familiar taste of pork gyozas that we were hoping to get. The size of the bowls were huge! So when the food came the noodles only filled 30% of the bowl and it seemed like the portion size was tiny. However as I was finishing up I was very satisfied in terms of fullness. In terms of the restaurant itself it was thin and long so it felt squished - very downtown, no space vibe! There was a wait time (apparently when you call in for a reservation they dont pick up their phones - at least for us!). The wait time was only 20 minutes for us but from what I heard when we were sitting down to eat the host was telling people a 45 minute wait time! Fortunately there are many things to do (shops to see) around so the time passes rather quickly - it just sucks if you are hungry. We actually walked past the restaurant the first time because they have no windows so you had to just look for the sign and door (or in this case the giant white flappy cloth covering the doorway. Service inside the restaurant was quite speedy. The price came out to around $70 after tax and tip so it is quite pricey compared to some other ramen places I saw around. But as you can see with the table set up (the fact that they give you a wet towelette) and the good quality cutlery and bowls - its not surprising that it is on the pricier side. read more

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My first post pandemic visit to this restaurant, and the udon is unchangingly excellent! Even though we were told as soon as we were seated that they only had thin noodles available that day, it was delicious nonetheless. I ordered the kaki this time, which arrived piping hot with several juicy oysters - but the main attraction was definitely the broth, intensely flavoured by the oysters, giving it a highly refreshing and slightly sweet taste. My friend's sansai udon was also up to par, with the vegetable tempura expertly fried to crispiness. Service was friendly but a bit distant, it took a couple of tries to get water but the experience was otherwise smooth. Come early (we went right when they opened at 12pm) because it gets busy very quickly! The line has not gone away despite the fact that they've opened for a while, because it's just that good. :) read more

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Best udon in Toronto for sure and I would say the price is matching the quality. Always busy when I've gone though and can't reserve in advance so be prepared to wait! read more

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This was my second time going to Raku! Normally I am not a huge udon fan but raku does not disappoint. I got the nabe udon which came out in a huge pot! Definitely has the nabe flavors and was served piping hot. I like the setting it is a quant little place. read more

Raku - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Taste of Japan. Very simple yet delicious flavour. Hand made udon in house. Cooked to perfection. Broth was very clean but very flavourful. You can taste layers of flavour and it is not overwhelming. Restaurant is clean and very good service. Repeat is a must. read more

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2nd time eating here, this place is always so busy but the service is good and the food is still great. Ordered Unatama Don this time, not Udon. It's like an Unagi Dish (grilled Eel). Yummy! read more

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This was even better than I remember it back in 2021. The tantan soup is exceptional, with an addictively rich and flavourful spicy miso pork broth and those luscious, perfectly chewy udon noodles. The kani ankake udon noodle soup, made with crab in a thick egg broth, is also a cut above. We always order the same two things here, and perhaps it's time to branch out, but they're just too good to pass up. Definitely recommended. Pro tip: after you're blissfully full, head over to Drom Taberna next door for some live music. read more

Given the hype around Raku, I was super excited to try it! I was a little bit disappointed because the cold udon were completely different from the warm ones. They're a lot thinner and less chewy. My friend got the warm ones and hers were thick! So for next time I'll definitely get the warm options. My broth was also very salty and there wasn't anything that stood out to me. I've definitely had better udon. Also you can't reserve so you have to use Yelp and line up in front of the store! You get a waiting time. It goes relatively fast though. read more

Raku - cold udon - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Raku is a nice restuarant with an unassuming exterior but a warm and comfortable interior. We tried the Chikara Udon ($17) and Curry Beef Udon ($17) which were both hearty meals. The texture of the noodles was excellent and the soup bases were also delicious. The Chikara Udon had a gingery chicken broth, while the Curry Udon had a thicker broth. The bowls are pretty big as well. Presentation could've been better but it tasted good so not a big deal. It was a very nice vibe and I'd definitely like to try their other options! read more

Raku - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Raku's udon noodles are on another level. It is a must try! Their menu is not super big but they do have quite a variety of meat based or veggie based udon and a few rice dishes like oyakodon. Their gyoza appetiser is pretty good too! The dumplings have a very thin skin. I usually get the mushroom or chicken mochi udon. Unfortunately due to supply issues they do not offer the mushroom one lately. The chicken one comes with many pieces of chicken and a few slices of mochi. You would not have thought the combo works together but it does!! The mochi is warm and chewy and pairs really well. The udon noodles are chewy and I really wish my bowl was endless! read more

Raku - Gyoza appetiser - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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According to Raku's website, Ishizuka's menu is centered around an iconic noodle that has been a classic comfort food in Japan. Ishizuka serves his voluminous bowls of chewy and silky noodles in his signature dashi soup. In addition to an extensive udon offering, he also showcases an appetizer menu featuring some of Japan's most classic small bites. By offering a contemporary and minimalist dining space paired with warm service, Ishizuka aims to create happy memories for customers through his food. I have visited all three Raku locations so far, and each time their cold noodles have been consistently good and refreshing. While hot udon can be found anywhere, Raku is the only place I go to for cold noodles. However, if you are new to eating cold noodles, it can be a strange experience at first. When you order the Yamakake cold noodle, it comes with an egg, soy sauce, and seaweed. If it's your first time, you might not know what to do with the poached egg, and the taste may seem strange to you. But once you get past that initial bite and realize that the noodles are silky smooth and refreshing, like a can of ice-cold soda on a hot summer day, you won't be able to stop slurping them up. Furthermore, the restaurant doesn't just serve good cold noodles; their appetizers are also consistently delicious. The Chicken Tatsuta-age is a must-try; it's probably one of the best fried chicken dishes I've ever had at a Japanese restaurant. Additionally, their Sabazushi, which is mackerel pressed sushi, is also worth trying. The only downside of this place is that it's small and always busy, which can make it a bit cramped at times. My Favorite : Yamakake Cold noodle Overall Rating: 4.5/5 * Food: 5/5 * Service: 4/5 * Value: 4/5 * Ambience & Cleanliness: 4/5 Would I visit this place more than 3 times? Yes read more

Raku - Hiyashi Cold noodle with an egg on the side - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

THE go to udon place in Toronto. I am so happy that they're so close to home, but somewhat disappointed that they open at 12 noon. I'm more like a, please open at 11:00am, and be able to dine at 11:30am and be out by 12:30pm so that I can cram in a meal/snack before dinner, followed by a midnight snack. I haven't been disappointed with anything on their menu each time I've visited. However, my definite go to is the crab meat udon! I'm getting hungry and would like to go now read more

Raku - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Great spot for some chewy udon. The restaurant is pretty small, but we were lucky to be seated right away. Probably best to go during off hours if you want some space. The tofu was flavourful and salty...although there were only 4 pieces. The udon is nicely cooked and there's a good variety on the menu. We had difficulty narrowing down what to try, but decided on the beef (nice, clean broth) and the tantan (more flavourful, good spice and peanut flavour). The service was good and overall I'd recommend. read more

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Winter for me means drinking warm hearty soups to deal with the weather and not being a Ramen fan that narrows the options a lot IMO. Raku came recommended by friends so on one of the colder days I decided to give them a try via a delivery app. I had the Kani-Annkake Udon and added Chicken Tatsuta-Age as a side the first time. Chicken is ho hum which is surprising as the Kani-AnnKake hit the bulls eye. Packed very well and has a nice thick clear broth and udon though a small portion were excellent probably the best in the city IMO. The Kani meat didn't have that canned smell thankfully and despite the heft upcharge I would order it if you like crab meat. So impressed was I that I ordered a second time very quick. I skipped the Kani and just ordered the plain Annkake Udon with a chicken add on (not recommended) and had brudock salad which is OK. I would recommend this place wholeheartedly and I feel like an in person visit is due soon. read more

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Perfect udon spot for a winter day. The quality of their udon & broth is top notch. Great customer service.

My new go to spot in Toronto, great menu awesome vibes . On my rotation for sure .Staff service welcoming

Walk into the restaurant, I felt like I was back in Japan. The smell of the udon brought back so many memories or Japan. Must have the cucumber salad and eggplant. read more

Solid udon spot in Toronto; however, not worth their wait times in my opinion. Their food is good, but never has blown me away. It is in a nice spot though which allows you to kill time while waiting for a table. read more

Upon entering, it's very reminiscent of restaurants I've come across in Japan, with their curtain-covered doors. My friend and I arrived on a Saturday afternoon, hoping there wouldn't be a line since they are quite popular with long wait times. Fortunately, we were seated at the bar seats immediately, where convenient hooks beneath the tables provided a place for our belongings. The service was great, and washrooms are available. The menu is fairly extensive. I ended up choosing a bowl of Spicy Tan Tan Udon, and it was served in a huge bowl. The Spicy Tan Tan comes with a poached egg, ground pork, mushroom pieces, peanuts, and peppercorns in a creamy and spicy broth. The udon noodles were perfectly springy and chewy. Although the meal left me feeling thirsty afterward, I found the overall meal thoroughly satisfying, and I didn't think the price was too bad for what it was especially because I expected smaller portions. I'd definitely come back! read more

Raku - Bill for 2 with frozen grapes! - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Raku used to be my absolute favourite soup in the city, no question. It's still great, but the gyunan (prime rib beef soup) is just not the same anymore. The quality of beef is lower and fattier than before and it doesn't quite hit the same. Next time I'd rather opt for the mountain vegetable soup. read more

Raku - Gyunan Udon - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Raku offers fantastic Japanese food in an extremely classy and distinguished fashion. The broths are fantastic- extremely rich and flavorful, yet still very light and aromatic. The hot udon varieties were my favorite- nishin and niku being standouts. The service is courteous and professional, and that atmosphere is very fine dining. Due to the restaurant's popularity and small size, there is a wait queue- so be prepared to plan ahead before you go! A great place to go to if you want to impress your friend(s)! read more

Got the - aomori kanjuku apple juice ($6) - yasai kakiage hot udon ($17) - zaru udon ($13) Overall really good! The texture of the udon is great, the price is reasonable, and the restaurant has a nice ambiance. The zaru cold udon also comes with a quail egg / mushrooms / scallions + dipping sauce. I've been here before and would personally recommend the tantan and kani ankake hot udon. read more

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I always love Raku for hot udon soup and noodle texture is the best in canada sofar! But jaja cold udon was little bit salty for me read more

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I had an amazing dinner at Raku. It's a small but very cozy place. A short wait as it was dinnertime on a Friday. The staff was phenomenal and attentive, and the food was delicious. read more

Raku - Tobiten ramen with poached egg and apple juice - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Saw this place on tiktok and was really excited to try it but it did not live up to my expectations. Although the udon was cooked well and tasted fresh, the soup felt very bland. My friend and I got different udon dishes that ended up tasting exactly the same which was disappointing. The highlight was honestly the frozen grapes they gave you at the end read more

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I can't say Raku was entirely on my radar, but I had walked by the place many times and been curious, so I jumped at the chance to grab lunch there on a recent Saturday afternoon. We arrived a few minutes before noon and there was already a small lineup, which was definitely a good sign. We were quickly seated and I began perusing the menu, although I felt pretty certain I already knew what I wanted. And indeed, I ordered the Tantan ("spicy miso pork, peanuts, egg") under the Hot Udon section of the menu. It arrived a little while later and I was immediately overwhelmed by its sheer size. The dish is presented in an almost comically oversized bowl and said bowl is filled almost to the top. It goes without saying that I was unable to finish my food, and I wound up taking about half home. But boy oh boy was this a tasty meal. The broth is just about perfect; it's super flavorful and the level of spice was perfect. And it kept surprising me with new tastes and textures the more I ate it, and I especially liked the distinctly peanutty taste in the background. I could legitimately eat this dish once a week for the rest of my life. We also decided to try a starter, so we got the Yaki Nasu ("deep fried eggplant, spicy miso pork, quail egg"), which reminded me of tartar. We were told to mix everything together and although the flavors weren't quite as bold as I was hoping, I really enjoyed this dish. (It would've been nice if the app and the main had arrived separately instead of together, but that's a minor complaint.) read more

This is the place you go to when it's rainy outside and you want some warm comforting food. I'm a big fan of their Curry Udon -- the noodles are chewy, the broth is thick and smooth and comes in a big portion. I've found however that it lacks salt and spice. Also, this is just a personal preference but I think sweet corn would taste AMAZING in this dish! I'd love if they offered chilli oil with their dishes to amp up the flavour. Overall, it's a great spot if you're feeling under the weather or super cozy! read more

Raku - Curry Chicken Udon - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Some of the best udon in Toronto in the heart of downtown. Storefront is a bit hidden and the restaurant has traditional decor. Service is efficient as well. Prices are a bit high but hungry because the serving sizes are HUGE. I love how everything is made in house, including the udon noodles. I would skip appetizers. The sabazushi was just alright, not sure why it comes in 7s as well as it may be a bit awkward for sharing. If it weren't for the appetizer, this would be 5 stars. read more

Raku - Sabazushi (mackerel pressed sushi) - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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This is food for your soul and heavenly on a chilly day. I love soupy dishes and thought the nabeyaki had so many different elements and textures that gave the dish such fun eating experience. I'm very interested to try their other dishes and will be coming back on another chilly day. read more

Terrible service, waited over 20 mins for my food. Then when I got my tempura udon. I only got 2 pieces of shrimp tempura for $20+ Maybe it was my fault because I only had 35 mins to dine before an appointment, but for that price and that service, ridiculous. read more

I came here again because my boyfriend wanted to try it and this place sure has improved! The broth is less salty (but still saltier than needed) but what made me improve my review was the udon. The udon this time was chewier and more al dente. The order: 1. Wakame Udon- I quite enjoyed the seaweed and broth. The seaweed amount was generous and the broth did not leave me feeling thirsty 2. Gyunan Udon- Honestly, I felt like the beef here wasn't stellar. It just reminded me of hotpot beef. Comparing the two udons, this one was not as worth the price 3. Ankimo- This was tasty! I loved the sauce and used the citrus soy sauce to dip my seaweed from the Wakame udon. Overall, this visit was much better and I would consider coming here again. It's still a little bit on the pricier side for udon but the seating is nice, as is the environment. read more

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Simply exquisite, Raku is a little gem on Queen St. I ordered the Kani Salada and Gyunan Udon. Both exceeded my expectations. Kani Salada is a multi dimensional experience: crunchy, creamy, crispy. Gyunan Udon was soothing, balanced, smooth. Raku: Underrated read more

Raku - Kani Salada - Japanese Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Enjoyed my experience at this restaurant! We ordered the fried chicken, crab udon, short rib udon and finished with a matcha dessert (can't remember the name). Fried chicken was tasty, although nothing special. The udon broths were flavourful, hearty and the udon had a wonderful texture. While pricier than what you might expect to pay for a noodle soup, I felt it was worth it as the meal definitely felt elevated. Restaurant was small but had a nice cozy ambience. My main criticism is that they don't take reservations and the restaurant has quite limited seating, so would recommend either going on a weekday or during non-peak hours. read more

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RAKU never disappoints and pro tip: put yourself on the Yelp waitlist prior to heading out if you're around 30mins away~ I always do this and barely wait 5-10mins in line ( v welcome ) - FYI RAKU does not take resos It's been around 2 years since I last visited and nothing ever disappoints~ Cocktails here surprised me and how good and affordable they are (all under $13) so please do try them out. I love the Mikan fruit sake, and the apple tea one too 4.7/5 Apps~ the chawanmushi, the saba sushi, the charred eggplant with minced meat are a must~ flavour is excellent and nothing over seasoned. Only critique this time is that the eggplant seemed to be slightly undercooked and harder to share. Wish they gave us a fork or knife to slice Udon-the reason RAKU is RAKU, chewy, springy and delicious, soup is always seasoned well and hearty. Perfect for Toronto fall/winter. The duck udon was delish and not fatty at all. The veggie tempura one is lovely for texture-lovers. Crisp tempura that you can choose to slightly soak in the soup. Adds a new dimension to the dish. Service I need to note is decent , both waiters were accommodating and prompt so 7.5/10. Only thing was that they seem to have not much communication btw each other bc repeated incidences occurred. ( the lady server asks for the apps we would like to order to start, the male server 3 mins later asks why we didn't order the main, and the kitchen needed our order... etc). All in all I was just glad the kitchen didn't mix up orders lol read more

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