Raku
category: Udon noodle restaurant, Japanese restaurant
address: 48 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012, United States
worktime:
address: 48 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012, United States
worktime:
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 5–9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 12–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 12–9:30 PM |
| Friday | 12–10:30 PM |
| Saturday | 12–10:30 PM |
| Sunday | 12–9:30 PM |
site: http://rakunyc.com/
rayting: 4.5
services: Service options: Outdoor seating, Kerbside pickup, No-contact delivery, Delivery, Takeaway, Dine-in,
Highlights: Fast service,
Popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining,
Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating,
Offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Comfort food, Healthy options, Late-night food, Organic dishes, Small plates, Vegetarian options, Wine,
Dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Seating,
Amenities: Bar on site, Gender-neutral toilets, Toilets,
Atmosphere: Casual, Cosy, Trendy,
Crowd: Family friendly, Groups, LGBTQ+ friendly, Tourists, Transgender safe space,
Planning: Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations, Usually a wait,
Payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments, Credit cards,
Children: Good for kids, High chairs,
rayting: 4.5
services: Service options: Outdoor seating, Kerbside pickup, No-contact delivery, Delivery, Takeaway, Dine-in,
Highlights: Fast service,
Popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining,
Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating,
Offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Comfort food, Healthy options, Late-night food, Organic dishes, Small plates, Vegetarian options, Wine,
Dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Seating,
Amenities: Bar on site, Gender-neutral toilets, Toilets,
Atmosphere: Casual, Cosy, Trendy,
Crowd: Family friendly, Groups, LGBTQ+ friendly, Tourists, Transgender safe space,
Planning: Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations, Usually a wait,
Payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments, Credit cards,
Children: Good for kids, High chairs,
Name: S****** R*****
Date: 2024-02-04 17:29:09
Rating: 5
Comment: Meets the hype, and worth the wait. I particularly liked that they have a wider selection than most udon or ramen places. Excellent starters that made the experience better. My wife got the tantan udon and I got the yaki stir fry as our mains. Was enough to satisfy our late dinner hunger and also a small lunch the next day. Its hard to pick a restaurant in this soho area as there are so many good options, but this one should be high up on that list, especially if youre craving noodles but not Italian.
Name: J***** N***
Date: 2024-02-03 01:57:37
Rating: 5
Comment: When the aroma of Rakus Niku Udon first hits my nostrils, I am drawn to it like a crack fiend to a lit crack spoon. I immediately get transported to a hole in the wall noodle shop in Kyoto that is playing lofi bangers that Shazam cant pick up. Deep cuts only.I came here alone on my lunch break today as on a cold rainy day, my heart, mind, and soul immediately go to a Raku meal. This is a fantastic place for a solo meal to just come and enjoy your own company... while we are on the topic I get so annoyed when people be posting about how they are going on solo meals. Like cant you just go do that and not post about it? Was it really a solo meal if you gotta tell everyone about it?..... Well I guess Im doing that now just in Yelp form ahahaha damn.The Niku Udons spice level is just enough to make your nostrils run and let out one of those quick little woooo breaths out of your mouth, which is my idyllic spice level.The voluminous bowl, which consists of a light flavorful broth, silk noodles, beef short-rib, nori sansho chili oil, tendon, and honeycomb tripe is my hangover cure. Well that and a couple puffs of a pre-roll but thats neither here nor there.I let out an audible wow on my final sip of the broth, as my soul needed it. My soul been hella tired lately idk why.My only complaint is that $27 before tax and tip is just steep. It cant be a weekly occurrence for me, as much as I would like it to. Once a quarter vibes smh. But that just seems to be the price of doing business these days in New York. Ive spent $27 a lot worse......Still my favorite rainy day meal in NYC.IG @jnov_Tiktok @jnov__
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Name: P*** K***********
Date: 2024-02-01 04:22:52
Rating: 5
Comment: Our experience at Raku was exceptional, with the standout being the Sabasushi – a delightful rendition of the old-style Oshi Sushi. The Gyoza, Tempura, and Agedashi Tofu were equally impressive, creating a beautifully diverse dining experience. The service, spearheaded by Natsumi San, was outstanding, adding a personal touch to our visit. The entire staffs friendliness enhanced the overall environment, making it a truly enjoyable dining destination.
Name: J********* B****
Date: 2024-01-31 21:24:29
Rating: 5
Comment: A week later and I am still dreaming of your perfect noodle soup💕 Shrimp Tempura Udon - mild aromatic broth, exquisite perfectly cooked udon with a Devine side topping marinated shiitake… service was more than attentive considering how busy they were. Definitely recommend reservations ❤️
Name: C******* C****
Date: 2024-01-27 20:12:30
Rating: 5
Comment: I would come back specifically for this one item: Get the Kani Ankake Udon (egg drop soup broth udon with fresh crab). So unique, never seen anything like it before. It comes out VERY hot so dont burn your tongue!
Name: L* A****
Date: 2024-01-12 22:52:30
Rating: 5
Comment: The best udon restaurant in NYC. Their noodle is fresh and chewy. The soup is very flavorful and even though it is quite pricey but worth the money. But the way they eat us is awkward because a long table will be shared with 5 couples. To prevent that, You should make the reservation before coming
Name: T** P***
Date: 2024-01-06 19:54:19
Rating: 4
Comment: I had the gyunan and the meat was super good. The app chicken was very nice, crunchy, and juicy.
Name: W** H****
Date: 2023-12-31 21:08:09
Rating: 5
Comment: Its a must hit spot for udon. The price is great for such excellent quality of food and the portion is great.You really can’t go the niku udon, the broth is rich and filled with umami, but the star is really the beef short rib and tendon. On a cold winter day in New York? It really hits the spot.
Name: S****** C****
Date: 2023-12-28 13:50:24
Rating: 5
Comment: Every Udon was great!
Name: B******* F*
Date: 2023-12-27 05:54:18
Rating: 5
Comment: Niku udon (beef short ribs, honeycomb tripe, tendon) is one of the best bowls of noodle soup in the city. A party of one or two will likely be able to snag a seat at the bar without much of a wait on a late weekday afternoon (3 or 4pm).
Name: M*** T*****
Date: 2023-12-24 16:42:06
Rating: 5
Comment: My only complaint is this place is quite popular haha on the weekends you will definitely be waiting but I think its worth the wait this is my first time really deep diving udon and it definitely didnt disappoint I came for the fried chicken which was bomb as well but the udon was great clear light broth delicious bouncy noodles and excellent tempura, give it a try cause Im definitely returning for their other udons and more chicken.
Name: K******* S***
Date: 2023-12-19 15:54:37
Rating: 5
Comment: This is the place to get udon. We got the niku udon and it was delicious. The short rib meat was so tender and the broth was flavorful and perfect for a cold day. The fried chicken was amazing. The flavors were better than any karage I’ve ever tried. Eat with the sauce. You’ll regret not ordering it. My sister also ordered the chicken katsu dish and said it was delicious too.
Name: M****** R*****
Date: 2023-12-17 22:44:39
Rating: 5
Comment: Came here on a Thursday around 7:30pm and had to wait for about 20mins to get seated. The food and vibe were great and the waitress was very friendly and sweet. If you are looking for a more casual spot in SoHo to get good food, check Raku out!
Name: K****** L****
Date: 2023-12-11 03:17:07
Rating: 5
Comment: Came here for lunch and there was a big lunch crowd. Waited for 45 mins for a table. Its worth it.
Name: A***** L**
Date: 2023-12-02 20:27:07
Rating: 4
Comment: Very long wait time during openingUdon and soup were quite flavorfulChicken was well presented with spicy mayo
Name: R**** G******
Date: 2023-11-28 14:55:52
Rating: 4
Comment: My favorite udon restaurant, but alas, the shrimp tempura has greatly shrunken in comparison with pre-COVID years. It’s mostly the batter. Is this a cost-cutting measure? I would rather pay a few more dollars to eat plump shrimp tempura than eating skimpy ones.
Name: R L
Date: 2023-11-18 03:17:19
Rating: 5
Comment: The food is so good. I love their udon especially the duck udon. The cold udon my friend ordered is very good too. Also recommend their sushi starter. We waited for more than one hour, would be great if you could reserve in advance
Name: T****** V
Date: 2023-11-10 00:17:46
Rating: 5
Comment: One of the best udons in the city!! The noodles are always super fresh, and perfectly soft and springy!Highly recommended going on Resy beforehand, its crowded at any time of day. Really attentive service as well.
Name: A*** G*********
Date: 2023-11-08 20:36:41
Rating: 5
Comment: This place is a fantastic Japanese 🇯🇵 restaurant! Raku has a wonderful selection of Udon Noddles 🍜 and classic Japanese 🎌 dishes! 🍽️ Definitely try the Toriten Udon Soup 🍲 with Chicken 🐔, Pork 🐷 Dumplings 🥟, Spicy 🥵 Cucumber 🥒, and the Fried Chicken 🍗 appetizer too! Service is quick, the place is nicely decorated 🛋️, and the ambience 🎶 is fantastic! I wish I came here more often!
Name: A* S***
Date: 2023-11-04 01:23:29
Rating: 5
Comment: The udon is so good.Soft and fresh, couldn’t find anywhere else like this for sure. I ordered Nameko udon, The soup also was so good. Light with the rich flavor. Amazing.Yaki nasu was so delicious as well.It is better to have a reservation since the store is always crowded in anytime.
Name: T** U****
Date: 2023-11-03 13:11:16
Rating: 5
Comment: My favorite in NYC. The duck udon is unbeatable. The noodles are springy, the meat is tender, the broth has an addictive tang. Plus, the staff are always really friendly, even if the place is super busy. Get a reservation well in advance because they book up fast! I wish I could eat here every single day!
Name: Y******** B***
Date: 2023-11-02 05:31:11
Rating: 4
Comment: Busy, Japanese udon restaurant, ideal for smaller group, 4 or under, just like any other typical Japanese restaurants. It is somewhat small, but not too tight of a place.The servers were very friendly, and our male server was exceptional at recommending dishes based on what I was feeling like. Hw thoroughly explained the menus that he recommended, from appetizer to main.The udons that we had were really good (ebi tempura, duck breast, niku & tantan), which were all soup based, perfect for a chilly & rainy day.p.s. The phone signal is pretty weak in the restaurant, so the QR code for the menu may not work. Ask for a hard copy of the menu in that case.
Name: p*********
Date: 2023-10-22 23:55:12
Rating: 4
Comment: Raku is my favorite udon place. I really love their noodles. The quality of noodles and broth are best in nyc. But 28% tip for lunch? NYC must be honest and change tip rates.
Name: H***** E********
Date: 2023-10-17 23:27:11
Rating: 5
Comment: Noodles are so soft and the broth was delicious! Big fan of the pork gyoza and the tantan hot udon!
Name: T** G**
Date: 2023-10-12 03:34:13
Rating: 5
Comment: The udon is really fresh and the soup tastes awesome! Plus, don’t forget to try the dessert!
Name: J****** I*******
Date: 2023-10-07 21:46:28
Rating: 5
Comment: Busy place but I was dining solo and got placed by the bar directly. Had the Tantan which was excellent (spicy!) added poached egg and the shrimp tempura
Name: P** S****
Date: 2023-10-03 03:03:01
Rating: 5
Comment: Excellent udon in a refined space. Be prepared to wait a couple hours
Name: T** E****
Date: 2023-09-29 00:40:25
Rating: 5
Comment: Excellent food and service sat at the bar and had a really good night. They were happy to serve and chat. We will definitely be back
Name: S****** Y*
Date: 2023-09-19 17:37:57
Rating: 5
Comment: Delicious udon. Their noodle is super chewy and has great texture. The udon soup and shrimp tempura taste great. All of them combined together give a wonderful umami flavor. We also ordered their chilly cucumber and veggie gyoza. I highly recommended. Make sure you make reservations beforehand or you will need to wait in line.
Name: J* K**
Date: 2023-09-15 18:48:54
Rating: 5
Comment: The most delicious udon! My must-visit place in NYC. Vege tenpura was awesome!!! Love udon soup and noodle as well. Seats are not a lot so good for two-person groups.
Name: M*** F*** L****
Date: 2023-09-10 22:48:19
Rating: 5
Comment: This place is THE place for udon in the city. A pretty nice place to dine alone, it’s relatively easy to get a table if you are by yourself. The niku udon and a poached egg is my absolute favorite. I’ve been here multiple times and it still amazes how good it is every time I’m here! The noodles are chewy but soft, the broth is the perfect taste, and the meats in the soup are great. I recommend the niku. Their soba pudding is also delicious!
Name: N***** R******
Date: 2023-09-10 01:04:01
Rating: 5
Comment: Niku udon and fried chicken were absolutely incredible. Spicy cucumber was overpriced and not worth it. We came at 8pm on a Saturday night and sat immediately which was a stroke of luck. Incredibly nice service and great atmosphere. Would recommend!
Name: E***
Date: 2023-09-03 05:24:28
Rating: 5
Comment: Raku is an udon noodle experience that is definitely worth the wait (ours was about 30 mins).I’ve never had chewier udon noodles than at this place. I ordered the chikara udon which came with mochi that became softer the longer it was left cooking in the clear broth 🤤 The food was much more filling than I had initially thought and I left the restaurant feeling so content 😋 Definitely coming back here again!
Name: m*** t***
Date: 2023-08-29 15:37:10
Rating: 5
Comment: I liked their house made upon noodles and cucumber app. Karaage chicken was ok. Service was on point even though there was a wait!!
Name: J****** S***
Date: 2023-08-20 03:45:33
Rating: 5
Comment: I love this restaurant and this is hands down my favorite udon place. I made a resy at this location in advance. It’s cozy and I think a great choice if you have a party of 1-4. Any more may be hard to feel comfortable since there’s only one table that can accommodate. The noodles are such a great texture here but you honestly can’t go wrong with anything you order here. The atmosphere is peaceful and not too loud which was also great for a catch up. They also have an outdoor dining area as well.
Name: A** P**
Date: 2023-08-20 01:02:29
Rating: 5
Comment: Great food. You must try hot udon and Sabazushi.
Name: H**** Z***
Date: 2023-08-18 02:44:26
Rating: 5
Comment: Almost perfect experience! Food, sake, service were all amazing, except that they rushed us out as soon as we finished eating. Highly recommend the pressed sushi & wagyu don
Name: A* G*****
Date: 2023-08-17 00:39:56
Rating: 5
Comment: An excellent place for eating udon... a reservation seems to be required, but walk-ins are seated at the counter, which works just fine... great attention is paid to the customer and service is prompt... we ordered nishin udon and tantan udon plus sapporo reserve.
Name: S***** Z****
Date: 2023-08-12 18:32:42
Rating: 5
Comment: The food is fantastic.The yuzu sparkling water is the best solution for the heat.
Name: M****
Date: 2023-08-06 19:33:58
Rating: 5
Comment: Love their Donburi and udon!UpdateToday, I was at Raku for lunch and ordered shrimp tempura udon. As soon as I received the bowl, I split it and made a mess. Even though it was my fault, everyone was so nice and helped me out. Thank you Raku♡
Name: M****** H******
Date: 2023-08-02 02:06:56
Rating: 4
Comment: I havent had a lot of udon out at restaurants, but this is definitely the best udon Ive had! We got a cold and a hot one. Liked the flavor of the cold with the quail egg and pork, but ultimately cant beat the soothing broth of the hot (with mushroom tempura).
Name: C******** C**
Date: 2023-07-23 18:27:27
Rating: 5
Comment: Duck udon was really goodSpicy cold udon was also really goodBoth had completely different vibesFried chicken app was decent but the sauce wasnt itFried tofu app was great
Name: S***** L*
Date: 2023-07-23 04:09:50
Rating: 5
Comment: Large space with nice atmosphere. food was great and the service was accommodating! there were a few things on the menu that were unavailable at the time but the worker gave me some recommendations that i liked. great!
Name: C* L
Date: 2023-07-13 22:40:31
Rating: 5
Comment: 😍🍜 I absolutely love this place! 🍽️ They serve the best udon I have ever had, hands down! 🥇🍜 The udon is not only tasty but also incredibly delicious and satisfyingly chewy. 🍜😋 Additionally, their fried side dishes are equally delightful and packed with flavor. 🍳🥦🍤 Every bite is a true culinary delight! 😄🌟 If youre a fan of udon, this place is an absolute must-visit. Enjoy the scrumptious noodles and delectable sides! 🍜🍳🥢
Name: J*** N*****
Date: 2023-07-09 03:50:50
Rating: 5
Comment: Come early if you dont have reservations! I came right when it opened and there was already a long line.They have amazing udon here and there are so many options. They werent serving cocktails when I went early on a weekend which was weird. But the food was all so good.I will definitely be coming back to taste the other ones!
Name: A*** J****** (***
Date: 2023-07-03 15:26:18
Rating: 4
Comment: Had the mapo tofu udon and the ankimo as app. Been here a few times and enjoyed all the dishes. Prob wouldnt get this style again tho. Ankimo is small but good size if someone has never tried it before
Name: S**** W***
Date: 2023-06-29 23:08:43
Rating: 5
Comment: Incredible! The menu options were extensive— I have never seen so many seafood options for udon. I tried the hamaguri (clam) and niku (beef) hot udons! First off, the noodles were so chewy and perfectly thick. The clams were so fresh and beautifully cooked. The beef was also delicious. And each bowl’s ingredients paired so well with the broth. My favorite was still the clam udon because I love clams. Will definitely be back to try more dishes!!
Name: M*** J
Date: 2023-06-25 23:02:40
Rating: 5
Comment: A very hyped udon spot that is well deserved. The abundance of social media videos showcasing this spot definitely was a big influence for my trip here. We came right at 12 pm on a Tuesday. There was a small line to enter but it moved along as staff let customers inside.They have 3 locations: 2 in New York and 1 in Toronto.Staff is friendly and professional. They were prepared to navigate the crowd and sat us promptly. Menu matches the interior simple but well thought out.I had the beef niku udon. Broth was comforting with soft chewy steak pieces. Crowd varied from pairs, people sitting alone and big groups of friends.Would definitely recommend a try if you are in the area.
Name: t****
Date: 2023-06-22 12:11:23
Rating: 5
Comment: BEST UDON IVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!! The noodles are handmade with so much skill it really shows. I didnt know that udon noodles could be this bouncy/ chewy/Q but Raku has opened my eyes to it dawg. I feel rebirthed. I got the Yasai Kakiage (Veg tempura) while my friend had the Nameko (mushrooms) and both were amazing. The soup is hearty and so perfect for colder days! The drinks were also so amazing and are a must try! We got the yuzu sake and bloody mari and oh my god. 10s across the board!!!! Im actually going to come back again tomorrow because it was that good lol.
Name: R**** G****
Date: 2023-06-12 02:17:51
Rating: 5
Comment: Absolutely phenomenal. The service, the food, the atmosphere, everything was top notch. I would definitely recommend the pork gyoza, tantan, and vegetable tempura.Also try to get a reservation if possible. There was a long line of people waiting for walk ins when I went that you’d definitely want to avoid.
Name: P**** G****
Date: 2023-06-06 19:10:06
Rating: 5
Comment: This place is absolutely mind blowing 🤯 I loved the Toriten hot udon. The restaurant per se is really beautiful. The food is full of flavours really well curated, I’ll be definitely coming back. I wish they opened in my city!
Name: L**** C***
Date: 2023-06-02 11:25:55
Rating: 5
Comment: Honestly better than I thought it’d be and the hype was real. The udons were plump and chewy and the right amount of texture and flavour, and the flavours are great. I had the spicy beef short rib and it tasted similar to a Taiwanese beef noodle soup and it was perfect for lunch. My friend had the nabeyaki but I felt the soup was too sweet for my liking.MUST try the fried chicken… extremely tender and juicy and the perfect amount of crispy.Definitely wasn’t cheap — the udons were around $25 each and the chicken wasn’t cheap either but it was honestly worth it in my opinion.The service and ambiance was fine, nothing spectacular but the minimalist vibe was cool. Would 1000% go back just for the food.
Name: S** B*****
Date: 2023-05-14 23:29:02
Rating: 5
Comment: Amazing restaurant with fresh, delicious udon. They have many different options for anyone to find one theyll like, and their appetizers are outstanding. Definitely recommend the curry udon and the plum sake.
Name: J***** P***
Date: 2023-05-10 18:11:29
Rating: 5
Comment: Enjoyed the delicious udon here! The broth had layers of flavour and yet it never felt like it was overpowering at any point during the meal. The beef was tender and the udon was very qq. Would definitely come again.
Name: n****** s****
Date: 2023-04-24 02:33:21
Rating: 5
Comment: Okay hands down one of the best udon in the city . We ordered wagshyu beef and fried chicken to start with. My partner ordered Niku ramen and hands down one of the best broth. My tan tan noodles was good too but I kept stealing my partner’s noodles and Niku broth. The waiter saw it and offered to bring shareable bowls haha . My partner outrightly rejected it and said “he is not getting this anymore”. service and vibe is also really great
Name: R*** K**
Date: 2023-04-14 15:26:50
Rating: 5
Comment: Made a reservation for 2 and ordered the agedashi tofu and washugyu tataki as appetizers. Both were amazing. The beef was amazing with the ponzu sauce and garlic/ginger they provide, and making/having the perfect bite was an experience. For our mains, we got the wakame udon and the kani ankake udon. The kani ankake udon had a thick egg soup which stuck to the udon noodles and was amazing. The bits of snow crab they add really adds so much flavor to the broth and the dish as a whole. Definitely would recommend coming here, but make a reservation as it was very busy. The price can vary depending on what udon you order, but it was around $40 for me and $30 for my friend.
Name: K******
Date: 2023-04-09 15:00:12
Rating: 5
Comment: Maybe Im biased bc I love udon, but I love Raku lol. Had to get the kitsune udon since Ive been craving it and its hard to come by kitsune. I loved how it was marinated and huge. It was also an extremely fair price ($14 for the kitsune udon) but still filling. My group of 5 was also so lucky to snag a table during peak dinner hours bc we somehow managed to arrive in between reservations. So we only had an hour to eat, but that worked out for us anyway since we had to be somewhere by 7pm, but Id definitely recommend a reservation or coming earlier
Name: M*** k***
Date: 2023-04-08 03:01:02
Rating: 5
Comment: Real surprise from the great quality and taste. This isn’t a regular Japanese restaurant. All is special and taste wonderfully. Service is friendly.
Name: Y***** M*** (******
Date: 2023-03-28 07:57:14
Rating: 5
Comment: I always recommend this place to my friends. This restaurant has pure soup, and especially the noodles are great.My best udon’s noodle was in Tokyo, and this place also has literally same chewy noodles I had in Japan.I’ve been here many many times since I found this place. Please try the beef curry udon, that’s my favorite one.
Name: R*****
Date: 2023-02-24 00:10:41
Rating: 5
Comment: The noodles were made really well. Just a heads up, the mushroom add on is ONE WHOLE mushroom, it isn’t cut up. I also tried the katsudon and it was surprisingly sweet. Usually, katsudons have a tonkotsu sauce, but this one didn’t. It was definitely a refreshing take on the dish. I recommend getting a reservation beforehand. We didn’t, and we waited an hour which wasn’t that bad. The thing I like most about this place is that the service was really friendly and they even let us go in early when other people didn’t show up on time. I also tried the gyozas and they were crispy and delicious! Overall, a strong 9/10!
Name: E** T
Date: 2023-02-15 06:22:05
Rating: 5
Comment: Quick lunch at 3:30 pm on a Tuesday, but most tables were full!Long story short, their food is good. And the staff was friendly. But if you’re Japanese, do not expect this to be the place to get what you get in Japan. Love that they serve a white strawberry for dessert but wish they serve with a small fork or at least a napkin. Worth spending money here than some mediocre ramen for sure.
Name: I*** S*
Date: 2023-02-05 07:35:55
Rating: 5
Comment: I have eaten all the ramen restaurants in California, including udon. The only thing I can say is that the noodles in here are the best ones I have ever eaten.
Name: P*** C*****
Date: 2023-01-31 13:04:19
Rating: 5
Comment: My favorite place for udon in the city. Its noodles are silky but chewy and with their excellent selection of different kinds of broth, youre in for a treat! Their appetizers are very good, and so is their service.Id recommend going 15 minutes before they open, line up, then get seated as a walk-in. Youd have a good chance of getting seated.
Name: L**** K*** (******
Date: 2023-01-26 20:51:02
Rating: 5
Comment: Raku Udon is my favorite. Ive been to Japan back and forth, and I had some pretty great udon over there as well. But Im not gonna lie. Raku Udon in NYC is authentic. More delicious than most places I have eaten in Japan even.Get the Gyunan Udon and some sushi!
Name: J**** K
Date: 2023-01-22 06:45:44
Rating: 4
Comment: The atmosphere and service was great. The udon noodles were chewy and you can tell it was handmade on the spot. The reason for the 4 stars is because of the broth or the soup that comes with the udon wasnt as good. The curry udon was underwhelming, but the jaja udon was good!
Name: J** P***
Date: 2023-01-16 00:50:50
Rating: 5
Comment: I was craving udon after watching The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House, and decided to come to Raku after a simple google search. I was in the mood for a light broth so ordered the Nameko udon. The udon came freshly made and perfect amount of chewiness. The broth was light, hearty, and honestly healing. It felt like I was eating the udon Kiyo made from scratch for Sumire. Never knew that mushrooms and seaweed make magic. Best udon Ive had in my life.
Name: D**** V*****
Date: 2022-12-25 17:15:40
Rating: 5
Comment: Good Japanese food, tofu was exceptional. Vegetarian gyoza and stir fried noodle more average.It’s cash only.
Name: M** P***
Date: 2022-12-24 14:33:37
Rating: 5
Comment: Ridiculously tasty food. Best udon I’ve had in my life - such a rich and hearty broth combined with noodles that are clearly hand made.Great service too, waiters ready to help with the menu and quick to ask if you are okay. Cannot recommend this place enough
Name: J***** F
Date: 2022-12-21 12:45:48
Rating: 5
Comment: Am not a big fan of carbs but their udon noodle is insanely delicious and tender. Simple soup with simple ingredients, but it worked magically.It is better to reserve in advance, as the place is very popular even during weekday lunches and you could end up waiting for 1hr.
Name: S**** I*******
Date: 2022-12-17 07:08:36
Rating: 5
Comment: Variety of udon options to choose from. Also many side options to customize your main meal. The shrimp tempura goes with everything. I loved the soba pudding. Definitely coming back to try other dishes.
Name: A***** P***
Date: 2022-11-22 01:29:59
Rating: 5
Comment: Probably my favorite udon place in NYC! I love the broth its so smooth and refreshing. I could drink the whole bowl and not get sick of it.
Name: �***
Date: 2022-11-16 20:25:41
Rating: 4
Comment: Noodles are fantastic! Its very chewy and yummy! Udon is excellent!
Name: G****
Date: 2022-11-11 02:20:10
Rating: 5
Comment: Raku is one of very few restaurants in NY where I’ve visited more than 10 times. I’ve been visiting since before the Soho location opened and the food is always on point every time I go. I’ve tried most of the hot udon on the menu and Nameko is my favorite. The broth has a clean taste and very flavorful.
Name: A***** C***
Date: 2022-11-10 17:59:32
Rating: 5
Comment: The udon is really good here, some of the best. the kani ankake is a great option and the agedashi tofu appetizer delicious.staff were friendly but everything seemed rush. they are busy and popular. we had a reservation but the couple that walked-in before us was quoted 2.15 hour wait.
Name: E*****
Date: 2022-11-04 23:15:14
Rating: 5
Comment: Must have fresh udon! Really enjoyed the zaru udon and Niku udon! The niku has such great umami flavor and the meat was so savory and tender ! I liked adding tempera and maitake mushrooms to our zaru udon to give our dipping shoya more flavor ^^ such an aesthetically pretty place for dinner! Be warn it’s pretty packed to make reservations!
Name: Z N
Date: 2022-10-16 03:54:03
Rating: 4
Comment: My favorite that I ordered was the chicken tatsuta-age. The chicken was very juicy and tender. I also ordered the kiku hot udon. I thought it was really good, I just was hoping that beef short ribs were a little more tender but besides that the noodles are delicious.
Name: J*** F***
Date: 2022-10-08 03:04:42
Rating: 5
Comment: Best udon place! The tan tan and tempura udon was really yummy and flavorful. Don’t sleep on the kani (crabmeat) salad, it was really good!!
Name: E**** S**
Date: 2022-10-08 01:47:50
Rating: 5
Comment: Wooooooow!!!!!! This udon has no reason to be this delicious! The broth is super tasty, flat udon noodles are nice and chewy, and the meat was amazing. I was so happy eating this meal 😭We arrived around 6.30pm and waited less than an hour on a Friday night for two people. Definitely worth the wait. Just strolled around the neighborhood and got a snack in the meantime.I’m coming back for sure
Name: K**** L
Date: 2022-09-12 01:22:46
Rating: 5
Comment: Straight to the point, the udon tasted delicious, appetizers were not bad.We arrived at the restaurant on a Sunday night at around 6:20pm, added our name to the wait list. After 30 minutes, we had our table.We ordered 2 main dishes and 1 appetizer. The fried chicken was okay, and it would taste better if the sauce was less spicy.I ordered a beef udon and the soup tasted fabulous (I finished the soup). The beef soup was clear and it smelled so good, that I could have another bowl of soup with rice if I had enough space in my stomach.
Name: L**** T****
Date: 2022-09-09 18:56:49
Rating: 4
Comment: The place is absolutely gorgeous, worth the visit just for the very modern asian look. The food is good, not great. The udon noodles were great, as well as the broth. Otherwise, the tempura was extremely seasoning-lacking, but were fried to a perfect crunch. The sake was average pending to bad, indicating a bad selection. Overall, I would return to try different dishes from their varied menu.
Name: T**** R*****
Date: 2022-08-28 13:56:48
Rating: 5
Comment: This place offers handmade noodles, and you can really taste it.The noodles are very chewy, and the broth and other meat/seafood that comes with it are top notch. The appetizers are great. We got fried chicken and washgyu beef, and I really liked the beef.Id recommend making a reservation since the place is crowded.
Name: C**** Y*
Date: 2022-07-16 04:37:56
Rating: 5
Comment: If you ever wander in East Village and crave udon, this is the spot to be at! Get to their store before it opens because a line already formed when I got there. The interior is small so theres limited seating. The day I came with my friend was a particularly cold day so eating udon was fulfilling and warmed us up to continue our exploration of East Village. The broth in their soup tasted so clean and not oily; full of flavor. Check it out because you will not regret it.
Name: R*** P****
Date: 2022-07-16 04:36:35
Rating: 5
Comment: Definitely my favorite udon place! But also I love the Saba sushi! Love the broth for the udon and the noodle texture is always perfect. Highly recommend this spot to anyone! Came here on a weekend and got sat at the bar. The hostess was super friendly and bartender/server were all great.
Name: Y*** C*****
Date: 2022-07-08 23:32:43
Rating: 5
Comment: This was actually such a great place to get tasty udon! Although the portion sizes of the main courses seem to be on the smaller side, the quality definitely makes up for it. I got the yamakake cold udon with quail eggs and bonito flakes and it was absolutely delicious if you mix up the quail eggs with the entire dish! Would definitely recommend!
Name: C***** C********
Date: 2022-07-08 04:14:02
Rating: 4
Comment: Great Japanese Restaurant in NYC. Almost everything was great. We had Unagi don, Sansai Udon and Yamakake udon, with a couple of appetizers. Agedashi tofu did not taste what it should be though. It taste like pre-made fried tofu rather than how we usually make it. It tasted weird. This is very popular place and got to go when they open to get seating.
Name: A** W****
Date: 2022-06-26 17:56:59
Rating: 5
Comment: Yummmm! Best spot in town for udon. The space is beautifully decorated, with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating. Service staff are super friendly and food was delicious. Keep coming back every time I’m in the area!
Name: J***** Z***
Date: 2022-06-23 01:04:56
Rating: 5
Comment: This place is great! The udon is exceptional - once you try this you know what a real udon is about. The drinks were nice too, a bit sweet to my taste. The gyoza were average tho - almost tasteless.I’m giving 5 stars because the service was great - everyone was super nice, calm, and patient. Very much recommended for a casual dining experience or a date - reserve ahead so you can grab a seated table instead of one on the bar.
Name: W***** A**************
Date: 2022-06-22 04:40:50
Rating: 5
Comment: Every dish I tried was very delicious. The restaurant is cozy. They are always busy, but lunch time is not as crowded as dinner time. I would recommend making a reservation beforehand.
Name: A***** L*
Date: 2022-06-18 05:27:48
Rating: 5
Comment: Great udon place, impressively large udon bowls, very filling and flavorful, quality food and quality service, clean and well executed, especially at this medium price range ($25). Would have liked a bit smaller udon noodles, but small detail. Slight wait for Friday night, 5 min but could be up to 30 min. Definitely a place to visit again.
Name: J**** H***
Date: 2022-05-25 07:29:02
Rating: 5
Comment: We ordered a lot of dishes to try out. Most of them were good and impressive but some could be more creative if possible. Still, the udon noodles were too good, 5 starts for the professional.For me, fried chicken was good, juicy, but the sauce with it was not.Fried tofu was good as well, but the ginger taste in sauce was too strong and almost covered all other tastes.🐟Saba sushi was the best between all the app and side dishes. The fish was fresh and it was grilled at the right point.🍜My main dish, beef udon was interesting. The soup tasted like Chinese/ Taiwanese beef noodles for me which I felt like I picked the wrong flavor since I was looking for a light, Japanese style soup. Still, the noodles were super! VIP of the night. Super chewy and delicious.Will definitely come back for the udon.
Name: A***** W**
Date: 2022-05-17 12:30:42
Rating: 5
Comment: Raku is a go to for many occasions… on a rainy day, to take an out of town friend, a date… basically good for all with cozy Japanese ambiance and really fantastic food.Udon is the star but don’t skip the apps.Fried chicken Karaage, agedashi tofu, and tuna tartar were great for sharing!I like the hamaguri (clam) hot udon when it’s available.This location accepts reservations but I’ve usually gone for a walk in
Name: S******** W***
Date: 2022-05-11 14:17:57
Rating: 5
Comment: Made a reservation on the day of. They do walk in also, but that’s only if it’s not busy. Their udon is always on point. Brought a bunch of friends to this place and they are always amazed by the chew and bounce of their udon. This location takes card payment. The one in east village only takes cash only.
Name: W***** X*
Date: 2022-05-09 20:39:08
Rating: 5
Comment: Beautiful interior that manages to be chic and homey. The noodles are delicious and generously portioned. The fried chicken was paired with a savory and spicy sauce that had fish roe mixed into it.My only criticism is that we ordered a side of mushrooms to add to our udon and it was portioned as 1 mushroom cap.
Name: T***** S****
Date: 2022-04-27 14:32:48
Rating: 5
Comment: 10/10 - Havent been here since 2018 or so, and its just as delicious now as it was back then!kamonan udon - the duck was delicious, super tender and cooked perfectly. texture of the duck and udon were perfectankimo - monkfish liver! very creamy, tart, savory and delicious
Name: Y***** K***
Date: 2022-04-22 14:33:15
Rating: 5
Comment: Delicious as always. We came around 4:45pm without a reservation and was put on a waitlist (told 1 hour wait) however was able to be sat at around 5pm. The service is pretty quick and everything is so yummy. The udon noodles are very chewy and there is many vegetarian options.
Name: q***
Date: 2022-04-19 19:34:20
Rating: 5
Comment: Watch out! These are American portions, not Japanese portions. I didnt realise they also did take away boxes, so Ive stuffed myself full.Went against the grain and went with yaki (fried noodles) instead of soup. Noodles were wonderfully done, best udon noodles Ive had. Must return for their udon soup noodles one day!
Name: L***** Q*
Date: 2022-03-29 20:12:00
Rating: 5
Comment: Not your average udon! Super chewy udon noodles & tasty in the broth. We got the fried tofu skin, toasted seaweed, mochi, and heritage egg as toppings.I could eat here every single day!Fried chicken was also great. Plus they finish it off with free frozen grapes 🍇 a very nice touch.
Name: P C***
Date: 2022-02-21 15:20:16
Rating: 5
Comment: Food is so delicious, always hits the spot on a cold day. High recommend the fried chicken, agadashi tofu, and saba zushi. No wait if you remember reservations. Also have done take out from soho to mid-town and things held up well.
Name: S****** L
Date: 2021-12-19 09:19:16
Rating: 5
Comment: The udon here is really decent.I ordered the Chikara udon, which has chicken and mochi in it.The portion is pretty big, and the broth is really good.While it’s a little pricy, it worths the price.The karaage is really good and juicy as well. However, I personally do not like the cocktail that much. I would recommend their draft beer instead.
Name: E***** C***
Date: 2021-12-09 18:47:45
Rating: 5
Comment: Very crowded even on a Thursday noon. We got the chicken tatsura-age and the gyunan today. The chicken tatsura-age is a must try. Very tender and juicy fried chicken. The gyunan is super delicious as well. I love the broth and the meat, flavorful but not too strong.
Name: J**** J****
Date: 2021-11-29 02:50:37
Rating: 5
Comment: Good selection of sake. Delicious eggplant appetizer. The udon noodles were soft and the broth was flavorful. Service was superb. Highly recommend.
Name: L***** P
Date: 2021-11-29 02:26:08
Rating: 5
Comment: Raku was INCREDIBLE. We made reservations through Resy which we were grateful for because we were able to bypass the line of people waiting outside when it opened at noon.Let me preface this by saying, Im not a soup person. For instance, ramen is generally not my favorite dish. But Raku has won me over with their hot udon noodles. We ordered these two:- Tantan - the broth was so flavorful and the noodles, perfectly chewy. Youll wish your mouth was bigger so you can eat more at once.- Wagyu - the Wagyu was tender and the noodles in this dish were amazing, a little thicker than the tantan. The broth was also unbelievably delicious and not too salty.In addition to the noodles, we ordered the karage chicken, edamame and pork gyoza. Next time well save our stomachs and just order the noodles because the bowls are huge and we only managed to get halfway through them. We were so sad that we were too full to finish.The price was extremely reasonable, the space was lovely with a very clean aesthetic -- not too loud. Great friendly service.Will be dreaming about Rakus udon noodles until the next time we return.
Name: T**** U***************
Date: 2021-11-25 00:09:53
Rating: 5
Comment: Chicken karake is a must. I ordered gyunan udon and it’s so good. The soup is clearer and less salty compared to niku udon. I went with 4 other people and didn’t make a reservation beforehand. Waited for an hour before being seated. Worth the wait though!
Name: w*** k**
Date: 2021-11-20 03:55:07
Rating: 5
Comment: Found this place a few years ago and have been dreaming of coming back. I’m a huge fan of udon, more so than ramen, and Raku has some of the best. Their noodles have good texture and chewy-ness. The broth is super clean and flavourful. The tempura light and crunchy. Really everything is so well balanced.
Name: F** E***
Date: 2021-11-08 20:22:48
Rating: 5
Comment: There was a wide selection of udon to choose from (both hot and cold). i ordered the gyunan udon which comes with washugyu beef and tokyo negi (a type of sweet green onion). upon first bite i could feel the silky smooth texture of the homemade, hand-cut udon. the noodle texture is one of the best i’ve had in the city. the beef was extremely thin-sliced and had an amazing “beef flavor”. it was also not over cooked and extremely tender. the negi was tasty (though they put a little much in there for my liking). their dashi broth is light and balanced in flavor. all in all a must try!
Name: V* V*
Date: 2021-11-06 12:48:26
Rating: 5
Comment: Wow the udon noodles here blew me away! Even after getting them as take out and getting home took me another 30 minutes, the noodles were still very chewy and they have a slight sweetness to them that Ive never had before! Definitely need to come back to dine in to get the full experience
Name: S**** C***
Date: 2021-10-13 18:28:14
Rating: 5
Comment: Raku always has my heart. You can’t go wrong with any of their dishes. My personal favorites are the karage (fried chicken) and the smoked mackerel as appetizers. Their soup based udons are all immaculate! My friend ordered their udon stir fry but it didn’t do the restaurant any justice to order a stir fry lol
Name: A***** Y******
Date: 2021-10-11 20:24:41
Rating: 5
Comment: Had an amazing lunch here. For the portion, the price is really friendly, especially in NYC. The Udon has a great chewability and the bloody Mari is hella delicious. The service was also impeccable.
Name: H C
Date: 2021-10-10 01:02:02
Rating: 5
Comment: The Best Udon.I believe it’s owned by the sushi chef from Kura so I had to try!!Clean, flavor broth + fresh, chewy udon noodle. Had Chicken karaage (👍), and Japanese beef carpaccio (👎) and a simple udon with abura-age (👍)Excited to go back this week and to try fried oysters and tempura!!!!
Name: R**** J*
Date: 2021-09-28 18:19:51
Rating: 5
Comment: Raku is very chill despite being super busy when open. The interior is super clean and brightly lit. Theres a warm modern Japanese aesthetic from front to back. The front dining area that flows into a bar seating area (beer/wine) that flows into a back dining wares. Seating is maximized without feeling cramped. Perfect for casual lunches and dinners in SoHo.The food? Pretty awesome, depending on what you order and your mood.The Chicken Tatsu-age aka Japanese fried chicken is freaking delicious. Its marinated chicken that has been lightly coated with potato starch and fried. Its lighter and crispier than Chicken Karaage (also a fried chicken dish, but not served here)--and dare I say, this fried chicken is just as good. Its served with a mildly spicy dipping sauce. $8 (small)/$12 (large)Tantan Udon is a MUST ORDER! Its bowl of Udon in warm broth + spicy miso pork, ground peanuts, and egg. First, this is a spicy dish. The layers of flavor are there from first slurp of Udon to the last. This dish works for me from the presentation in the giant stone/ceramic bowl to the colors of the broth to that mix of savory scents to perfectly cooked Udon. Again, order this. $14Drinks? Manageable list of wine & Japanese Beers. I opted for the Sapporo Reserve which paired nicely with Tastu-age and Tantan.The service? Excellent from the host to the servers. Genuinely friendly and helpful.You can make reservations, but they welcome walk-ins.
Name: C******** C*****
Date: 2021-09-25 04:21:12
Rating: 5
Comment: Best Udon!!!! So chewy. The texture of the udon will blow your mind. And please always order their tatsuta-age marinated deep fried chicken. You will not be disappointed.
Name: J** L*****
Date: 2021-09-06 04:34:15
Rating: 5
Comment: Best udon hands down. The noodles here are perfectly chewy and the broths pack a ton of flavor. Both the hot and cold udon are amazing, you really cant go wrong here so Id suggest changing it up and trying something outside your usual comfort zone! The cold udon is perfect for those hot days especially with outdoor seating. As for covid practices, they have barriers setup for their outdoor space and there is sanitizer provided at the table.
Name: K**
Date: 2021-09-03 17:30:30
Rating: 5
Comment: Got the chicken tastsuta-age, sansai udon and the kamonan udon.The chicken tastsuta-age was very tender and juicy. The breading was a little on the heavy side but the cook made up for it.The sansai udon was my favourite. A true kombu broth if youre looking for one!The kamonan udon had great duck and a unique tasting broth!Staff was very friendly and had great service.
Name: M****** L**
Date: 2021-08-28 19:18:40
Rating: 5
Comment: Delicious, high quality food at extremely reasonable prices. The best thing we had was the chicken tatsu-age. It was perfectly fried and was accompanied by an amazing sauce for dipping. The tan tan noodles were rich and came in a very large bowl. The noodles were much softer than I had expected. It was a great experience with wonderful service. Im surprised that I hadnt heard of Raku before, but now that Ive experienced it, I will definitely be going back.
Name: E*** F***
Date: 2021-08-26 22:14:21
Rating: 5
Comment: Perfect. Agedashi tofu and the Donburi were amazing. We tried the Kastsu-don, the Oyako-don and the Unatama-don, one was better the the next. We also had the yaki nasu with quails egg, unreal. The miso soup was made with a bit of egg and just the right amount of msg. Overall this place is perfect. If you are down in Soho, you should 100% stop in. Staff was friendly, food was great and the atmosphere was laid back. Food came out in a timely manner (not too slow, not too fast) and we never felt rushed to leave. My one complaint is they dont have a location closer to me.
Name: L**** L
Date: 2021-08-16 23:39:15
Rating: 5
Comment: Great tasting soup broth and bouncy homemade udon noodles. My niku order looks less impressive than it tasted, the beef is tender and unctuous but hidden under the soup.
Name: Y***** C***
Date: 2021-08-03 15:17:56
Rating: 5
Comment: Authentic handmade udon. Would really recommend the cold udon. For appetizers, the tatsuta age was amazing. The chawanmushi was really unique and flavorful with yummy dashi!The food is also pretty cheap (udon was $9). Overall a 5/5 authentic udon spot!!
Name: p***** j***
Date: 2021-07-03 15:50:54
Rating: 5
Comment: One of the best karaage Ive had.. also got the tantan udon and ebi (shrimp) udon. handmade noodles were fantastic
Name: A**** X
Date: 2021-07-02 22:51:30
Rating: 5
Comment: The place is amazing. We ordered the Wagyu Udon, Niku Udon, and Unatama Don( Eel over rice). They all taste great. The only thing I dont enjoy is the fried tofu, which is too gingery. Definitely will come back
Name: J**** Z****
Date: 2021-06-21 06:53:24
Rating: 4
Comment: I have always wanted to try Raku and it certainly lived up to its hype! The ingredients are very fresh, for most of the dishes. The uni was questionable as a few pieces were very bitter (was quite disappointed as the dish was pricey) and the soba savory and sweetness taste was completely covered by bitterness coming from that enormous amount of shredded radish, (I didnt mix it at all but still tasted it).
Name: Y***** S****
Date: 2021-06-18 23:47:21
Rating: 5
Comment: Had wanted to come to this restaurant for a while and was not disappointed. I got the bloody mari drink which was an excellent cocktail and then got the sansai. The broth was light and the noodles were delicious. Highly recommend
Name: B** L**
Date: 2021-05-18 22:45:39
Rating: 5
Comment: They have a really extensive menu. Everything I ate was delicious and executed well, while still being a very reasonable price. The udon had a nice chew and the service and ambience is very refined given the price point!
Name: D**** K**
Date: 2021-04-09 15:52:55
Rating: 5
Comment: I think I can eat their food everyday.... Love, love, love!!!! If you haven’t yet, you must try. But if you are only traveling the city or live far away, think twice. It could cause mental distress after you taste it, for you will be missing it soooo much. Haha. One of my friend who left to different state said what he misses the most is Raku, and I think it will be true for me too if I ever leave NYC.
Name: C******** T****** (*****
Date: 2021-03-31 02:51:35
Rating: 5
Comment: Beautiful outdoor dining space and the staff is so careful with Covid protocols: temperature checks, hand sanitizer in every table and partitions between tables. All the udon options are delicious with wonderful dashi broth. The cold teas are so rich and flavorful and refreshing. The green tea tiramisu is also so creative and a must try dessert.
Name: O***** S***
Date: 2021-03-20 21:05:29
Rating: 5
Comment: Great food! I got the ebiten udon and it was really yummy! The noodles are so chewy and the tempura is crispy and flakey. Donburi was kind of too salty for my taste.
Name: H K
Date: 2020-12-31 19:23:45
Rating: 4
Comment: The best udon noodle in nyc!There are around 10 outdoor dining tables with 4-5 heaters. It was still cold, but the noodle definitely warmed me up.I wouldn’t recommend the place in freezing winter especially only outdoor dining is available. But would be perfect when you’re looking for a quick meal with hot bowl of noodle!
Name: M*** C
Date: 2020-12-09 20:48:20
Rating: 5
Comment: Great noodle place over all.If you are a udon (우동) lover, you must try their noodles.Fried Chicken appetizer is great but little pricey.Gyoza is okay but not so special compare to others.Fried Shrimp Udon is light and good.Seaweed Udon wad goodCold noodle is regular.Curry Udon was great for even 2 persons with extra noodle.If you are the first time or beginners for Udon, I do not recommend you this place because you may not tell the difference with regular Udon.
Name: M****** C******
Date: 2020-11-20 04:30:34
Rating: 5
Comment: I highly recommend this place, even with the hour long wait we had, it was worth it. I am usually not an udon fan, but this place, I want to come back for their udon!First we got the karaage. It was really tasty, a perfect amount of salt, and was actually a good portion.I got a curry udon bowl and omg, it was huuuggeee! I love curry so this was perfect. The noodles were thick and just the right amount of chew with the broth that was rich and tasty.They have an extensive outdoor seating for those that want it and indoors, all the tables have partitions in between them.
Name: S**** E*******
Date: 2020-11-15 01:45:55
Rating: 5
Comment: I ordered the curry udon bowl with a poached egg, nori. For appetizer we had fried chicken and tofu. So so good. I totally recommend this place. The staff are polite and knowledgeable. They check your temperature upon entering the restaurant. The wait time is kinda long. For a table for four it was an hour wait. Best to show up early evening like 5pm.
Name: B* M*****
Date: 2020-08-29 23:36:47
Rating: 5
Comment: Lovely, friendly, and attentive Japanese spot for some of the silkiest, bounciest udon you’ll ever let touch your teeth! We truly enjoyed a little bit of appetizers and udon tonight, on such a beautiful night in New York City, and enjoying this freedom responsibly. We had the Uni don (uni and roe over seasoned rice), the roe was just so full of umami, perfectly tender and full of flavor, and very freshly made. Also enjoyed the monkfish liver, the tantan udon, nigori sake! Thanks for the fun night.
Name: H*** Y* W**
Date: 2020-05-07 01:32:40
Rating: 4
Comment: Raku is one of my Japanese boss’s favorite restaurants and we visited there a couple of times with a larger group. The decor of Raku is elegant, classy and bright.We highly recommend to have their signature udon and side dish karaage for the first try. The food was delicious and delicate with reasonable price even though the portion was small.I had Oyako Don which was chicken and egg over the rice last time and it was pretty decent. The chicken was tender and the onion was sweet-flavored.
Name: D*****
Date: 2020-02-17 08:18:08
Rating: 4
Comment: This is a cool udon restaurant. Its in a great location, the food is pretty good and the inside is very well decorated. The big open windows make eating here a nice place to people watch as they walk by. The staff is very friendly and attentive.
Name: S***** M**
Date: 2020-02-11 01:39:27
Rating: 5
Comment: Exciting that this location opened in Soho! It even takes reservations! The food is just as good as the original East Village location. We enjoyed the Nameko and rich Kani Ankake crab and thick egg hot udon, and shared an appetizer of the fried chicken with came with a mayo sauce with roe mixed in for a seafood kick. To finish, we had the green tea chiffon cake with green tea ice cream (they ran out of black sesame ice cream!).
Name: A***** S***
Date: 2020-01-20 13:50:40
Rating: 5
Comment: Hands down our favorite place.1. Best iron noodles in town. They are chewy unlike many over cooked udon noodles at other places.2. Broth is flavorful. It’s always piping hot and never too salty.3. Toppings are amazing, from mountain veggies (not sure what that actually means, but it includes different roots/stems/leaf of delicious veggies). While I love my meat and seafood, I always go for the mountain veggie or mushroom bowl.4. Generous portions! You can also get extra noodles on the side for $3.Fried chicken is also delicious! While I won’t say it’s the best I’ve had, it’s perfect appetizer before the best bowl of udon in NYC.SOHO location takes CC and you can make reservation online.
Name: J**** S***
Date: 2020-01-19 02:05:28
Rating: 4
Comment: Really really liked Raku when I went for a birthday lunch with some co-workers! We were one of the first few parties in and were on a bit of a time crunch. The service was prompt and excellent. They had our food out in very short order and it was very enjoyable. I had the fried pork and rice dish which was very good but (to me) just short of 5 stars. Will definitely be back in the winter to try the noodles.
Name: C**** H**
Date: 2020-01-17 16:58:51
Rating: 5
Comment: The udon is perfectly cooked. So nice and chewy. Super busy so always try to make a reservation! I ordered Niku which is beef and honeycomb tripe. They were so perfectly cooked and marinated. Highly recommend. The fried chicken is also really good. Coming back again soon.
Name: M****** C***
Date: 2019-12-16 22:10:17
Rating: 5
Comment: My friend and I came here on a Saturday night at 7PM. It was a little crowded for dinner rush but I would definitely recommend making a reservation if you can since this location accepts reservations (east village one does not). We only had to wait 30 minute so it wasn’t that bad but you can save yourself the time if you can.The restaurant itself is very nice. There’s two dining areas with tables and a bar area. We sat at the bar and the waiter was very attentive.For food we shared the tarsus-age (fried chicken). It was one of the better Japanese fried chicken I’ve had. It came out piping hot and the pieces were pretty big. Definitely a must get if you go there. I got the chikara with a shiitake mushroom, toasted nori, and a poached egg. My friend got the niku with toasted nori and a shiitake. All the toppings come on the side so you can add them in as you like. I was surprised at how but the shiitake mushroom was actually so if you’re a mushroom lover you won’t be disappointed. The broth for both was extremely flavorful. Mine had a cleaner taste and was clearer. Great udon too. You can tell they’re homemade because the ends are irregularly shaped and some areas are thinner or thicker. Cooked to perfection and had the right amount of chewiness. We got pretty full from the everything since the portions were so big! Great place to come to on a cold winter night.
Name: R** C***
Date: 2019-10-13 20:09:40
Rating: 5
Comment: This place is so unassuming but their dishes are packed with rich flavors accompanied with the wonderful service of their staff.Plenty of appetizers to choose from to start your meal, I recommend getting the chawanmushi topped with uni. Its the epitome of umami, so youll leave wanting more. Their udons come in large bowls so come hungry. Everything is a la carte so if you want to try everything, (lots to choose from!) things can add up.Surprised that they accept reservations especially since the other location only has a wait list. Highly recommended!
Name: A*** A**
Date: 2019-07-06 21:30:48
Rating: 5
Comment: Nice udon restaurant with some great appetizer options! I loved the mackerel (3 pieces for $5).Udon bowls are generously portioned. The Niku had very tender beef and a deliciously light but flavorful broth - like a Japanese version of beef noodle soup.
Name: M*** H**
Date: 2019-07-06 18:29:55
Rating: 5
Comment: Have been a huge fan of their LES restaurant ever since it opened shop few years back and their spacious new location is no different (also helps that it deflects some of the customers from the original shop). What I really appreciate about Rakus udons is their simplicity. Their light, umani-packed broth manage to never outshine the star ingredient: udon. The handmade Udon is so ever so firm and chewy, perfectly-dente in the world of noodles and pasta. Five star for both the staff and service. Could not ask for a better bowl of Udon in all of New York.
Name: E****** I*
Date: 2019-07-01 10:13:42
Rating: 5
Comment: Amazing noodles, especially the texture. Great ambience and service. We will be coming back. Second the reviews on price and portion!
Name: A**** K********
Date: 2019-04-27 13:14:30
Rating: 5
Comment: Loved the atmosphere, the wood accents really made me feel like I was in Japan. The udon was delicious, I got the sansai. Also pictured is the yaki nasu, which was spicy and tasty. Our server was extremely diligent in refilling our water throughout the evening, which I really appreciated.
Name: M Y
Date: 2019-04-22 12:21:21
Rating: 5
Comment: Came here twice- Tried Niku(ox tail), ebiten(fried shrimp temepura), and cold udon. Except Niku i liked other rest two menu. I wanted to have delicious soup-(but clean, simple flavor) which ebiten was perfect choice. Niku was too flavorful- that washed off& lost the true basic taste of soup. To me- it didnt feel special- like regular chinese noodle soup. But noodle itself has amazing texture. Super chewy! First time i had bite- i was blown away. Cold udon was amazing too. At the end they give out frozen grape. Nice.
Name: S** S*
Date: 2019-04-21 23:01:28
Rating: 5
Comment: I am not a noodle person but Raku’s noodle making me return. Personally I like this location more than the original one in East Village as the seat is always available and the high quality of food is well maintained here too. The service is quick. Raku’s noodle is very chewy and cut in perfect length - not too long to tangle or too short to feel it before swallow. Both the veggie option and meaty option are good depending on what mood. The gyunan udon is my favorite by far as the rich soup is unbeatable. A half star rounded up in my rating that can be improved is the beef meat - it might be pre-cooked to get rid of the impurities and make the stock cleaner, but the knock-on impact is the tough meat.
Name: S****** M********
Date: 2019-03-27 03:16:59
Rating: 5
Comment: The portions here are good sized for the main course and most of the appetizers. After sharing appetizers with a group I wasnt able to finish my meal. The main dishes mostly consist of noodle dishes but there is a large variety of appetizers and the drinks are pretty good too.
Name: J**** R********
Date: 2019-01-21 16:40:12
Rating: 5
Comment: Excellent short ribs Udon noodle, the broth was really delicious and it was well balanced. great tempura, and the Vanilla Ice Cream Whisky was amazing. The Sake was truly super.
Name: M****** T**
Date: 2018-12-11 21:06:47
Rating: 4
Comment: This might possibly be the best udon Ive ever had in my life. I dont think Ive even had real udon until Raku.A friend and I came in on a Friday night with a reservation for 6 pm (make sure you reserve!). I had the Niku Udon (beef short-ribs & honeycomb tripe), which is their more popular option and it did not disappoint. I thought the short-ribs were only okay, but everything else was amazing. The udon was like little pillows of heaven, and the tripe was nice and flavorful and tender. The broth was great as well. Its a pretty big portion too, and youll be full from the broth. We didnt order any apps but we were stuffed. For drinks, we had a bottle of the prosecco, which was reasonable at $30. It tasted pretty light and crisp at first but the more we drank, the sweeter it seemed to get.I definitely want to come back to try some of their other udon and some apps.
Name: M******* S***
Date: 2018-09-18 07:40:42
Rating: 5
Comment: Food: 10/5Service: 5/5Atmosphere/Ambiance: 5/5Overall: 100% would come back.Excellent!! I have been to the original location once and craved their delicious udon for a month since going. Was super excited to go to Raku with my friend, this time trying out their new location. We went for lunch, around 1:30 and were seated promptly. Service is attentive and friendly.The new location is much more roomy and airy, tables are spaced out from each other and not crowded. Its much quieter as well, and more relaxed. At the original location I felt I had to eat pretty quickly because the tables turnover frequently, but at this location I could take my time and eat at my own pace. Decor is minimalist but contemporary with a lot of off white and light, natural wood. There are two bathrooms located downstairs.We ordered a bowl of udon each, I ordered the chikara udon (chicken, negi, and mochi) with an add on poached egg. My friend got the sansai (mountain vegetable) udon. The udon here is so good. I have visited Udon Maruka in Japan and its better here at Raku. The noodles have a luscious chew and are very smooth! The broth and meat are good as well, but the noodles... are the star of the show. The broth is delicious though too. I enjoy steaming my face in the large bowl before I dig in.The price is reasonable for what you get. The serving size is very generous and will fill you up. The food itself is pretty easy to digest and light, theres just a lot of it. Very satisfying meal. 10/10 would come back again. Raku is amazing! Best udon place I have tried! Ive been telling basically everyone I know about this place! It is so good!
Name: Y** C**
Date: 2018-08-19 23:54:05
Rating: 4
Comment: I wouldve given this place 5 stars. I usually dont even like udon but its actually really good here. The noodles taste super fresh and light yet flavorful. BUT the server messed up my order and I ended up with the jaja which was slightly spicier and saltier than I was in the mood for. AND she forgot to put in the order for the mackerel sushi so we ended up having to wait longer for that after we asked about it. My sister got the wagyu beef udon which was so light and tender but amazing! Will definitely come back to try more... Just hope service is a bit better next time.
Name: S***** C****
Date: 2018-08-18 17:52:42
Rating: 5
Comment: Fantastic udon place! We ordered vegetable tempura udon and cold noodles, both of them were so delicious! The service was nice, and the environment is very comfortable, and it’s very reasonable pricing! Highly recommended!!
Name: B**** M*****
Date: 2024-02-04 23:14:02
Rating: 5
Comment: Incredible udon and other Japanese food items. Watch out for a proper line at busy times.