Overall: Raku is simply packing way more punch than what you expect. The interior is super nice and classy, the food taste great, the service is phenomenal, and the price is on the lower end. Food: I ordered the buta shabu per a friend's recommendation. It had such a delicate and refined taste, each bite you could clearly tell what was put into the dish and the intention behind each component. Very refreshing, the kind of dish where you can eat a lot and still feel good about yourself afterward. The chicken was also fried very lightly, a trend I enjoy about this place. Brined very well so that the chicken itself had plenty of flavor and super tender. Service: The service here is great, the staff is very accommodating of allergies and made every possible step to make sure that our experience here would be fantastic. Ambiance: This is a nice sit-down place, great vibes for a nice night out. read more

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Fantastic find this trip! We went about 15 minutes before they opened because we read online that it's super popular and there's always lines before they open. We got there and there were already people lined up, but we still got seated inside right away. There are some booths inside as well as a long table down the middle for communal seating. They do have some lunch specials available for ordering, but we opted to go for the regular menu. It is SO busy here and every seat filled up fast. The staff is friendly but incredibly efficient, they came to take our order right away and the food came out quickly! I had been craving a bowl of udon, and this Gyunun Udon with ribeye beef absolutely hit the spot! It's probably the best udon I have had in months, just thinking about it right now has my mouth watering! The sashimi was so fresh, the Tatsuta-age was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and there was not one thing I ordered that I would not come back and eat again. Can't wait for my next visit! read more

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I'm so happy that this Raku location opened up! I was headed to a Broadway show and thought that this would be the perfect place to grab a bite beforehand! Raku is the perfect middle ground between upscale and fast food. The food DOES come out very fast, but the ambiance has an elevated feel to it. They don't take reservations for less than 3 people, so I just took the chance and walked in. I was seated at the communal table, which ended up being just fine. I decided to go with the Sansai and added a poached egg. The whole dish was delightful. The broth was packed with flavor, a little bit of umami and a little bit of sweet. I loved the veggies in the dish and each of them were unique. The egg was poached perfectly and gave the dish the perfect amount of creaminess. The star, however, were the noodles. I've never had such bouncy and chewy noodles in my life! Each bite was a delight. I was able to have a nice sit down meal and be out of here in less than an hour to catch my show on time. This is definitely a go-to if you're in the area and especially, if you're heading to a show! read more

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

Good noodles! Ive heard so much about raku and finally got the chance to try it on this trip out to nyc. My friend and I came right around opening on a Sunday and there was no wait. However, they do seat pairs right next to other pairs in one single long table which is a bit awkward. I wanted a cold noodle dish and ended up with the buta shabu udon. The waitress explained that these would use the silkier noodles, however I should've asked if I could sub it out for the original chewy ones. The portion was plentiful, pork belly was nice and charred, and the sesame sauce was really good! I just wish I could've tried the thicker noodles. It might not be the best spot for a nice dinner but the quality is good and it's reliable! read more

Raku - Buta Shabu Udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I loved this location of Raku! Its nestled behind a cute cafe with different desserts that I am dying to try next time. I got the vegetable tempura udon and it was sooo delicious. Raku's udon always warms me up on a cold day! The noodles were perfectly chewy and the broth was so flavorful! Would definitely recommend coming at open or with a reservation to make sure you get a seat. My server was very attentive and nice. Looking forward to coming back soon. read more

Raku - Vegetable tempura udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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The udon at Raku is always outstanding. With the addition of the patisserie, absolutely top tier. The service was quick and efficient and the layout is good for large and small groups. Definitely recommend the dacquoise and chamomile mango mousse. read more

Raku - Kambo sukiyaki with aburaage - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I've been to other Raku locations, and my opinion still holds. Raku is my favorite soot for udon! The noodles are the perfect texture of bouncy and chewy. And the broth is always so light and refreshing. The chicken tatsuta-age is always a must get in my opinion. The outside is so crispy, while the chicken is still so juicy. And the sauce it comes with always hits. Ebiten and gyunan are both crowd pleasers, and are good go tos when you're not sure what to get. I tried the yasai kakiage this time. While I loved the broth and noodles, I thought the tempura was okay, as it was quite oily. Each piece itself was light because the pieces were so thin. But then also because the pieces were so this, I think you just consume more batter in the end, and it just felt greasy. read more

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A welcome addition to the neighborhood for clean, ingredient focused Japanese fare. Raku is casual but aesthetic. The space is well lit. The tables are private and comfortable. Our food came out quickly after ordering. The menu is reminiscent of an "Izakaya" with a good variety of appetizers, soups, sushi/sashimi offerings, and even Sake. The Kani salad was full of fresh ingredients with a truly crisp Frise as the base but the Kani itself did not add much so I would avoid the option. The spicy cucumber is skippable. The Salmon Oshizushi was really tasty. The Niku Udon was incredible - the noodles felt like they were hand pulled and the meat was incredibly tender. Finally I also had the Chawanmushi with the addition of Uni - incredibly silky and full of premium ingredients. I had the green tea tiramisu for dessert but really was not a fan. Overall a great place for a quick and clean meal. The variety of menu options and quality of ingredients will bring me back. read more

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A great spot for udon! Visited here from a friends recommendation and I'm here giving this place the same high praise. From the friendly staff, to the modern designed eating space, and of course the udon that was perfectly cooked with the right amount of chew, what's not to love? The dessert shop up front also helped end the meal as the soba rice pudding was to die for. Overall, would highly recommend Raku to anyone looking for some Japanese food, especially their homemade udon dishes! read more

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If you're in NY, this restaurant is an absolute MUST VISIT. Where do I even begin? There's not one flaw I can think of when I went... granted it was my first time going :D But I want to go every day now! And you best bet every time I visit NY, Raku's going to be on my food list. My friend lives and breathes Raku and she swears by the Niku Hot Udon, so I followed her recommendation and I have to say the same. YOU MUST GET THE NIKU UDON! I got the regular version and my friend tried the spicy version, and she said next time she'd stick with ordering the regular (which is her go-to). The udon noodles are cooked so perfectly - bouncy and chewy, and the broth isn't too heavy or oily. It's so so good and even though I was so full, I couldn't stop eating! Definitely want to try the other dishes they have on their menu but also will forever get the Niku because it was THAT good. The inside is super cute as well - really clean and new and conveniently right behind their pastry/dessert shop, so cute! If you're visiting NY, you have to clear a lunch slot for Raku. It's seriously a must try and you won't regret it, trust me! read more

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

One of my favorite locations in this chain, this spot consistently brings me back to my time in Japan. The udon is comforting and beautifully balanced, and the appetizers are just as memorable. The broth, in particular, is rich and deeply satisfying. The ambiance is inviting without feeling crowded, making it a place I'm always happy to linger in. I look forward to returning. read more

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LOVED my udon noodles here! The texture was amazing and the crab was delicious and fresh. The rest of the toppings were also yummy and the broth was very flavorful. Loved the shared table vibe inside. read more

Raku - Kani ankake udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Delicious udon spot! The inside of the midtown location is very minimalist yet still warm and inviting. We put our name down around 6pm and the wait was only 20 min, which is not bad compared to prior. We got the agedashi tofu and veggie gyoza for appetizers. Both were tasty and very clean. The gyoza were cooked perfectly. They were having some specials for their 10th anniversary, so we tried the autumnal mushroom udon off of that menu. Udon were delightfully chewy and it featured so many different types of mushrooms- delicious! Large portions so I took the rest home for lunch the next day. They also have a beautiful dessert counter but we did not try anything from there. Perfect dinner for a fall night! read more

Raku - Autumnal mushroom udon - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Not a udon expert by any means but this is by far the best place to eat it. Appetizers looked amazing. The maguro don had great quality tuna. Don't get the ribeye udon. The steak is essentially overcooked and rough. The udon itself is amazing. read more

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Love this cute udon spot! They also have a dessert bar at the front of the shop which all looked delicious. This udon was very delicious and they have unique flavors like this cold crab udon I tried. It was light and refreshing and a unique flavor. I got a side of tempura and sake and the tempura came out hot and crispy. It went very well with the udon and nigori sake. The service was very friendly and fast. I highly recommend this spot to any one in the area. Great location! read more

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Raku is one of my go-tos when I want a consistently delicious + authentic bowl of udon! Walked in with a friend on a Saturday afternoon and waited only ~5 min before a table was ready for us. We were planning on just splitting one bowl of udon, since we weren't too hungry, but Raku has a one order per person policy, so we ordered an app + udon to share. The Agedashi Tofu melted in my mouth - it's a soft fried tofu with a ginger soy sauce, topped with bonito flakes. The Yasai Kakiage Hot Udon came with a lovely plate of veggie tempura (carrots, sweet potato, onion, eggplant) + the broth was SO YUM! Clear and not heavy at all. Service here is fantastic. This is the only location I've been to where they had a separate dessert bar. If you plan to only have dessert, they give you bar seating at the front of the house. Great experience! read more

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Always a line, but the udon is so worth it. We were sitting in a communal table so it was a bit hard to hear, but still a ton of fun. I got the mushroom udon, which was incredible. The chicken karrage was a bit underwhelming. Come early and get a table! read more

The noodles have a great texture here but the broth does run on the salty side for my taste - I noticed it both this visit and my last visit a couple of years ago (I tried the truffle dumpling one this time but I don't remember which one I got previously). (My brother wasn't bothered by the saltiness though.) The wait can be long here so I recommend a reservation (as a tip: they won't put you on the waitlist if all members of the party are not present). We ended up sharing a semi communal long table with other guests since we were a party of 2 but there are also booths present in the restaurant if you want a more intimate setting. I might come back and try a different dish / one of the desserts from the patisserie out front read more

Raku - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Most disappointing meal i've had in some time. Food was mediocre & way overpriced. Service was chaotic. Temperature was stifling, maybe because we got seated directly adjacent to the kitchen on a birthday reservation. Heat was so bad it ruined my food - cold udon dishes sitting in heat turn into crappy picnic pasta salads pretty fast. Spicy cucumbers were maybe the most overpriced, disappointing dish i've ever had. Skip it! Not nearly worth the hype. read more

I can see why this place is so popular. Though I initially had my skepticism of how good udon can be, I changed my mind after having their udon. Pics do not do them justice. Not only were the noodle super chewy, the broth was also very delicious along with the tender beef cubes. Definitely worth a try if you are in NYC. I also enjoyed their apps, especially the chicken karaage-- very meaty, tender, and juicy. And I also like how the sauce had bits of masago in it. Service was efficient and friendly. Would for sure come back. read more

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I am came here twice in the last month. The restaurant is large, but seating is limited. If you come during peak times, prepare to wait. If you have a stroller, best to fold it up if you can. Otherwise, there is limited room for it. Food: Wagyu tartar - great flavor, very thinly sliced. It is nice to get if you are looking to treat yourself. I didn't get this on my second visit because I couldn't justify the cost vs food ratio. Gyunan udon - the noodles are undoubtedly exceptional. Very soft. Word to wise, don't dilly dally on eating. The noodles lose their bounce if they sit too long in the soup. The meat was very tough, so I wouldn't get this again. Vegetable Tempura udon - noodle great, but the vegetable selection was a little disappointing. It was mostly onion. When I returned, I learned from my previous visit. Kitsune Udon- There is only one piece of tofu here. It is really not worth it. It is a better deal to just get extra noodles and share the soup of another udon soup. Wakame Udon - I liked this one, it has seaweed, mushrooms, some spinach. This I would get again. Gyudon - tasted great. This I would get again. Gyoza - you only get 6, but they were quite filling. I wouldn't say they were anything special. Great place, would come back! read more

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Raku in east village is one of my favorite udon places in New York and I was excited to see them open a new location in midtown. This location does take reservations and they are much more spacious compared to the East Village location. In addition - they have desserts and coffee in the front. I would recommend making a reservation online since they do get pretty busy. They will only seat you when your whole party is here or almost here. The staff was very friendly and welcoming and the decor of the place is amazing! For food - I usually either get the Kiku or Gyunan. This time I got the Gyunan, once again the noodles are delicious, perfectly bouncy in your mouth and the soup is so rich and flavorful. The bowls are huge and there is a good amount of noodles and fillings in there. We got sushi to share which was also very good and the truffle wontons are slightly on the expensive side but they are very truffley and good! For dessert we got the Matcha Tiramisu and the Earl Grey Panna Cotta. I thought the Tiramisu was just alright but the panna cotta was really good especially if you are a fan of earl grey! Overall - great vibes and yummy food. Highly recommend checking this place out! read more

Raku - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

We walked in on a Friday early evening around 5pm and were seated only upon fully party arrival for 3 people, but were seated immediately. The restaurant became fully packed soon after 5. I've been to raku several times and the food was good as usual. I had the ebiten. The shrimp tempura was fried deliciously and the warm broth of the udon was a great meal on a cold winter day. I always enjoy the chewiness of the noodles at Raku and makes it special from other udon places in nyc. The waiters do an excellent job of refilling our waters. I will say we did feel a bit rushed as they asked to clear our dishes multiple times before we finished our food. The ambiance of the restaurant is quiet and clean. I will continue to come back for the delicious udon noodles. I recommend coming early if you have no reservation as the restaurant becomes busy fairly quickly. read more

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

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My friend made a resso for our party of four for a Tuesday at 6 PM. I was excited to check out this location since I really liked the udon over at their EV location. The restaurant is hidden in the back of a bakery so if you see a Japanese sleek/minimalist-looking cafe, you've come to the right place. To start, we shared some appetizers: -Kani (snow crab, spicy mayo, toasted seaweed) - too much dashi so you couldn't really taste the snowcrab flavor -Chicken tatsuta-age (marinated deep fried chicken) - this was good. You really can't go wrong with fried chicken -Ankimo (monkfish liver, scallion, ponzu sauce) - no one else wanted to partake, so I ate this on my own but I'm pretty sure it's just meant for one person because it's the size of a piece of sushi. I enjoyed this dish and for $10, I would say the price is pretty on par with an a la carte sushi piece at a higher end sushi restaurant For my main, I had the Niku udon (beef short-ribs, honeycomb tripe, tendon), which seems to be the one that everyone gets. It was good but was it worth $27? ABSOLUTELY not. The portion of noodles was so small. I was still hungry after dinner. Plus you have to add $1 to make it spicy, which is just them adding chili oil. Sure the udon was good but it was not as amazing as I remembered it, and certainly not worth the price tag. For dessert, we shared a matcha cheesecake (with cherry compote). The cheesecake was good but I didn't care for the cherry compote. It was a weird combination with the matcha. There were only three options for dessert, which I didn't understand since they were just grabbing it from the bakery in front. There's a 90 minute seating limit, which I can understand since the place isn't that huge and there was a constant flow of people waiting for a table. However, they started rushing us out before our 90 minute limit was even up. Because of this and how expensive it was, I don't think I'll be returning to this Raku, or probably any of its locations. read more

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Stopped by for lunch around 1pm and the restaurant was absolutely packed. It did start empty out around 1:30 so if you want to come here without a reservation on a weekday after 1PM is probably a good time to come. Service was good as the staff were very proactive at topping off our glasses of water and clearing empty dishes. Right now there's a wagyu sukiyaki special exclusive to the Midtown location, otherwise the rest of the menu is the same as other branches. They had wet napkins on the table yay! This was one part of dining in Japan that I have been missing. I went with the recommended niku udon and my friend got the duck udon. We shared the agedashi tofu and karaage dishes. The chicken was freshly fried and very crunchy while the meat was juicy and tender. The dipping sauce that this came with was quite spicy though, probably the spiciest spicy mayo I've ever had. Tofu was sort of a pallet cleanser and it had a very clean tasting dashi flavor. I also tried a bit of duck from my friend's duck udon and I can't say that I'm a fan of boiled duck meat. I prefer roasted duck for sure. There were many different cuts of beef in my udon and everything was super tender. A few pieces were a tiny bit tough but the pieces were small enough that I could just eat the whole thing in one bite really. Soup wasn't too salty, which is always appreciated. I really liked the noodles here as they have a nice chew to them and don't have that typical udon alkaline taste. Probably one of my favorite places for udon in New York City. Yes it's quite pricey but worth it but the amount of food that you get. read more

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big fan of the nabekyaki udon-- the broth is rich and more filling than first glance. The kaisen Don was also a very nice bowl to split-- left here quite full, but this would perfect to eat on a cold day outside! Need to try the midtown special next time! Cheers! read more

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

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Food is delicious and affordable. Great portions for the price. Service is quick and efficient. Small narrow space but not overly loud. read more

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Raku is my favorite udon of all time, so I was super excited to see a new location that doesn't require me to travel as far from the Upper West Side. There's no noticeable signage outside, but regulars will recognize the Japanese name on the handle of the nondescript, minimalist black door.I came for a workday lunch and got here just before noon with one party ahead of me. By the time I left around 1230, it was about 2/3 full. This location is different from the other two as it has large communal tables in the middle, as well as tables and booths around the sides. Since I was dining solo, I was seated at the communal table, and they removed the place setting across from me so it was like having my own space. I ordered my usual niku udon, and I'm happy to say the quality was just as good as the other locations (though it did feel like a slightly smaller portion - or maybe that's shrinkflation all around). The udon was perfectly chewy, the meat and tendon and tripe were so tender and flavorful, and the daikon was cooked perfectly and soaked up all the meaty flavor too. This seems like the smallest location of the three, located in the back of a pastry shop. If you arrive before opening, they graciously let you sit and wait before the Raku staff welcome you in. The bathroom here is also much nicer than at the other locations (esp soho)! Instead of having to go downstairs, there are two private bathrooms near the entrance. Raku is a must eat for me whenever I'm in New York, and I'm happy that they've maintained their quality as they expand their locations. Can't wait for my next trip! read more

Raku - Clean, private bathrooms - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Anytime I need to warm my soul, I like to come to Raku for some nice hot udon. The wait can get pretty long especially on the weekends, but I promise it's worth it. I would even claim it's better than all the udon I've tried in Japan (some say it's similar to Shin Udon in Tokyo, but I would say Raku's noodles surpass Shin's) Every dish is really delicious but my go to is the simple Kitsune (udon with fried tofu). The broth is light but salty and flavorful, contrasting the sweet tofu. But the star of the show is the noodles - perfectly cooked so they're extremely bouncy and fresh! I can't even describe how amazing the noodles are. Plus it's only ~$15! I usually do add tempura on the side or karaage as an appetizer- both are great. read more

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

Great service! I don't think my water glass was ever empty and I drink a lot of water! We stopped by early when they opened and dined in the communal table as a party of two prior to a show. The fish was fresh and the soup was filling and warm. We elected to have dessert and the basil apple desert really worked together with its flavors! read more

Raku - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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So happy that Raku opened a location in HK! This location is a lot more spacious, and because it's newer, is not as crowded with a queue. No reservations, but you can put your name down and get sat immediately or wait in the area. I've never had to wait more than 15 minutes. The restaurant is pretty unassuming because it's located in the back of Patisserie Fouet. Food is great and I think this location is mostly cold-udon centric. Favorite dishes: Sabazushi, chicken tatsuta-age, yamakake udon, sansai udon, curry udon. read more

Raku - Mackerel Sushi - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

No before pics so a little embarrassed to showcase our empty plates & bowls. Hands down the best udon I've ever eaten...this includes our travels to A must if you're needing a bite to eat pre or post show. You won't be disappointed, I promise that! read more

Had high expectations for raku but I personally don't think it is anything special. The appetizers were my favourite part and the udon was good but nothing to return for. Would skip the mango cheesecake because the mango flavour was not strong. Love the design and ambiance of the store and our waiter was also extremely welcoming with great suggestions! read more

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5 5 5 all around. Beautiful interior, easy reservation process, amazing food. The udon noodle texture was so unique; chewy and yet soft. Amazing flavors in the broth and the meat. I got the Niku Udon! The prices are not bad for New York too. Great for a slightly elevated yet able to be casual dinner. Very good udon. I want to go back and try the other items too! read more

Raku - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

There was a line of people waiting for it to open- you know it's good when you see that. The Wagyu sushi came in 3 pieces and it was absolutely delicious. The Chicken tatsuta can be in 6 or 10 pieces- we ordered 6 pieces and they are decent sized, well fried, and still moist inside. The kaisen don is a good lunch size meal with a variety of sashimi pieces. The shrimp tempura and vegetable tempura were deliciously fried and hit the spot. The matcha latte had a dark, vibrant green color and was strong. read more

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Great Japanese place in Hell's Kitchen. Everything we had was high quality and exactly how it should taste. We had the trio salad with spinach, hijiki seaweed, and burdock which were all solid Fried chicken which was super juicy and crunchy. The sauce has a hit of spice The shrimp tempura was good but I would have liked it to be crunchier. The broth and udon was superb. My friends got the ribeye udon and it was slightly reminiscent of pho. read more

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I had heard great things about this udon restaurant and I was very excited to try- can confirm, it did not disappoint! My friend got a reservation for 4 for 5pm dinner- I think we got lucky, because we saw the restaurant quickly fill up. Interior is very cute- at the entrance, there is a dessert bar where you can pick up desserts (seriously, take a look- everything is a work of art!) For starters, we got the sabazushi (grilled mackerel pressed sushi) and chawanmushi (steamed egg with seafood fillings/toppings) to share. The chawanmushi takes a little time (as it takes some time to steam), just fyi- but it is so so so worth it. The rich dashi flavor of the egg mixed with the seafood was fantastic! Sabazushi was good but I would skip next time.... and get another chawanmushi heh. For my main, I got the Sansai udon (udon in hot broth, topped with mountain vegetables and a maitake tempura). The broth was so flavorful and packed a punch, but still was nice and light- perfect for the winter. The udon was very light and springy and had a great chew to it, they really cooked it perfectly. My fellow diners got the toriten udon (udon in hot broth served with chicken tempura on the side), the classic Kitsune udon (udon in hot broth with the fried tofu skin) and wakame udon (udon in hot broth with seaweed)- we all loved the udon and happily slurped away. For dessert, we shared the soba pudding and the matcha cheesecake. The soba pudding was light and creamy, and the soba flavor was perfect and not overbearing at all. Comes with a little soba cookie too. Matcha cheesecake was good- it is served with a cherry compote, so the tartness complimented the heaviness and light bitterness of the cheesecake nicely. I'd like to come back in the summer and try the cold udon! read more

Raku - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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I tried the original South Village location many years ago and loved it, so I was excited to see Raku opened their new location in Hell's Kitchen. It is just as great as their original location. The service was friendly and the ambience was wonderful. Tried the salad with spicy crab and agedashi tofu for appetizers and udon with Shrimp Tempura for my main dish. Everything was fresh and tasty. The salad was light and the crab salad gave it a good kick. The agedashi tofu was delicious and bigger than expected. The best dish was the udon. The shrimp tempura came on the side with a couple of veggies. The broth was light and perfectly seasoned. The udon was nice and chewy! Others ordered the crab udon, tofu udon, curry udon and loved it too. Great meal for a cold winter evening. Raku never disappoints! read more

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The kani ankake (snow crab in thick egg soup) was super flavorful. I liked that the soup was actually thick instead of watery. The nabeyaki (chicken, shrimp tempura, sea eel, fish cake, shiitake mushroom, sansai, egg) was also good, especially the chicken - very tender, but some ingredients listed on the menu were no where to be found... The chicken tatsutaage was sooo juicy, better than the usual chicken karaage. Note that it's communal table dining. read more

Raku - kani ankake - very good - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

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Very busy place but they get you seated as fast as they can and work to serve you fast. The decor is sort of like a noodle bar in Japan for a good half of the space and the other half is more sit down dining. The udon noodles were some of bounciest I've ever had and had the perfect chew to them. The toppings to the udon noodle soup however wasn't anything too special and they were sparse I would say. read more

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