This location in particular is very small…read more Niku udon - super chewy and flavorful noodles! Broth had a lot of flavor this time too! Meat had one good piece but rest was too dry and/or too fatty 4.5/5 Shrimp tempura - a bit oily but still good! Shrimp is soft and bouncy but wish it was bigger in comparison to the tempura 2.75/5

I was skeptical of this place because I didn't think the price of udon would be worth it. I was…read morewrong. The actual udon noodles themselves are incredible. They're soft but not mushy, and have a nice spring to them. They are genuinely the best udon noodles I've had. Udon and mushroom are two of my favorite things, so it was a no brainer when ordering the seasonal mushroom udon. It comes with all types of mushrooms including maitake, woodear, king oyster, local oyster, and shiitake. It also comes with tororo kombu and tofu. The both is light and flavorful, perfect for a cold night. I wish they would keep this dish permanently because I want to order it again and again. I also liked the frozen grape at the end, it was a nice ending to a good meal. The servers were helpful and the space was on the smaller side. It has minimal decor with wood furniture. The place is tightly packed and busy so just make sure to have a resy booked. Overall, I would highly recommend trying Raku.

konban is a modern Japanese restaurant that focuses on creative takes on classic comfort dishes,…read moreespecially katsu, noodles, and small plates. We walked into a stylish, energetic space with a menu designed around sharing, making it a good option for a casual dinner or group meal. The interior has a contemporary, lively feel with an open kitchen that adds energy to the room, and the seating is arranged to accommodate both small groups and larger parties comfortably. Instead of sticking strictly to traditional Japanese dishes, the menu mixes familiar flavors with more modern presentations, creating a dining experience that feels both approachable and exploratory. The standout item is the katsu, which is where the restaurant really shines. We ordered the pork loin and tenderloin versions and found the breading crisp while the meat stayed tender and juicy, the crust holding up well without becoming greasy. The mazemen is another highlight, with chewy noodles and a rich sauce that brought a lot of flavor without feeling too heavy, the sauce coating each strand evenly and the toppings adding layers of texture and depth. Beyond those, dishes like the butter scallops, corn ribs, and seafood options added variety and made it worth ordering multiple plates to share. The scallops were well seared with a buttery finish, and the corn ribs offered a smoky, slightly charred flavor that paired well with the richer dishes. The desserts are also a memorable part of the meal. The corn ice cream is one of the more unique items, with a sweet and savory flavor that sounds unusual but works surprisingly well, the sweetness of the corn balanced by a subtle savory note that kept it from feeling cloying. It fits the restaurant's overall approach of taking familiar ingredients and presenting them in a more unexpected way, and the creativity of the dessert menu feels consistent with the rest of the meal. Service and atmosphere add to the experience, with attentive staff and a lively dining room that feels suited for groups. The team checked in at the right moments and kept the pacing of the meal comfortable, and the open kitchen added a layer of engagement as we watched the dishes come together. Reservations can be difficult to get, especially during busy times, and the small plate format means the best experience comes from ordering several dishes rather than focusing on one entree. The variety across the menu encourages sharing, and the pacing of the meal works well for a longer, more social dinner. konban delivers a well-executed modern Japanese dining experience. While some of the more hyped dishes may not completely live up to expectations, the katsu, noodles, and seafood dishes make it a worthwhile visit. The combination of creativity, quality ingredients, and a lively atmosphere makes it a destination for exploring different flavors and dishes together rather than just ordering one signature item, offering a meal that feels both engaging and satisfying.

For a friend's birthday dinner, we went to konban, which she apparently has been visiting every…read moreyear for her birthday the past three years. The interior is minimalistic with a japanese feel through the zen garden. For drinks my friend and I had the sayonara which I enjoyed, but she thought was too strong. We ordered family style, sharing the corn ribs, zucchini, butter scallops, ebi tempura, pork katsu, mazemen, ube tiramisu , and corn ice cream amongst four people. The ube tiramisu was free since we wrote a google review for the restaurant. Everything was delicious and the zucchini was surprisingly good as well. The pork was so tender. the ebi tempura were huge, and the mazemen was thankfully not spicy. However, the scallops could've been more tender and we we were all unimpressed with the ube tiramisu. Overall, I would come back and would definitely recommend konban! Get the corn ribs, zucchini, pork katsu, and corn ice cream! My friend did notice that some menu items changed from her previous visit (instead of the zucchini they had the eggplant in the past)

lovely spot for ramen, very authentic and cozy vibe! i put my name down for dinner around 7 and i…read moreonly waited about 15 minutes to be sat for a table of 2. service was kind and attentive, and the food came fast. i ordered the seasonal mushroom udon and it was full of umami flavors and had so many wonderful components. i particularly enjoyed the addition of the dried fried tofu, which was able to soak up all the delicious savory broth. the servings are quite large and the udon was perfectly chewy and succulent.

I don't visit NYC too often but when I do, Raku is the #1 spot I always make sure to come back due…read moreto its delicious udon and its soup quality that is not commonly seen in most Japanese restaurants I have been. I have been to famous spots in Japan within Kyoto and Tokyo and Raku definitely is on the top of the list in terms of service, food quality, and vibes. I have ordered to-go, DoorDash and dined in and its never been a disappointment.

Had a great time celebrating a coworkers birthday here at Kimura. Was a large group so got to get a…read moreton of things to try. First thing we got may have been my fav, conveniently called Addictive Cabbage it really was addictive like wow I just couldnt stop it was so good. I also looooved the meatballs the marinade was super flavorful. Other appetizer options were pretty tasty as well, the takoyaki was soft and sweet, gyoza were large, and chicken skewers were delish. Split a shabu shabu hot pot which was pretty good, all the meat and toppings were nice but I wasnt really tasting much of the broth! Loved the sauces that came with it. Also don't sleep on the yuzu hot sauce thats on the tables that stuff was fire.

Hotpot is what they're known for! I really enjoyed the collagen nabe…read more Tried their kiss of fire roll. It was nothing extraordinary. Also, tried their skewer combo (scallop, salmon and chicken/scallion). These were ok too. I would come back for the hotpot for sure

Delicious. Great service. Pretty setting. Fairly reasonable pricing. As a vegetarian,…read moreIt's also nice that there are really plenty of options. I look forward to going again!

Dunno if it was the hangover but Raku's deceptively simple bowl of noodles was one of the more…read morememorable meals I had in New York. Flavorful broth, fresh ingredients, and the perfect udon noodle texture, This was probably the closest bowl of noodles to the ones I've had in Tokyo. Due to the summer heat/humidity I ordered the sansai bukkake (cold udon) and even with its lack of meat the vegetables, mushrooms, and broth was the perfect meal for the weather. Definitely would recommend a reservation if you can or enjoy walking around the neighborhood

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

Stumbled upon this modern Izakaya spot looking for dinner. I was seated at the bar as I ate alone…read more The space is dimly lit, with wooden interior and furniture, and concrete tabletops. I chose to get their Pork Katsu Curry Rice ($27), which overall tasted great. The Pork Katsu is a decent size and thick in the middle, which I would expect since this was very pricey for an unsophisticated dish. Curry was flavorful and pleasant to each with the pork and rice. Service overall was pretty standard. Could work on being a bit more attentive rather than chatting with one another or scrolling on a phone or smart watch.

The skewers were extremely juicy and delicious. My favorites were the galbi (beef short rib) and…read morechicken thigh. The Japanese sausage and chicken skin were also good. The eel rice bowl was also very good. Walked in on a Friday (holiday) at 5 PM with no wait, despite no slots available on Resy at the time.

Still the best in New York. Unique, flavorful chicken skin skewers among many things (see my…read morephotos), though somehow grilled chicken soft bone is a bit tasteless? Fast service. You can order a little and keep adding depending on how big or small each dish is. We came right at 5 pm when they opened. We didn't have a reservation, and after some fumbling they got us four seats at the bar (looking over grilling chefs at work). Not bad, though we were hoping for a table. Great decor and ambiance as always. Wish the grilled shrimps come with shell on, and with salt only (no sauce).

I want to start this off with how I loved how laid back this spot is. It only seats about 15…read morepeople. Music was on very low. Was able to speak to my wife softly (love a restaurant that's quiet!) The server & cook were great. The waiter was kind and check on us in a timely manner. The food was amazing. Bigger portions would have been great, but I know that's not the kind of place this is.. so no complaints! Highly recommend this place for a date. We might have to come back again soon. Two thumbs all the way up!

Came here a long time ago bc I heard how good their sushi sets are. If you are a sushi lover and…read morewant something homey you will definitely like Okonomi. It's nonfussy, and although not the cheapest sushi, it's definitely not super expensive/omakase level. It's a small space with a giant bar for seating and maybe a few tables - the owners are definitely passionate about Japanese cuisine and you can definitely feel that as you chat with them a bit. The menu is small, but dedicated to quality, and you will make your choice quite quickly. All the fish was fresh, large pieces, and really really clean tasting. The soup was delightful and paired wonderfully and everything was presented quite nicely. The grilled fish was also tasty and really tender.