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

Raku is a Japanese udon restaurant in the East Village that focuses on handmade udon noodles and…read morecarefully prepared dishes built around simple, comforting flavors. We walked into a cozy, intimate space that felt more like a traditional Japanese noodle shop than a large restaurant, with a warm, understated energy that kept the attention on the food. The dining room was modest and inviting, with a layout that accommodated a steady flow of customers, and the focus was clearly on the quality of the noodles and the care that went into each bowl. The udon was the highlight of the meal. The noodles had a thick, chewy texture that showed the difference between freshly made udon and typical packaged noodles, and the broth was flavorful without feeling too heavy, with a savory depth that paired well with the noodles. We ordered a few different bowls and found the shrimp tempura udon standing out, with the tender shrimp, crispy tempura coating, and rich broth coming together in a way that felt complete. The restaurant also offers different styles of udon, including hot and cold options, which gave us good variety depending on what we were looking for. Beyond the udon, Raku has a selection of additional dishes that complement the meal. The menu keeps the focus on Japanese comfort food, and the smaller dishes made it easy to add something extra without taking away from the main bowl. We appreciated that the restaurant does not overcomplicate the food and instead focuses on getting the fundamentals right. The dining experience is more relaxed and intimate, though the space is limited and can get busy during peak hours. Reservations are helpful, especially during popular dining times, and seating can feel a little tight because of the smaller layout. Despite the size, the atmosphere works well for enjoying a slower meal centered around a warm bowl of udon. The staff moved through the room with a quiet efficiency, and the pacing of the meal kept the experience smooth and unhurried. Overall, Raku is a great spot for anyone looking for high-quality udon in NYC. The handmade noodles, flavorful broths, and simple approach to Japanese comfort food make it stand out. It is the type of restaurant we would return to when craving a satisfying bowl of noodles rather than a more casual ramen-style meal.

Everything we had here was spectacular. My favorite dishes were the Mazemen noodles, corn ribs, and…read moretuna uni rice. I am already wanting to go back. The cucumber salad was also very good and flavorful. karaage was just okay and can be skipped. The corn dessert was really cool and the ube tiramisu really had the yam flavor. Boz was our server and he was amazing! Super friendly and did such an amazing job guiding us through the menu. Very funny guy too. He really added good energy to our night. Overall would recommend this place. Lots of wow moments with the dishes. So many other things to try!! 10/10 would recommend

First of all, this place is pretty. Very zen Japanese hidden vibes…read more The menu isn't super extensive. But they had some good things. Opted for the lunch set which came with the salad and curry. The ebi had big prawns. Crispy good The katsu was as well. Was it the best katsu I've had? Not really, but it was good. The corn dessert was very cute. I loved the fresh pops of corn inside. The outside was a thickish layer of white chocolate. Service was good. Overall, a nice place to chat with a friend. Very zen

10,000 years of evolution and we've finally reached peak udon noodle form. The height of human…read morecraft. Literally the silkiest, smoothest, chewy yet soft noodles I have ever eaten. Niku and gyunan were divine. In the niku, they somehow managed to make the tripe and beef tendon immensely flavorful and tender without being heavy-handed. The fatty beef in the gyunan was crack with the sesame chili oil. The bonito base soup was somehow savory and full-bodied while also being sweet and light, so even though I was about to burst it didn't feel icky. Nothing to note in appetizer land besides the fact that I finally tried monkfish liver and it literally tasted like a salmon-flavored paté. Both surprised and relieved it tasted so normal. Despite the long wait time, it still felt relatively spacious inside, and even with just two people, we got our own booth!

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.

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

Sozai is one of our favorite Japanese restaurants in Manhattan. The food is always fresh,…read moreflavorful, and beautifully prepared, and the drinks are just as good. The service is fast and friendly, making it a great spot for lunch or dinner. It does get a bit loud during peak hours, but that's because it's such a popular place. If you're looking for delicious Japanese food in Manhattan, Sozai is definitely worth a visit!

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

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.