Udon Lab is a modern udon restaurant in Koreatown that focuses on freshly made noodles, creative udon dishes, and a more elevated take on traditional Japanese comfort food. We walked into a space that feels cozy and contemporary, with clean lines and a warm, inviting energy that makes it a nice spot whether you are looking for a quick meal or a more relaxed dinner. The interior is thoughtfully designed, with seating that accommodates both solo diners and small groups, and the open kitchen adds a layer of transparency that fits the focus on freshly made noodles. The mentaiko cream udon was the highlight. The sauce was rich and creamy with a savory seafood flavor from the mentaiko, but it did not feel too heavy. The udon noodles had a great chewy texture that held up well with the sauce, and the combination made the dish feel more unique than a typical noodle bowl. It was a good example of how Udon Lab mixes Japanese flavors with a more modern style. Beyond the mentaiko cream udon, the menu has a good variety of options depending on what you are craving. The niku udon offers a more classic comforting bowl, while dishes like the katsu curry udon bring something heartier, with the crispy cutlet adding a satisfying contrast to the rich curry broth. The restaurant also has sides like takoyaki and other small plates that work well for sharing, and the selection of appetizers adds variety to the meal. The service was friendly and the food came out at a good pace, with the staff checking in at the right moments and keeping the pacing of the meal comfortable. The restaurant can get busy, especially around peak dinner hours, so seating may depend on timing, but the turnover moves efficiently and the atmosphere stays relaxed even when the dining room fills up. The energy feels casual but still polished, which makes it a good option for both a quick meal and a longer catch-up with friends. Udon Lab is a solid spot for udon in Manhattan. The freshly made noodles, creative menu, and comfortable atmosphere make it stand out from a typical noodle shop, offering a meal that feels both thoughtful and satisfying. The balance of traditional comfort and modern creativity gives the restaurant a distinct identity, and the quality of the noodles and the depth of the flavors make it a dependable stop for a satisfying udon experience. read more

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udon lab in ktown usually has a very long line, and this was my first time trying it around lunchtime after the knicks parade. there was no wait for a party of two when i arrived. i noticed they have lunch specials for $18, which include an appetizer and an entrée, and that's what i went with today. i will say the menu is a bit harder for people with dietary restrictions, since most of the broths contain fish except for the 1 vegetable option. otherwise, the meal was pretty good. i felt like it leaned a bit more mild, and it reminded me of a chicken noodle soup. everything tasted fresh and was nicely presented. i really appreciated that every seat had outlets nearby. overall i enjoyed my time. read more

Udon Lab - special - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

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The udon was average. With the price given I expect more. Portion of the noodle is fine but there was so little beef. The soup niku udon was average. The niku tsuke was disappointing, it's not rich enough and not hot enough. A few dip of the noodles made the soup cold already. And you can only taste the chili oil in the noodle instead of the dipping soup. I guess the best dish of the meal was the brussel sprouts. Another nice part was that you can watch them making the udon fresh. It was fun to watch. But the texture of the udon is no different from the frozen udon you can buy in supermarket. I thought it would be more chewy but no. read more

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This was our second visit to Udon Lab. We really enjoyed their gyu-don during our last visit, so we decided to come back again today. We arrived a little too early without realizing it, but one gentleman--possibly the owner or manager--was kind enough to let us sit inside and wait until they officially opened. That small gesture was really appreciated and made us feel very welcome. This time, I tried their cold Himokawa udon. It's different from the usual udon noodles we normally eat--the noodles are extra wide and flat, which gives them a really nice texture. Since it's served cold, it came with a cold dashi broth and a cold sesame ground pork dipping sauce. I like spicy food, so I asked if they had something spicy, and they brought me some chili oil, which paired really well with the noodles. The set also came with a hand roll. Personally, I felt it was a bit too much carb after eating a full plate of udon, and I think tempura might be a better pairing. That said, I really liked the noodles themselves and would definitely order this dish again. read more

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Iit had been a few years since my last visit, but decided to stop by when I was in the city last month. I'm happy to report that Udon Lab is still one of my go-to spots in NYC. Right away I noticed the menu has expanded with a lot of new items, and honestly, the more options the better. Even though it was freezing outside (lol), I was craving cold noodles, so I went with the Hiyashi Udon and made it a set. The noodles come separately from the soup and toppings, which I love, and I added shrimp tempura. The set also comes with a cabbage salad and your choice of a crab or spicy yellowtail hand roll. I followed our server's recommendation and went with the spicy yellowtail, WOW. So on point and exactly what I was in the mood for. Everything paired perfectly with a cold Asahi. The place is a little small so rsvp's are always encouraged, however, they do take walk ins. Service was great as always! Safe to say, I'll definitely be keeping Udon Lab in my regular rotation. Still just as good as I remembered! read more

Udon Lab - Hiyashi Udon set - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

We really enjoyed our meal at Udon Lab. We started with the sautéed Brussels sprouts and the takoyaki (octopus fritters), and both were so good--great flavor and cooked perfectly. I ordered the pork Niku, which was comforting and delicious. The service was friendly and welcoming, and the location was super convenient since we were staying right next door during our visit. Overall, a great spot and definitely one I'd recommend if you're in the area! read more

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Good go-to spot in K-Town! Went for a late weekend lunch (around 3pm). Every other spot in K-Town was packed, and was happy to see that Udon Lab had some available tables. Got the Niku udon with beef. Love that it comes with the poached egg! For any udon, you can also make it a set for an additional $6 - it will also include a cabbage salad and handroll. I got the set with crab handroll. Overall worth it to get the set. Make sure you're hungry! Otherwise, the udon should be substantial enough. read more

Udon Lab - Niku udon with beef, set with crab handroll - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

My first time here was great, the food was pretty good. I ordered the cold udon set with the handroll. The service felt rushed even though it was not busy. I came back a handful of times on separate occasions and the food was not as good as the first time, especially for the price that you are paying. Lately, service has improved but the udon noodles have been very chewy the last two times I went and the takoyaki was wet and mushy with little filling. I've never really had to wait for a table, the interior is nice with good ambiance. If you are very desperate for udon and happen to be in the area, it is an option. read more

Udon Lab - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

I love how the udon tastes here and the broth is super flavorful and satisfying. We were able to get seating quickly in ktown and on a weekend. I tried my friend's simple udon and the broth was so tasty. I ended up with the Korean spicy udon and it was a massive bowl so I left with leftovers. Service is attentive, we were given a huge water jug which is so nice because the cups of water are so tiny. I'd definitely come back in the area for udon. read more

Udon Lab - Korean Spicy Udon - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

Came here for a quick dinner with my son on one of those early fall evenings when the cold hits suddenly and a hot noodle dish just feels right. We arrived early enough to get seated right away, but soon after, little "reserved" tents started popping up on the tables. We ordered the Mentaiko Udon for him, the Kimchi Bacon Udon for me, and Karaage to share. A few negatives to get out of the way first: the timing was off. My kimchi udon came out well before the karaage, which was also served long before the mentaiko. The same thing happened at the table next to us--kimchi came first by a long shot. That said, the food itself was excellent. The karaage was lightly fried and juicy, paired with a citrusy mayo that kept it bright and not heavy. You could tell it was freshly made. The kimchi udon had a creamy, hearty sauce with big slices of mushrooms, just-funky-enough kimchi, and chunks of bacon. The spice built gradually rather than hitting all at once, which I liked. The udon noodles weren't your typical pale white, squared-edge type--they were broader, flatter, and had a really satisfying chew. The mentaiko udon was also creamy, but with a savory kick from the fish roe that came through clearly. We finished with the matcha tiramisu, which was a great call--the sweet, creamy layers were offset by bold matcha powder that mimicked the cocoa dusting of traditional tiramisu but added a deep, earthy flavor. Service was fine overall (aside from the pacing issue), and the ambiance struck that perfect balance between casual and date-night friendly. A cozy, satisfying spot for those first chilly nights of fall--comforting food with thoughtful flavors. read more

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Maybe it is just the specific udon I got but I thought it was just OK and not super amazing or something to get again. (I got the mentaiko udon). I've had better mentaiko udon so I'm definitely comparing to past experiences with this style of udon so I would recommend to try another dish rather than this one. The interior is quite nice; warm lighting and feels cozy. Staff were attentive and service was quick. read more

Udon Lab - Mentaiko Cream Udon - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

Udon is nice and chewy. They have a decent variety. Got the katsu curry udon and friend of the kimchi bacon. This place seemed kinda packed but we had a reservation. Not sure I would make another resy, but a nice place to grab warm udon if you're in the area and craving noodles read more

Udon Lab - Kimchi Bacon Cream Udon - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

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Very Cute Spot. Make a reservation as this will have a line all the time and there's not a lot of tables available. Staff was very friendly and attentive. the appetizer was fresh and delicious, the udon was tasty, however I added some chili oil to spice it up. Desert was also unique and delicious. Prices were commensurate with location and quality. read more

Udon Lab - Vegetarian Udon - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

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We came here for a late lunch and we were seated right away. The place is narrow but has a good amount of seating available. The overall look is nice but the atmosphere feels very much like a casual eating spot. I ordered the vegetarian Udon, my nephew got the Niku udon. The food came out pretty quickly. I tasted the Niku udon first and liked the flavourful sweet broth. My vegetarian udon in comparison, seemed pretty mild in taste, but it was still pretty good. I wish they had added more mushrooms and bean curd to make it tastier. The service was just ok. We wanted to try out the dessert and the server just brought over the check without asking if we wanted anything else. The food and service were just ok, nothing really special, prices are what you can expect for the area. read more

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Nie staff, but food was crazy mid, bordering on bad. My "HOT" dish came out luke warm with fridge cold noodles and fridge cold egg that made the entire meal cold. Just keep it a cold dish (they do have a cold version, I got the hot... it wasn't hot). Overall I found myself wanting to forget the food and focus on the time with my friends. Staff were friendly, the space has a nice cozy vibe, but the food is meh both times I went. The crab is a mix of imitation and real, but don't worry the ratio of rice to fish is so bad you wouldn't get enough to know anyway. The tempura shrimp was fine. Overall probably will avoid going back if I can. read more

We arrived at 11:15pm for a late dinner and they gladly seated us even though they close at midnight. To start off, we each had a cocktail: Mystic Green ($16) and Yuzu-like ($16). The mystic green was basically a midori sour while the yuzu was light and refreshing. With so many types of udon to choose from, I opted for the Mentaiko Cream Udon ($20) while my friend had the Beef Curry Udon ($20). The bowls of udon were flavorful and heartwarming to my stomach. Even when I finished the udon, I was still spooning the sauce leftover too. Great spot with a variety of udon that's perfect for a noodles type of day. It's a tad pricey, but that's Manhattan for you. read more

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After dance class, my friend needed some food and when I read the word "izakaya" in the subtitle, I knew this place would work for me. The second I walked in I saw a lone customer eating a DELICIOUS-looking plate of curry. We were sat down next to said customer and I simply had to apologetically interrupt his meal and ask him what dish he had because it looked and smelled so enticing. He confirmed it was the Beef Curry Rice and I was immediately sold. The base dish is simply rice with a curry sauce MIXED with beef, but you have the option of also topping it with pork or chicken katsu. My stomach definitely wasn't ready for double-portions tonight, so I stuck with the base curry and was not disappointed. Portions are LARGE and satisfying and this dish was every bit as comforting and delicious as I anticipated it to be. ALSO, fun, fruity drinks for the win (a reason I love drinking in Koreatown). Staff was also SUPER friendly; they give you a good chunk of time in the beginning to peruse the menu and get your orders straight. I would definitely come back for this curry! read more

Udon Lab - Goodness it's like a crisp work of ART - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

I got the Niku tsuke ramen, which was pretty sizable. I like the chewiness of the noodles, and the broth was also quite refreshing. While it's not the best udon place I've been to in the city, it's good for the price and there's a decent amount of seating in the restaurant. read more

Udon Lab - Niku Tsuke Udon - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

We stopped by Udon Lab and left pretty happy--and pretty full. Started with typical appetizers of Pork Gyoza, Edamame, and Karaage which were good but not exceptional and underwhelming. For the main meal there was a lot to choose from but we went with the Niku Udon and the Beef Curry Udon, and both bowls delivered on flavor. The noodles had that satisfying chew you hope for with udon, and the broths were rich and comforting. Solid, dependable bowls of noodles. Drinks were another highlight--nothing too fancy, but well done. The Beam Highball was crisp and clean, and we also tried their Lychee and Grapefruit Soju Packs, which felt like a grown-up Capri Sun in the best way possible. Service was friendly and on point and the vibe inside is casual and fun, with cool japanese art on the walls that gives the place personality without trying too hard. Price-wise, it's in line with what you'd expect for Manhattan so a bit high. You're not getting a bargain, but you're not getting robbed either. All in all, Udon Lab is a great spot for a cozy, flavorful meal and some playful drinks. While I've had more memorable udon elsewhere, this was still a good meeting spot to catchup with some old friends. read more

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Love my mentaiko cream udon, it's so rich and flavorful. The noodles are the perfect level of chewy; the noodles are made in house and you can taste the difference! My friend also really enjoyed her udon set. We got lucky and were immediately seated but when we were leaving there was a short line so keep that in mind when you plan your meal. Would come back! read more

Udon Lab - mental - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

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It's crazy the amount of times I've walked past this restaurant and never really thought of stopping in the try them out, until this past winter. Now I've seen what I have been missing out on all these years and have returned a few more times. I ordered the Winter Warmer ($15), which is essentially flavored hot Sake (Junmai) with lemon maple syrup and cinnamon. It's pretty tasty and a great alcoholic drink for the winter. My fiancee didn't want to drink alcohol so she ordered the Rozu Chamomile ($9), which is a pretty refreshing, non-caffeinated, and tasty drink made with chamomile, rose, and lychee. We started off with the 3 Hand Roll Combo ($21) which comes with Negi Toro, Truffle Salmon, and Garlic Scallop. These were surprisingly really good and would get these again. The Sashimi Platter ($27) on the other hand was not really worth it. For entrees, we shared two things. The Hot Himokawa ($27), which is their flat wide noodles. It comes with a small hot soup that you dip your noodles in. This also includes one shrimp tempura and a choice of a spicy yellowtail or crab hand-roll. A pretty good deal if you ask me and it's filling. The noodles are made to order and you can even see them making the noodles in the noodle station in back of the restaurant. Always a fan of freshly made noodles and you can taste it in this dish. The other entree we order was the Niku Gobo ($22) Gobo is a burdock root, which supposedly helps with inflammation, skin disorders and blood sugar stabilization. This particular dish is served with beef niko udon, with a poached egg, nori, and scallions. The Gobo appears deep fried, which is placed on top of the dish and it's pretty greasy when you attempt to rip it apart to consume, which tasted good. The noodle dish itself was super flavorful and rich where I ended up taking the flat noodles from the Hot Himokawa and started dunking it here. A full meal isn't with dessert. We got the Panna Cotta ($9) which is their house-made milk pudding with melted brown sugar. Nice and sweet and delicious. read more

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The udon was excellent. Korean spicy udon with noodles that are hand pulled, freshly made in the kitchen, I definitely recommend this place. read more

This place was recommended by a friend. I was the first to enter when they first opened at 11am! It was nice though I prefer my niki udon to have more flavor! Gyoza was good and was on a high price end. I would stop by again if I'm in the area. read more

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Came here late on a Saturday and glad they opened late. Had the curry broth meat noodle bowl which was savory and hit the spot nicely. Curry wasn't overpowering and the noodles were cooked well. The appetizer dumplings were crispy and meaty as well, good customer service and a popular place it seems. read more

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My friend has wanted to try Udon Lab for a while so we went together! I ordered the plain udon with shrimp tempura as a topping! The broth had a great depth of flavor and the noodles were pleasantly thick and chewy. The shrimp was crunchy and delicious and came with a dipping sauce as well. Overall I enjoyed my udon but found it to be a bit pricey! My friend got the Korean spicy udon and really liked hers as well. Portions were really huge so we both left with a second meal, which is a great plus. read more

Udon Lab - Plain Udon with Tempura Shrimp - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

Udon Lab was delicious! They had quick service. I got the kimchi bacon and it was amazing-very creamy read more

Udon Lab - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

Udon lab is a good place in Ktown if you're craving a warm noodle soup bowl. It's a solid place with good options, but in the city it's also easy to get good quality bowls of udon. With that being said, compared to other udon places I've visited, this was about average to me, but still good especially when you're craving something warm and comforting. Service was quick- I was able to make a movie with a little over an hour allowance for dinner. read more

Udon Lab - Beef Niku Udon - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

GOOD! It's my first time trying udon in nyc and I would say it's pretty good! The noodles were the perfect texture, being a bit chewy and tasted very fresh. We ended up getting the hiyashi (cold udon with cold booth), dipping udon and vegetable udon. All there good, the vegetable udon was a bit on the sweeter side while the rest are more savory. It's a good place for a quick bite and when it's late. Rating: hiyashi udon - 4/5 dipping udon - 4/5 vegetable udon - 3/5 read more

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The udon noodles are handmade, and the portion sizes are good. The Niku udon was flavorful and had a good amount of toppings. The staff was nice. The interior is cute, and they have good decor. Everything was good, but just a bit average in my opinion for nyc. Overall, nothing really stood out to me as bad or good. read more

Udon Lab - Niku udon and Katsu curry udon - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

A great, cozy spot for udon in K-town! The inside of the restaurant is intimate, with the tables pretty close together. Service here is pretty fast and friendly. Their menu offers a variety of both hot and cold udons, and other Japanese appetizers. I got a dipping udon, beef udon, and takoyaki. The portions were huge here and the udon noodles were thick and juicy. The takoyaki toppings were a bit underwhelming, but they did have huge bites of octopus in them! Overall, a pretty good spot for some Japanese udon! read more

Udon Lab - Dipping udon - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

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Udon here is great! Came here on a Saturday night and was seated right away. Food was tasty and everything was fresh, prices were about what you'd expect in the area. Located right at the beginning of the k-town block! read more

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Great food. Service was okay...very slow (especially so close to time square). Not sure I'd go back. read more

Udon Lab - Great food. The service was okay. - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

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Oh no, I really wanted to like this place, especially since coming to the Ktown area is both a bit of a trip and a treat. Sadly, the service here was pretty terrible. I was happy to sit by the bar counter, but it's kind of sad there. My server next came to check up on me after I ordered my food. I waited 20-30 minutes alone trying to pay for my food and to get out. I flagged people down to ask for my server and when I asked for my check, he forgot it and kept me waiting. It was unbelievable, like take my money and let me leave! I still tipped 18% because I'm a sappy sucker and my folks raised me to be a decent human being, but come on Udon Lab. It needs improvement. read more

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Hiyashi udon $20- basically naengmyeon, pretty good, so refreshing on such a hot day, shrimp tempura was pretty crispy read more

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Came here during a weekday for dinner and it was easy to grab a spot for four without reservations. The menu is expansive and has different varieties of udon and even sushi. I got the mentaiko udon, and the portion was pretty big. read more

Udon Lab - Mentaiko Cream Udon - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

This place has a lot of varieties but the udons were really meh... I ordered the hot Himokawa Udon set that comes with flat wide noodles, a small hot plain soup, a shrimp tempera, and a choice of hand roll (I got crab). The crab hand roll and tempera were decent. But the flat noodle was very bland and kind of on the hard side even if I tried to dip them in the soup to eat. The noodles on their own just simply don't have much flavor. read more

Udon Lab - Hot himokawa udon - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

Waiters were extremely nice and sophisticated and the interior decor was very elegant and classy. However because of this it seems they feel justified to make the food extremely overpriced. The food here is basically Asian pub food but every dish runs 22-28 dollars and sides are an additional 8 dollars. I ordered the Niku udon with simmered beef for 22 dollars and 2 measly tempura shrimp on the side for 8 dollars. With tax and tip my total was 40 dollars for this meal which is crazy. Food was ok, I enjoyed my meal but the taste and quality was about on par with your neighborhood takeout sushi place except twice as expensive. At least there was a good amount of beef. read more

Udon Lab - Niku Udon - Noodles Near Me - New York, New York

My friend and I stumbled across this restaurant on a Saturday night when we were wandering around trying to find a place for a late-ish dinner. Everything was delicious! We started with the Brussel Sprouts, which were incredibly flavourful. My friend had the Pork Katsu and said it was hearty and tender. I had the Hiyashi Udon set, which came with a handroll (spicy yellowtail) and a cabbage salad. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy a cold udon, but it worked thanks to the broth combined with scallions, tempura flakes and lemon to bring out all the flavours. The panna cotta made for a light, sweet finish. read more

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Great service and the food was great! Had a few amazing cocktails as well. We will definitely be back read more

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Great highball tonics! Good selection of noodles, rice dishes, appetizers make this a great choice near Penn Station