The 20 Best Japanese Restaurants in NYC - New York - The Infatuation

"For udon, there’s Raku. Everyone at the Soho spot has a bowl of it in front of them, topped with things like shrimp tempura, wagyu, and oysters, and each bowl—really more like a cauldron in size—releases steam into the light wood dining room as if this were a noodle spa. Grab a seat at the bar for lunch, or sit in the big window in the front for dinner. The udon has a flavorful, fish-based broth and silky yet chewy noodles—and the frozen grapes you receive with your check are a massive highlight. Raku also has a second, smaller location in the East Village." - will hartman, neha talreja, bryan kim, willa moore