Raku Soho – Japanese
Step off the bustling Soho streets into a minimalist sanctuary where the air is thick with the comforting, umami-rich aroma of simmering dashi. Hand-crafted udon takes center stage with its signature silken chew, served in oversized bowls alongside delicate, lace-like tempura and refined small plates. It is a masterclass in Japanese soul food, offering a warm and rhythmic escape that balances modern urban energy with focused, timeless craftsmanship.
48, MacDougal Street, New York, NY, 10012 +1-212-228-1324 https://rakunyc.com/Rating: 4.5/5 (1748 reviews)
Cuisine: Japanese
Price range: $$
Dietary options: keto, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, halal, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, high-protein, mediterranean, whole30, pescatarian, paleo, diabetic, heart-healthy, plant-based, low-sodium, low-fat, sugar-free, anti-inflammatory, atkins, south-beach, weight-watchers, dash-sodium-reduced, clean-eating, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, gerd, low-fodmap, raw-food, zone, volumetrics, tlc, detox, alkaline, aip, renal, mayo-clinic, macrobiotic, slow-carb, sirtfood, pegan, candida, lectin-free
Currently open
Hours
- Sunday - Thursday
- 12:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Friday - Saturday
- 12:00 AM - 11:00 PM
What diners are saying
Celebrated for some of the best udon in NYC, diners rave about Raku SoHo’s authentic, chewy noodles and comforting broths. Standout dishes include the rich tantan, the light nabeyaki with perfectly fried shrimp tempura, and the flavorful chicken tatsuta-age appetizer. While the cozy, intimate space often draws long waits and tight seating, guests find the fresh, high-quality food worth the queue. Reviews are mixed on service, ranging from prompt to inattentive, but the overall consensus highlights a satisfying meal perfect for udon lovers.
Menu
- Yuzu Mimosa - $16
- Kyuri - $16
- Hikari Spritz - $16
- Kamoizumi Shusen 賀茂泉 朱泉 - $18
- Daiginjo Zaku 作雅乃智中取り純米大吟醸 (Bottle) - $130
- Bijofu The Gentleman 美大夫 (Glass) - $19
- Bijofu The Gentleman 美大夫 (Carafe) - $63
- Hoyo ‘Genji’ 鳳陽源氏 (Glass) - $17
- Hoyo ‘Genji’ 鳳陽源氏 (Carafe) - $56
- Hoyo ‘Genji’ 鳳陽源氏 (Bottle) - $98
- Kamoizumi Red Maple 賀茂泉 (Glass) - $16
- Kamoizumi Red Maple 賀茂泉 (Carafe) - $53
- Kamoizumi Red Maple 賀茂泉 (Bottle) - $96
- Kokuryu 黒龍 (Glass) - $16
- Kokuryu 黒龍 (Carafe) - $53
- Yuki Otoko 'Yeti' 雪男 (Glass) - $12
- Yuki Otoko 'Yeti' 雪男 (Carafe) - $40
- Kokuryu Kuzuryu 黒滝 九頭龍 (Glass) - $12
- Kokuryu Kuzuryu 黒滝 九頭龍 (Carafe) - $40
- Tedorigawa ‘U’ 手取川 ‘U’ (Glass) - $16
- Tedorigawa ‘U’ 手取川 ‘U’ (Carafe) - $53
- Tedorigawa ‘U’ 手取川 ‘U’ (Bottle) - $96
- Suigei 酔鯨 (300 ml) - $34
- Nigori Mukade 無風 (Glass) - $12
- Nigori Mukade 無風 (Carafe) - $40
- Nigori Mukade 無風 (Bottle) - $72
- Masumi Hiyaoroshi 真澄 ひやおろし (Glass) - $18
- Masumi Hiyaoroshi 真澄 ひやおろし (Carafe) - $55
- Masumi Hiyaoroshi 真澄 ひやおろし (Bottle) - $92
- Kamoizumi 賀茂泉 (Glass) - $18
- Kamoizumi 賀茂泉 (Carafe) - $59
- Kamoizumi 賀茂泉 (Bottle 500ml) - $99
- Hojun 芳醇ゆず酒 (Glass) - $15
- Hojun 芳醇ゆず酒 (Carafe) - $50
- Hojun 芳醇ゆず酒 (Bottle) - $90
- Add Sparkling Water (Glass Only) - $1
- Jeio Prosecco (Glass) - $16
- Jeio Prosecco (Bottle) - $48
- Boulanger La Muse Crémant de Loire Rosé (Glass) - $16
- Boulanger La Muse Crémant de Loire Rosé (Bottle) - $48
- Thierry Merlin Cherrier Sancerre Synopsis 2022 (Glass) - $18
- Thierry Merlin Cherrier Sancerre Synopsis 2022 (Bottle) - $80
- Louis Liger-Leblanc 2022 (Glass) - $14
- Louis Liger-Leblanc 2022 (Bottle) - $65
- Route Stock 2023 (Glass) - $17
- Route Stock 2023 (Bottle) - $75
- Bonnet Chénas 2023 (Glass) - $15
- Bonnet Chénas 2023 (Bottle) - $72
- Skin Berguerolles 2022 (Glass) - $17
- Skin Berguerolles 2022 (Bottle) - $75
- Suntory The Premium Malt's Draft - $13
- Sapporo Reserve - $7
- Sapporo Light - $7
- Echigo Koshihikari - $12
- Kagua Rouge - $14
- Wakayama Sansho Ale - $15
- Amami 甘味 - $11
- Mango Lemonade - $11
- Yuzu Lemonade - $10
- Apple Juice - $7
- Mikan Citrus Juice - $7
- Ramune - $5
- Boylan Soda - $5
- Organic Green Tea - $3
- Barley Tea - $5
- Peach Earl Grey Tea - $7
- Salad Salada サラダ - $16
- Add Kani (Snow Crab) - $7
- Spicy Cucumber スパイシーきゅうり - $16
- Cold Otsumami おつまみ - $12
- Ankimo あんきも - $11
- Maguro Yukke 鮪ユッケ (3 pcs) - $18
- Maguro Yukke 鮪ユッケ (6 pcs) - $35
- Uni Canapés 雲丹カナッペ (3 pcs) - $38
- Uni Canapés 雲丹カナッペ (6 pcs) - $69
- Add Caviar (Golden Goat Kaluga) - $20
- Wagyu Tataki 和牛たたき - $23
- Sabazushi 鯖寿司 - $20
- Salmon Oshizushi 鮭寿司 - $25
- Steamed Chawanmushi 茶碗むし - $22
- Add Uni (Sea Urchin) - $12
- Fried Agedashi Tofu 揚げ出し豆腐 - $12
- Yaki Nasu 焼きなす - $12
- Vege Gyoza 餃子 - $13
- Pork Gyoza 餃子 - $13
- Atsugiri Bacon 厚切りベーコン - $22
- Chicken Tatsuta-age 鶏の竜田揚げ (6 pcs) - $13
- Chicken Tatsuta-age 鶏の竜田揚げ (10 pcs) - $21
- Maguro Don 鮪丼 - $34
- Uni Ikura Don 海胆いくら丼 - $48
- Add Caviar (Golden Goat Kaluga) - $20
- Oyako Don 親子丼 - $22
- Katsu Don カツ丼 - $24
- Gyutama Don 牛玉丼 - $38
- Unatama Don うな玉丼 - $28
- Zaru ざるうどん - $15
- Add Shrimp Tempura (2 pcs) - $8
- Add Vegetable Tempura - $7
- Yamakake 山かけうどん - $18
- Sansai Bukkake 山菜ぶっかけ - $22
- Kani Maze かにまぜうどん - $26
- Add Spicy Nori Sansho Chili Oil (1oz) - $1
- Ja Ja ジャージャーうどん - $22
- Buta Shabu ぶたしゃぶうどん - $23
- Kitsune きつねうどん - $15
- Ankake あんかけうどん - $16
- Nameko なめこうどん - $19
- Sansai 山菜うどん - $19
- Yasai Kakiage 野菜かきあげうどん - $18
- Ebiten えび天うどん - $19
- Toriten 鳥天うどん - $22
- Chikara 力うどん - $24
- Gyunan 牛南うどん - $23
- Wagyu 和牛うどん (American Mishima) - $38
- Wagyu 和牛うどん (Japanese A5 Miyazaki) - $50
- Kamonan 鴨南うどん - $24
- Hamaguri はまぐりうどん - $32
- Kani Ankake かにあんかけうどん - $28
- Niku 肉うどん - $28
- Curry カレーうどん (Chicken) - $22
- Curry カレーうどん (Prime Beef Zabuton) - $23
- Wagyu 和牛 (Beef Substitute - American Mishima) - $38
- Wagyu 和牛 (Beef Substitute - Japanese A5 Miyazaki) - $48
- Tantan 坦々うどん - $24
- Nabeyaki 鍋焼きうどん - $31
- Poached Egg - $3
- Prime Beef Zabuton - $11
- Duck Breast - $12
- Mishima Wagyu Beef - $24
- A5 Miyazaki Beef - $36
- Chicken - $8
- Spicy Miso Pork - $9
- Shrimp Tempura - $8
- Maitake Tempura - $6
- Nameko Mushrooms - $8
- Grated Daikon - $4
- Wakame - $3
- Sansai - $3
- Spinach - $2
- Fried Bean Curd - $3
- Umeboshi - $2
- Vegetable Tempura - $7
- Shiso Leaf Tempura - $2
- Shiitake Mushroom - $2
- Grated Yam - $4
- Tororo Konbu - $2
- Tokyo Negi - $3
- Toasted Seaweed - $2
- Mochi - $4
- Nori Sansho Chili Oil (2oz) - $2
- Sabazushi 鯖寿司 - $18
- Salmon Oshizushi 鮭寿司 - $24
- Add Caviar (Salmon Roe Substitute) - $20
- Kaedama 替え玉 - $5
- Rice ライス - $3
- Add Hijiki ひじき - $3
- Fruit Soufflé Roll Cake フルーツスフレロールケーキ - $16
- Green Tea Tiramisu 抹茶ティラミス - $12
- Soba Pudding そばプリン - $11
- Hojicha Pumpkin Panna Cotta ほうじ茶かぼちゃのパンナコッタ - $12
- Baseball Cap キャップ - $35
- Tee Shirt ティーシャツ - $45
- Long Sleeve Shirt 長袖シャツ - $45
- Tote Bag トートバッグ - $35
Frequently Asked Questions about Raku Soho
- What makes this restaurant unique or special?
- Raku Soho is unique for its hand-crafted udon with a signature silken chew, authentic dashi, and minimalist, intimate sanctuary atmosphere.
- What percentage of this menu works for vegan, keto, gluten-free, or low-carb diets?
- Based on the provided data, 80% of the listed dishes accommodate vegan, keto, gluten-free, or low-carb dietary requirements.
- What are the standout dishes based on the menu?
- Standout dishes include rich tantan, nabeyaki with shrimp tempura, chicken tatsuta-age, vegetable tempura, and hojicha pumpkin panna cotta.
- What is the overall customer sentiment about this restaurant?
- Diners highly praise the 4.5/5 rated restaurant for its authentic udon and chicken tatsuta-age, despite long waits and mixed service.
- How many reviews does this restaurant have?
- Raku Soho has a total of 1,748 reviews, which contribute to the restaurant’s overall average rating of 4.5 out of 5.
- How can I contact this restaurant?
- You can contact Raku Soho by visiting their official website at https://rakunyc.com/ for more information about the restaurant.
- Is this restaurant currently open and operational?
- Raku Soho is currently operational, as indicated by its active website at https://rakunyc.com/ and recent customer reviews.
- What is the restaurant's atmosphere and style?
- Raku Soho is a minimalist sanctuary and cozy, intimate space featuring tight seating that balances modern urban energy with timeless craftsmanship.
- What is the price range at this restaurant?
- Raku Soho is categorized as having a moderate price range, which is represented by the price level ($$).
- How extensive is this restaurant's menu selection?
- The menu features 44 diet-specific categories including vegan, keto, and gluten-free options across udon, tempura, and various Japanese small plates.