# Raku > Raku — American restaurants in New York, NY. ## Key facts - **URL**: https://frankiapp.com/business/raku-29301 - **Type**: Restaurants - **Cuisine**: American - **Location**: New York, NY - **Address**: 342 E 6th St (btwn 1st & 2nd Ave), New York, NY 10003, US - **Phone**: 12122281324 - **Website**: https://www.rakunyc.com - **Coordinates**: 40.726536, -73.986776 - **Claimed**: unclaimed - **Vibes**: Casual, Cozy, Buzzing, Intimate ## About Raku is a Japanese udon specialist tucked into the East Village at 342 E 6th St, born from chef Ishizuka's sixty years of culinary experience and a deep love for classic Japanese comfort food. The menu centers on voluminous bowls of chewy, silky noodles served in a signature dashi broth, alongside small bites rooted in Japanese tradition. Guests rave about the bouncy, handmade noodle texture and fan-favorite bowls like the Niku Udon with boneless short rib and the Chikara with chicken and mochi. The space is contemporary and minimalist, with outdoor seating that diners consistently describe as a highlight. Warm service and a buzzing, intimate atmosphere make it a natural fit for date nights, group hangouts, and family meals alike. ## Highlights - **Handmade udon noodles** — Each bowl features chewy, silky noodles crafted in-house with a signature dashi broth. - **Standout bowl lineup** — The Niku Udon with boneless short rib and the crab udon are crowd favorites. - **Cozy, minimalist space** — A streamlined interior and a spacious outdoor area create a relaxed, intimate feel. - **Classic Japanese bites** — Starters like agedashi tofu round out a menu rooted in Japanese comfort food tradition. ## FAQ ### Where is Raku located in New York? Raku's East Village location sits at 342 E 6th St, between 1st and 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003. The restaurant also has locations in SoHo, Midtown, and a Brooklyn outpost for delivery and pickup. ### What are Raku's hours at the East Village location? The East Village location is open Monday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Tuesday through Thursday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 9:30 pm, and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For special hours or holiday closures, check Raku's Instagram or Google listing. ### What type of food does Raku serve? Raku specializes in Japanese udon, with voluminous bowls of handmade chewy noodles served in a signature dashi broth. Beyond udon, the menu includes donburi rice bowls and a selection of classic Japanese small bites. You can also customize your bowl with chili oil or togarashi for extra heat. ### What are the most popular dishes at Raku? The Niku Udon, loaded with boneless short rib, tendon, and tripe, is a top pick for beef lovers. The crab udon and the Chikara bowl with chicken and mochi also draw consistent praise. For starters, the agedashi tofu and chicken tetsu-age are frequently recommended by diners. ### What is Franki? Franki is a restaurant discovery app that helps you find great places to eat through real video reviews from actual diners. You can browse reviews, photos, and videos of Raku on Franki, and earn cash back when you dine there. Download Franki on the App Store or Google Play to start exploring. ### Does Raku take reservations? Yes, Raku accepts reservations at all of its dine-in locations. Given how popular the East Village spot can get, booking ahead is a good idea, especially for weekend visits. ### Is Raku a good spot for groups or date nights? Raku works well for a range of occasions, from casual group hangouts and family meals to date nights. The intimate, buzzing atmosphere and cozy setting suit smaller gatherings, and the outdoor dining area offers extra space when the weather cooperates. ### How can I contact Raku? You can reach the East Village location by phone at (212) 228-1324 or by email at eastvillage@rakunyc.com. For menus, reservation links, and updates across all locations, visit rakunyc.com. ### Who is the chef behind Raku? Raku was created by chef Ishizuka, who brings over sixty years of culinary experience to the concept. His goal is to honor Japanese home cooking traditions and create a menu centered on udon as a classic comfort food, served in a warm and welcoming contemporary space. ## Reviews ### casserolebites — 5.0/5 · Sep 8, 2022 if you’re looking for great japanese udon, GO TO RAKU. you won’t regret it! i got some cold udon and i swear it changed my life. a lot of other folks rave about the chicken tetsu-age appetizer too but i didn’t think it was that great. but the udon!! chefs kiss #udon #japanesefood #noodles ### cindyyyy — 5.0/5 · Nov 25, 2022 Raku has amazing udon options! We loved the beef and shrimp bowls. We also ordered the agedashi tofu as a starter. It’s a great place to grab food with friends but try to make a reservation ahead of time to avoid the wait. ### audsnoms — 4.2/5 · Sep 24, 2023 Udon is their specialty, but don’t skip out on their donburi (rice bowls)! High recommend their Niku Udon which comes with boneless short rib, tendon, and tripe for the beef lovers. ### noirhalo — 5.0/5 · Jun 22, 2023 Delicious udon soup, sat in the outside section and it was beautiful. ### sylvie — 4.3/5 · May 17, 2024 Very small restaurant. The outdoor dining area is actually much bigger. The udon was super chewy and bouncy! ### justinluo — 5.0/5 · Sep 13, 2025 Really cute Japanese restaurant with tons of flavor! Add chili oil or togarashi to up the spice level ### facebook — 5.0/5 · May 5, 2025 I dare to say this place is better than a lot of places in japan ### silverbananaflies53836 — 5.0/5 · Apr 12, 2026 raku is unlike any udon i've ever had. a must visit if you ever visit. i don't even care that a bowl of udon was 28 dollars, that noodle texture was literal perfection. it was bouncy, chewy and held up even in the hot soup. for the first time i think i preferred a soup udon over a cold one. emma and i paid 5 bucks for extra noodles bc the udon was THAT good. raku deserves the hype! ### appledumplingcinnamonroll — 5.0/5 · Mar 24, 2026 Their handmade udon never misses! ### jennyc — 4.3/5 · Sep 30, 2022 Japanese food is my favorite! Come get your UDON!!! Always a crowd :)