What to Order at Raku SoHo

Raku SoHo is a Japanese udon restaurant in SoHo, New York, where chef Norihiro Ishizuka serves handmade noodles in dashi broths made from scratch. Ishizuka started cooking at thirteen in kappo and udon kitchens, and Raku puts that noodle craft at the center of the menu. Knowing what to order matters here because the menu runs long, spanning hot and cold udon, rice bowls, and a full page of appetizers, and the noodles are the reason to come. Order well and you get one of the better bowls of udon in the city. Order without a plan and you can miss the point. DinnerElite tracks Raku SoHo and emails you the moment a table opens.

What should you order at Raku SoHo?

Start with the udon, which The Infatuation says should be the primary purpose of your visit. The cold Zaru is plain chilled noodles with a dipping sauce, and it shows off how silky and chewy the handmade noodles are. For hot bowls, the Wagyu udon uses A5 Miyazaki beef, the Nabeyaki packs chicken, shrimp tempura, sea eel, and fish cake, and the Kani Ankake folds snow crab into a thick egg soup. The Tantan and the Ja Ja bring spicy miso pork if you want heat. On the appetizer page, the chicken tatsu-age (fried chicken) and the gyoza are both solid picks, per The Infatuation. If you want a rice bowl, the donburi options include a raw bluefin Maguro Don and a Kaisen Don of tuna, salmon, and scallop. The Infatuation notes the uni and salmon roe bowl, around $38, is small and not the highlight, so you can skip it.

How should you approach the menu at Raku SoHo?

Treat the udon as the anchor and build around it. The soups, with additions like wagyu beef, are what The Infatuation calls everything you could want on a cold, rainy day, so a hot bowl is the safe centerpiece in cool weather. If it is warm out, the cold udon like the Zaru or the Kani Maze with crab roe and yuzu let the noodles stand on their own. Add one or two appetizers to share, such as the gyoza or the fried chicken, rather than loading up on rice bowls that compete with the noodles. Portions are generous, so pace yourself. The donburi and the pricier uni canapes are fine, but they are supporting acts. Come hungry, keep the order noodle-forward, and you will eat the way the kitchen intends.

How do you actually get a table at Raku SoHo?

Raku SoHo takes reservations on SevenRooms, but only a limited number, and the room runs mostly on walk-ins. The Infatuation warns it is pretty much always slammed with significant waits by 7pm, so going early, going at lunch, or sitting solo at the bar is the easiest way in. Per DinnerElite tracking data, tables here are claimed an average of twelve days before the reservation date, so the booked slots go fast. If you would rather not refresh SevenRooms all day, set a free alert on Raku SoHo and we will watch it around the clock. We send alerts and never book automatically. The one exception is our Expert plan, where a human on our team books hard tables on your behalf.

Frequently asked questions

What is Raku SoHo known for?

Raku SoHo is known for handmade udon noodles served in dashi broths made from scratch by chef Norihiro Ishizuka. The noodles are silky and chewy with tapered ends, and the menu ranges from cold dipping udon to hot bowls built around wagyu, snow crab, or clams.

What should you order at Raku SoHo for the first time?

For a first visit, order a bowl of udon as your main. The cold Zaru shows off the noodles plainly, while a hot bowl like the Wagyu or the Nabeyaki is a heartier choice. Add the gyoza or the chicken tatsu-age to share, and you have covered the best of the menu.

Does Raku SoHo take walk-ins?

Yes. Raku SoHo runs mostly on walk-ins and takes only a limited number of reservations on SevenRooms. The Infatuation notes it is usually slammed with long waits by 7pm, so arriving early, at lunch, or solo for a bar seat helps you avoid the line.

Is Raku SoHo good for a solo diner?

Yes. The Infatuation suggests going by yourself and trying for a seat at the bar as one of the easier ways to get in. A single bowl of udon is a full meal, which makes Raku SoHo a comfortable place to eat alone at the counter.

Does DinnerElite book the table for me?

No. We send alerts and you book the table yourself. The one exception is our Expert plan, where a human concierge books on your behalf.