"This 13-seat noodle shop in Crown Heights opened a few months ago, and the striped awning and chalkboard sign out front that simply reads “Udon” has been calling to us ever since. We finally walked in and found a tiny shop covered in Japanese trinkets, and a woman behind the counter pouring scalding broth over delicate piles of noodles. If you live nearby, you will feel highly territorial about it after one visit. Try one of the combos, like the kake udon, which comes with chewy noodles in a sweet, dashi-laced broth, and a bowl of warm rice covered in shiso and ikura. Bonus points for it being an under-$20 lunch." - will hartman, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, sonal shah