Bia K.
Yelp
According to Raku's website, Ishizuka's menu is centered around an iconic noodle that has been a classic comfort food in Japan. Ishizuka serves his voluminous bowls of chewy and silky noodles in his signature dashi soup. In addition to an extensive udon offering, he also showcases an appetizer menu featuring some of Japan's most classic small bites. By offering a contemporary and minimalist dining space paired with warm service, Ishizuka aims to create happy memories for customers through his food.
I have visited all three Raku locations so far, and each time their cold noodles have been consistently good and refreshing. While hot udon can be found anywhere, Raku is the only place I go to for cold noodles.
However, if you are new to eating cold noodles, it can be a strange experience at first. When you order the Yamakake cold noodle, it comes with an egg, soy sauce, and seaweed. If it's your first time, you might not know what to do with the poached egg, and the taste may seem strange to you. But once you get past that initial bite and realize that the noodles are silky smooth and refreshing, like a can of ice-cold soda on a hot summer day, you won't be able to stop slurping them up.
Furthermore, the restaurant doesn't just serve good cold noodles; their appetizers are also consistently delicious. The Chicken Tatsuta-age is a must-try; it's probably one of the best fried chicken dishes I've ever had at a Japanese restaurant. Additionally, their Sabazushi, which is mackerel pressed sushi, is also worth trying.
The only downside of this place is that it's small and always busy, which can make it a bit cramped at times.
My Favorite : Yamakake Cold noodle
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
* Food: 5/5
* Service: 4/5
* Value: 4/5
* Ambience & Cleanliness: 4/5
Would I visit this place more than 3 times? Yes