Raku (Las Vegas)

General Notes

Raku is an excellent upscale Japanese restaurant in the Chinatown area of Las Vegas. They specialize in charcoal grilled items, and the smoky flavor it infuses onto the dish is really something else. They also offer a variety of other small plates; their tofu is a sleeper hit. Definitely on the pricier side but you an definitely taste the difference. Would recommend giving it a try if you're in the mood for a splurge or for a special occasion!

Positives

> The service here is lovely -- they're super nice and friendly. One of the waitresses had the most lovely smile, I felt like I was about to melt seeing it.

Dishes Tasted

• ★☆☆☆ Fluffy Cheesecake -- The texture is fluffy as promised, but the flavor leaves a bit to be desired. It needs more sweetness, and I'm not a fan of the oreo crust
• ★★★★ Foie Gras Don -- quietly an incredible flavor combination -- very simple but the soy glaze, foie gras, and charcoal grill smokiness go so well together, and the rice provides a nice backdrop
• ★★☆☆ Oyako Don -- your typical oyako don, not anything particularly special. The chicken is nice and tender
• ★☆☆☆ A5 wagyu (special) -- this tastes amazing obviously but didn't quite live up to my expectations for A5. It's buttery and super flavorful but not worth the $120 price tag -- I've definitely had better A5 for much less.
• ★★★☆ Liver -- soft, tender, and the charcoal smoky flavor really comes through in this one
• ★★★★ Outside Skirt -- my favorite grilled dish -- the flavor is incredible and it's so tender + juicy
• ★★★☆ Pork Cheek -- the charcoal grill flavor really shines in this one
• ★★★☆ Duck with balsamic soy glaze -- not quite as juicy + savory as I would hope, but the flavor combination is incredible
• ★★★☆ Bacon-wrapped enoki
• ★★★★ Agedashi Tofu -- a sleeper hit, this dish was incredible. The tofu has a wonderful texture, and it's fried really well. The ikura adds some nice little flavor pops here and there
• ★★☆☆ Scallop (grilled) -- solid dish but not particularly noteworthy
• ★★★★ Uni -- from Mexico -- this is incredible
• ★★★☆ Scallop -- from Hokkaido -- it doesn't quite have the "bouncy" and "juicy" consistency that I might expect from amaebi, but it's so soft and the flavor is incredible.
• ★★★☆ Crispy Fried Shrimp -- shrimp is cooked perfectly, nice flavor