Soga Shabu Shabu - Madison

This restaurant is located on an upper floor of an older building on State Street. Upon entering at street level, you climb a long flight of stairs that are lit... read more This restaurant is located on an upper floor of an older building on State Street. Upon entering at street level, you climb a long flight of stairs that are lit up on either side by a string of blue rope lights. I kind felt like I was on my way to a disco, haha. We were greeted by a friendly waitress who seated us immediately. It was late in the afternoon and very quiet in the restaurant. We ordered the wonton soup and sesame chicken with fried rice. The wonton soup was very good, and the sesame chicken was ok. I'm not a fan of breaded chicken anyway, but it didn't excite me. The fried rice was disappointingly on the cool side. The pieces of broccoli that were on the side of the plate were also cold. I didn't eat any of the egg roll, but was told that it was steamy hot and tasted good. Before the food arrived I visited the washroom to wash my hands, and was aware of just how old this building is! The restroom could really use some attention. I love old and historic buildings and have absolutely nothing against that, but it seemed quite dilapidated and dirty. I was thankful for the motion sensored paper towel dispenser, as I was viewing how dirty the light switch plate was. I seriously don't know when the last time it had been wiped down. And the wall I was seated against had a taped up hole.I'd be willing to visit again and try something on the menu that is more suited to my taste. I would also love to see them put a little more effort into fixing the tacky aspects of the interior and scrubbing the place up a bit.

We tried Soga Shabu Shabu for an early dinner on Monday night. This was at their new location on the ground level on State Street. The location on State Street... read more We tried Soga Shabu Shabu for an early dinner on Monday night. This was at their new location on the ground level on State Street. The location on State Street is easy to find and easy to get to. Although the restaurant has been open at this location for several months it still seemed like the space was under construction. Our waitress led us to an empty table and we perused the menus.This is where it got confusing. There are two completely different menus. One is what I will call the American menu. It has the ubiquitous dishes found at any take-out Chinese restaurant. Cheap, filling, occasionally tasty but often bland. On their web-site they call it the All Day Menu. Then there is the multi-page authentic Chinese Menu'. Much more expensive but also more interesting. Offal, lamb, frog, clay-pot and specials. What makes it confusing is that some dishes appear to be on both menus but with different prices: ex: dumplings, sesame chicken, beef with broccoli. Some dishes such as Cumin Lamb were in the Chinese menu multiple times. It made me wonder what the difference was. I asked our waitress about the dumplings and she told me it was a typo but I still found it confusing as it indicated fewer dumplings at a higher price.Regardless we ordered the dumplings, the cumin lamb and the eggplant in garlic sauce. The flavors and textures of everything we had were spot-on. The portion sizes were large enough we took some home. I do wish the prices in the Authentic Chinese Menu were more like the prices in the All Day Menu but I will definitely go back and try other items. I thought everything tasted great!

We have tried soga shabu shabu on Monday night for dinner. this was at her new location on the floor level on the state street. the location in the state street... read more We have tried soga shabu shabu on Monday night for dinner. this was at her new location on the floor level on the state street. the location in the state street is easy to find and easy to reach. although the restaurant has been open at this site for several months, it still seemed as if the space was in construction. our waitress led us to an empty table and we searched the menus here it is confusing. there are two completely different menus. one is what I will call the American menu. it has found the ubiquitous dishes in every take-out Chinese restaurant. cheap, fills, occasionally delicious, but often slandered. on their website they call it the all day menu. then there are...read more

Probably the best Chinese place on state street. read more Probably the best Chinese place on state street.

Good value for food, and an added menu for hot pot and other higher end dishes. read more Good value for food, and an added menu for hot pot and other higher end dishes.