Waterloo Star

The beef noodle soup with hand-shaved noodles is outstanding. The food is prepared rapidly. Although it tends to be quite busy, tables are cleared quickly. It's... read more The beef noodle soup with hand-shaved noodles is outstanding. The food is prepared rapidly. Although it tends to be quite busy, tables are cleared quickly. It's a great spot for authentic flavors.

This is my favorite spot in the plaza, although I can't deny that some of the negative reviews have a point. Sogo serves some of the most authentic Chinese cuis... read more This is my favorite spot in the plaza, although I can't deny that some of the negative reviews have a point. Sogo serves some of the most authentic Chinese cuisine around. The beef noodle soup is a standout, and I’m quite fond of the lamb with soaked bread soup as well. However, if you're not familiar with Chinese language or these specific dishes, you might find it doesn't meet your expectations. The restaurant seems to primarily attract a Chinese clientele. The interior is a bit dark and cluttered, and it's definitely not the cleanest place. Despite these shortcomings, I would be dishonest if I didn’t give Sogo a full five stars. If you're looking for a hearty, homemade taste of China rather than the typical shiny, "fake" Chinese food you usually encounter, this is definitely the place to go.

This restaurant is my favorite Chinese spot by far. The food is genuinely authentic, and the service has always been excellent during my visits. It might be a b... read more This restaurant is my favorite Chinese spot by far. The food is genuinely authentic, and the service has always been excellent during my visits. It might be a bit of a hole in the wall and could appear somewhat unclean, but the quality of the food makes me overlook those aspects. I usually order the Tomato Egg Soup, Chinese Crepe, and Lamb Baked Bun, and I highly recommend any of these dishes. I haven't ventured beyond these selections because they are simply too delicious. The prices are also very reasonable. I wholeheartedly recommend this place!

This place is barely more than a hole in the wall. The service is negligent at best and can be downright rude. Even the cleaniness of the facility is dubious. A... read more This place is barely more than a hole in the wall. The service is negligent at best and can be downright rude. Even the cleaniness of the facility is dubious. And yet, whenever I visit family in Waterloo (I don't live here anymore), I find myself at SOGO, forcibly attracted and helpless to resist. Why, you ask, does this place hold such power? It's all in their rice noodles. This is a specific style of noodle that I simply cannot find anywhere else. The noodles are a most satisfying texture: springier than ramen, softer than udon, chewier than pho, silkier than wheat noodles. Pure perfection. There are many toppings to choose from. I cannot decide which one I love more: the braised lamb or pork with Szechuan picked vegetables. Whichever one you pick, it will be bursting with flavor. Sometimes the kitchen has an off day and the soup comes out a little blander than usual. On those days I bitterly complain about slack work ethics as I heartily slurp my noodles at speed they are always amazing despite the unreliable staff. And then there are the marinated lamb buns. Tender fatty lamb on a bun that is somehow crispy, chewy, and fluffy all at once. Green onion and cilantro help add a layer of complexity to the flavor profile and brighten this rich dish. Warning: this is a greasy, messy kind of bun. You can try to eat it carefully, but I guarantee the meat juice will eventually be dripping down your fingers as you lose youself in bite after blissful bite. It's okay. No one is judging. This is as far from fine dining as it gets, and plus everyone else is busy sucking the juices clean from their own fingers. Other unique menu items: lamb skewers (chunks of well seasoned fatty lamb roasted until smoky great for sharing), Chinese crepe (a thin crepe wrapped around an egg and crisps, with sesame, green onions, and cilantro they make it at the counter and it's fun to watch) I always get a large bowl of rice noodles which is nothing short of shameless gluttony. The small bowl is more than enough for normal people, especially if you also order side dishes, which of course you must.

This restaurant is incredible. I have been a loyal customer for more than 7 years. I highly suggest trying the crispy chili chicken (boneless), griddled pork in... read more This restaurant is incredible. I have been a loyal customer for more than 7 years. I highly suggest trying the crispy chili chicken (boneless), griddled pork intestine, braised lamb noodle soup, stir-fry with your choice of meats/vegetables, mapo tofu, beef fried rice noodle, and steamed pork belly. There are so many delicious options here, you should definitely give it a chance!