Finally made it to Soo Cafe yay! Even the chef wanted to know what took me so long to check them out. Soo's moved off of Brentwood Rd. right off of Capital blvd in a small strip mall. The restaurant itself was bigger then I expected and is great for families or crowds. They also have a private room and I saw some karaoke equipment in there, I think fried chicken and karaoke sounds like one fun night to me! So here is goes the Korean fried chicken is amazing, I've never had anything like it anywhere else in town. The restaurant is authentic the Chef is the real deal and even came out to see how the food was and offer some tea after are meal. Big thanks to Ron W for showing me this place. We ordered a pork belly dish not sure what the Korean name of it was but it's served with rice, lettuce, kimchi, and some sauces. I liked the way this dish tasted all wrapped up in a lettuce but I wasn't crazy about the pork belly. It was prepared differently then I've ever had before it wasn't bad just different the meat itself didn't have much taste. However the real reason I was here was for the fried chicken. The chicken here they master. it's super crunchy coating is just delicious and that soy garlic sauce yum so good! We ordered the whole chicken and I had a lot to take home for later. Knowing you have that yummy fried chicken in your fridge is tough. I grabbed a piece before I ever put it in the fridge and by the end of the night that chicken was gone. Soo Cafe is special and authentic I will be back and can't wait to tell some of my friends about this place. read more

Soo Cafe - Soy garlic whole chicken - Korean Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Why?!?!? Why did I find this place just as I am moving out of state?!?! Their wings are so amazing! I've literally been dreaming of their wings... they won't be easy to replace or replicate. I came in after reading all the reviews, slightly skeptical that the wings would be that good... but boy was I wrong. I ordered the Soga (soy garlic) wings and they are the bomb. Wings were so flavorful, super crispy and cooked perfectly! Not dried out at all! And that's saying something because I ordered it to go, meaning they were still amazing after sitting in my car for a bit. Seriously finger licking good! I also ordered the bibimbap and it was also delicious but I preferred the wings. I can't speak to the other dishes, but I'd recommend trying out their wings if you're ever in the mood for wings with a flavor kick! read more

Great Food Best Fried Chicken EVER EVERYTHING HERE IS GOOD! The Service Is Great The Employees Are Very Kind And The Ambiance and Look of the place is very Nice read more

Don't be confused with the term "KFC" here. There is definitely nothing Kentucky about this place. "KFC" is the term for Korean Fried Chicken. I went to their first location in NCST and thought the chicken was excellent so I had to come to their new location. The chicken is still at its best. The chicken is definitely the star. You can eat it plain or there are a couple of different sauces you can pick from the list. There is a soy garlic which is my favorite. There is also a really spicy sauce and a kinda spicy sauce which you can put on the chicken, which I have forgotten the names of. However the chicken is super juicy and the skin is so crispy. The sauces go really well with the chicken, but it is very messy to eat. Just hope the sink isn't going to be broken like it was when I was there last time. You can also get Bulgogi and Bibimbap there and those are good too, but I would definitely pick the chicken over those options if I was here. When you're in the mood for some fried chicken, why not pass up the regular options like Kentucky Fried Chicken or Bojangles and come down to Soo's? I'm positive it would create some competition. read more

This is not a true Korean restaurant. Keep in mind I'm Chinese American from California, so I have high standards. In other words- you can take my word with a grain of salt. My mom, husband, and I ordered the fried chicken (with the NC hot sauce), the bibimbab, and tempura udon. How do I know this place isn't meant for true Asians? - The place settings do not automatically come with chopsticks. You have to ask for them. - Fried chicken as the main attraction? Now, I know I'm in the south. - The udon did not come with an Asian soup spoon. It came with a regular American spoon, which is what you're not supposed to use for noodle soups. American soup spoons are not wide or deep enough. - The tempura in my udon, especially the shrimp, should have been set aside in its own bowl. All the tempura was inside the broth. But I think that's where the cooks are catering to an American clientele. I like to be able to eat my tempura fresh. - No ramen. The noodle soup selection was udon only, no ramen. A true Korean restaurant has delicious ramen. Udon is Japanese, in case you don't know. - Not enough rice with the bibimbab. True bibimbab is a mixture of rice with the toppings. My mom said there was very little rice. - My husband said he's had better fried chicken. He also said the smell of the chicken was a bit off. Not sure exactly what was the cause, but there it is. - For this place being so highly rated on Yelp, business was not so great. There was only one table seated when we arrived for lunch. To me, that is a detractor for a Saturday lunch crowd. What was good? Yes, there are a few good things... - The tempura in my udon did not seem overly battered, which is nice. That's the way tempura is supposed to be. The tempura isn't supposed to be caked in batter. In other words, you're not supposed to search for your food. - The gochujang (the red paste that comes with the bibimbab) tasted good. It was slightly spicy and had a nice flavor. - Good service. No complaints from us. Final Answer This is not on my list of places to return to for truly good ethnic Korean food. read more

Soo Cafe - Menu - Korean Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

This restaurant is 'meh'. I ordered bibimbap with beef and my friend ordered fried 'half chicken' which consists of 10 random pieces of chicken. The breading on the chicken was good but the 10 random pieces were not easily identifiable some with lots of cartilage. You can get better fried chicken at H-Mart (a big Korean grocery store with a food court, located in Cary). My beef bibimbap came with a fully cooked egg and the menu says they cannot make it sunny side up, which I really like. There was barely any beef. The veggies looked uninspiring also. The rice did not crisp up on the bottom of the bowl like it should. They had a TV blasting K-pop music which can be annoying depending on how you feel about that music genre. The service was good. read more

Soo Cafe - Mediocre beef bibimbap - Korean Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I can't believe it took me so long to find this hidden gem. I thought I was satisfied with the korean establishments in Chapel Hill, but that was clearly a most egregious lie to myself. I got the bibimbap and my friend and I split half a chicken. Literally, and I mean it, should anything be Korean deep fried (the best crunch EVER) and covered in SOGA/original sauce, I will happily eat it. Be it chicken or my shoe. The fried chicken is made to order and clearly beats KFC by light years. The service was very attentive given that it was quite busy (during Labor Day), the premises were clean, and parking was plentiful. I totally recommend coming here for fried chicken (or food in general) lovers. read more

Soo Cafe - New hours of operation - Korean Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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The Korean fried chicken here is amazing, easily some of the best fried chicken you can get around Raleigh. It's double fried and is the pinnacle of crunchiness. The chicken came out freshly prepared and extremely hot. I had my half chicken covered in SoGa sauce (soy garlic) sauce, and it had the perfect amount of sweetness with a little kick to it as well. Even drenched in sauce, the chicken remained extremely crispy throughout the meal. The chicken is a little pricey ($10 for half, $20 for whole chicken), but it is well worth it. I've never been disappointed with the chicken here and will definitely be back to try it with the traditional sauce. We also got the bibimbap and beef bulgogi and both were decent, not bad, but also not as good as the chicken. Overall, I'd highly recommend coming to Soo Cafe to get the Korean fried chicken. That is their specialty and is a must order. The other food on the menu is okay, but why get anything else when you know the fried chicken is head and shoulders above the rest. read more

Soo Cafe - Soga half chicken. Delicious! - Korean Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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5/5. So happy I got to try out this place because it's soooo hard to find good Korean Fried Chicken in NC. Between two people, we shared one order of 10 wings (soy garlic sauce) and one order of the 6 tenders (original sauce). It was enough to fill both of us up! I enjoyed literally every single bite. The chicken is full of flavor and very juicy. I am getting hungry just thinking about it now. Tip: If you ask for a small side of radish, you can get it with no charge (per table)! Our waiter was nice and made sure that we had everything we needed. He was attentive and gave us good recommendations. I can't wait to go back and try their other flavors! read more

Soo Cafe - 6 tenders - original sauce - Korean Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I will drive 15 minutes out of my way to just come here for some of the most unique chicken fingers I've ever had, with some of the spiciest sauce I've ever had. Amazing, do recommend! read more

This is my favorite Korean fried chicken place in this area. They have a wide variety of sauces (depending on level of spiciness) that you can choose for the fried chicken. They have other dishes as well like bibimbap and appetizers like dumplings and tempura vegetables that we tried. The bibimbap and pan fried dumpling was alright, I have had better ones... the tempura vegetables was pretty good. The ambience of the restaurant is very calming and pleasant. The restaurant is in a strip mall with plenty of parking place. I will definitely go back here just for the delicious fried chicken. read more

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Fantastic! Super clean space. The fried chicken with the soy-garlic sauce is something dreams are made out of. The bibimbap with spicy beef is amazing. I wish I would have found this place sooner!! read more

Soo Cafe - Bibimbap-spicy beef with egg added. - Korean Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Alright a few things. The chicken here is good, one of the better ones in fact that I've ever had (Boston - Bon chon, LA - I forget the place, Philly - chicken and joy + some other bar, NYC - 3rd floor, SF - San Tung...get the picture? I have a fried chicken problem) but I can't give this place more than 3 stars. The sauce was a little too sweet for me personally. I thought it'd be a little more soyish and the samgyupsal I got was super oily. Yes, I also have a pork belly problem...but not draining out almost any of the oil makes it way less appetizing. But the biggest offense to me? How you going to have a thing that explains anju and then charge $2 for pickled radish (moo) that EVERYWHERE else gives to you with the chicken and in fact replenishes it almost non stop? I dunno. That's just blasphemy to me. Come for the fried chicken, it's good, it's inexpensive (unless you add in the banchan which I refused to do out of principle!) read more

Soo Cafe - SoGa KFC half chicken - Korean Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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The Korean fried chicken is awesome here and i recommend getting the tenders. You get alot more meat on them as opposed to the wings which are mostly breading but still real good. The bimbimbap I wast terribly impressed with but you dont have to worry about that because you're going here for the chicken as previously mentioned. Staff has always been real nice and plenty of parking since its in a strip mall. As a bonus you get to watch some awesome kpop music videos while you crush your wings. read more

Most important thing first. This place has a Pokestop next door so you need to sit against the wall adjacent to the Mexican restaurant. This made the visit even better and I even caught a new Pokemon for my collection. The wings are delicious. I tried the old traditional sauce. HOTTTT!!!! But not completely burn away all taste buds hot. Or at least my mouth's taste buds seemed intact. I love how crispy the wings are. Definitely prepared fresh because they were steaming hot when I bit into one. Even my last one was piping hot inside. If you eat with just one hand, it frees the other hand to periodically collect rewards from the Pokestop. I love the owner too. Very friendly. Talked to all the tables. Asked me if I caught any Pokemons. She was a little concerned that for my first time I ordered the Old Traditional sauce but I assured her I loved it. Can't wait to return to Raleigh so I can come visit again. read more

Soo Cafe - Piping hot wings covered in delicious Old Traditional sauce - Korean Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I'm pretty sure I've died and gone right on to wing heaven! The crispy, crackly coating on these wings is so freaking good! Not a huge fan of what is the biggest selling sauce, the Soga. I think I'll be trying the Old Fashioned on my next visit. My friend got the Beef Bulgogi (not the spicy one) and it was really yummy! Ummm, I'm thinking of the food now and smiling. The only other Korean I've eaten in Raleigh they gave us little bowls of (for lack of a better word) treats, I believe called banchan? I have to say I missed getting those. I'm unwilling to pay extra to get them. The dressing on my friend's salad was good, I assume a sesame one, but with a kick. So, I'll be seeing you soon, Soo Cafe! read more

Hands down best chicken I've ever had in my life. Traditional sauce is amazing 10/10 would recommend.

I tried this place because of the reviews and unfortunately was very disappointed. It makes me wonder what some people are comparing this to. Soo Cafe is ok for what it is but way to expensive for the quality and quantity. Decided to only have the small plate Bulgogi to start and glad that's all I went with. I will say it was very well seasoned but the meat was overcooked and very chewy. Judging by the pictures the portions are much larger for dine in. Even the other take out photos are larger portions. The quantity I received for take out is comparable to a child size portion. It was literally a scoop of meat and vegetables wrapped in aluminum foil. There were 2 nice size scoops of sticky rice, definitely ALOT more rice than meat. IMO they appear to take more pride in the presentation of dine in orders. My experience was not enough to return. read more

Have been craving Korean fried chicken since I moved here from LA last year. Hearing about this place and going with friends. Oh my! Definitely got my KFC-fix in. A bit off the path to get here. There was a private room we were put in with our big party. Service was a bit slow, but we got all of our food eventually! Whole chicken sogo, original, and old fashioned was what we ordered. After eating most of it, I could not tell the different between sogo and original were fairly similar. But it was good overall! read more

Soo Cafe - Whole chicken - Korean Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I have to revise my former review. Please listen to people when they say the tenders are awful, they really are. However, the wings are awesome and I can scarcely believe they come from the same kitchen. I really enjoyed the wings but the lack of sides and cave-like decor prevent me from giving the place a top score but it was good. read more

It's not a bad restaurant, it's just that the menu is weird. It says Korean style restaurant but when you walk in it doesn't feel that way. No free side dishes when you order an entree which is what Korean restaurants are known for. The fried chicken was at best mediocre, and they charge two extra bucks for sauce which is kinda ridicules. I expected the sauce to be tossed in the fried chicken and evenly cover the whole chicken, but instead they just poured it over the chicken. Overall dissatisfied. Probably won't go back. read more

Their chicken wings are SO GOOD. The sauces are delicious, especially the soga! Definitely recommend!!

LOVE EVERYTHING. Their specialty is chicken and they offer various kinds of sauces, SoyGarlic, old fashion, original sauces and more. Their radish side dish goes so well with the chicken. It does take time to prepare the chicken but its totally worth the wait! Builds up the hunger too, haha. They also have a back room for big parties and a karaoke machine too! The staff is amazing. Very helpful! Last time I went I believe it was the owner who approached my family and I while we were dining in. He greeted us and asked if we enjoyed our meal (which we did). He thanked us for coming in. It was a very nice gesture along with the rest of the quality dine in experience. :) read more

Soo Cafe - Soga Chicken - Korean Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

So I'm back home for Thanksgiving and my old high school friends get together at Soo Cafe..which is ::air quote:: better than bonchon chicken in CA..annnnnd naturally i HAD to try this place.. 1. First, this place was completely empty. Granted its the eve of Thanksgiving and we're all supposed to be at home with family..but man, there's always something unnerving to eat in a completely empty restaurant at 7pm.. 2. I ordered the SOGA flavor - whole chicken..which gave us about 4 pieces each (16 pieces for a whole chicken)..it was pretty good, i must admit..the sauce wasn't too sweet and the battered fried pieces were very very crispy. All good things about the chicken..everyone should definitely try Korean fried chicken if you haven't already.. 3. Service was abnormally slow..especially for an empty restaurant. Took us a ridiculous time to place our order..get our food..and pay the bill. I'm pretty forgiving about service at these places, but man..i can't imagine how bad service would've been if it had been busy!! All in all a good place for fried korean chicken. SOGA was definitely the right sauce...but i don't think this place was good for much else. The Galbi was normal..not a lot of selection on the menu..and the seaweed salad, was..well..it was seaweed salad. Overall 3 stars..a great place for a snack and you'd be the king of potlucks if you brought this to a potluck party, but IMO the selection wasn't diverse enough and the chicken wasn't satisfying enough for a full on dinner. read more

Very good wings, Like all the different ways they make them. Kimchi is filled with flavor and delicious. Tiger read more

Food is fresh but not delicious. Fried chicken was too garlicky. The restaurant is dark and lunch for two over 82 dollars. Small proportions. Nice service! read more

My beau and I are big fans of the chicken wings with the old fashion sauce. It's the perfect blend of crispy, hot, sour and sweet all in one. The only downside is that they only serve the wings a la carte. read more

Horrible experience, chicken was not fresh, definitely was frozen and the sauce tasted horrible. Found a long hair in the side of rice. Edamame was typical out of the freezer steamed and salted. Do not be fooled by the raving reviews like we did for a quick team lunch. read more

Pretty dope. Tried the fried chicken... pretty good. If you're not a fan of Korean flavors (which can be challenging), then you might not like it. It's not General Tso, and it is definitely not Franks Hot Sauce-inspired wings you'd pick up at some other places. Also picked up the bibimbap and it was very satisfying. K-pop music videos playing on the screens can make the experience pretty interesting. I wouldn't suggest this place if you're not adventurous, but if you're into something different, give it a shot. I was a little disappointed that the menu wasn't very broad, but I guess if you do something well--you just stick to what you do well. read more

Wings are pretty good. Haven't had the Korean food yet. Chicken was fried well. No all you eat. It's a little hole in the wall

Best korean fried chicken. Hmart's korean fried chicken is nothing compared to this. I 10/10 would recommend the soga flavor.....chef's kiss

The best wings in the Triangle. Not just the best Korean wings but the best wings of any style. Hands down. Soga sauce is the way to go. If you don't like the wings here then there's something wrong with your mouth. read more

Just got some food from here and halfway through I felt sick and threw up. I'm not sure what is going on, but that food wasn't fresh at all and the onions had some black stuff all on it. I wouldn't recommend eating here. This will be my last time. They only received 1 star by default. read more

Have only ever had the soga wings and I can't imagine ever eating Korean fried chicken anywhere else. Take it from a Korean who is picky about her k-fried chicken: these wings are THE BEST in the area. Delish!! read more

Soooo good, we got soga wings and NC spicy wings. We only got 10 pieces but i wish I got 20!! Also we had the shrimp tempura which was probaly one of the best tempura batters I've ever had! Great find and one of our fave places to eat now. read more

Soo Cafe - Korean Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I know that these guys just moved, so I'm being pretty generous with my "yelp star count". My husband and I ate in the restaurant last week- our first experience with Korean chicken - and it was deeeeeelicious!! We had to wait a lonnnng time for it to be cooked, but frustration melted away with our first bite into the ooey-gooey-crunchy-magical piece of chicken!! Today we tried take-out. We were told it would be 20-25 minutes, and after 45 min our chicken was finally ready to go. I was definitely upset.... but... again, the chicken was aaaamazing! The atmosphere of the restaurant is really artsy and cool- they did a good job making the space their own. The chicken is great. Really epic. The servers/staff TRY really hard, so I give them points for that. I guess I just recommend that you be prepared for a bit of a wait- nothing that a little good company/conversation can't cure. ;) read more

Chicken wings and beef golabi soo goood. They can be a little slow sometimes but food is great.

This are the crispiest and tastiest wings I've ever had. I love all the flavors! Be aware if spice level.

Im not sure what people find so attractive about this place, but I didnt like it. The beef bulgolgi was the only thing that I was OK with. The wings I had were not as spectacular as I had hoped. The wings were not great. The soga sauce had this weird, sweet and spicy combo that didnt sit well with me. The meat of the wings felt super gamey. I could see this place being popular as a quick lunch spot for someone who works by, but otherwise, I dont get the appeal of this place. read more

Holy moly. Best chicken in Raleigh, soga sauce is a must. Good service always, fresh and hot.