Sohao Cafe

This family-run Chinese restaurant serves authentic dishes using real ingredients like ginger, garlic, and green onions. If you’re a fan of spicy food, this place is a must-visit. Unlike typical American Chinese restaurants that are known for their high salt and sugar content, this restaurant offers a different experience. They’re happy to accommodate your preference for milder flavors if you can’t handle spicy food without compromising the flavor. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here and will definitely be back when we’re in town again.

my boyfriend and i came here for the first time tonight to try something new and absolutely loved it !! i haven’t had any luck with Chinese food in Gainesville since moving here but will never try another place again! i got their mapo tofu rice bowl with no pork and my bf got their orange chicken bento which comes with a spring roll, sesame ball and salad. the mapo tofu was AMAZING with lots of tingly sichuan peppercorn and spicy chili oil!! his orange chicken tasted like fresh orange and was super crispy and hot :) we also got the egg drop soup which was light but flavorful! they have plenty of vegetarian options with an entire page dedicated to vegetable dishes :) the portions are generous and prices are so reasonable, we both had plenty of leftovers and only paid about $33 for our me

I think I've come here at least once every two weeks for the last three years. The food is amazing. Even when I eat at Chinese restaurants in mainland China, the thought of "visiting Sohao" comes to mind... The food at Sohao is really that authentic. The staff there are also incredibly welcoming, kind, and nice to talk to. This is a must go-to restaurant to try out if you are in Gainesville.

Hands down the best Asian food in Gainesville! Everything is packed with flavor, fresh ingredients, and perfectly cooked. The pork belly dry wok is absolutely incredible — crispy, tender, and loaded with just the right amount of spice. You can tell every dish is made with care. The portions are generous, the staff is friendly, and the whole experience is always top-notch. I find myself craving it all the time — definitely a Gainesville gem!

This is hands down our favorite restaurant. We love everything we have had and we keep coming back and trying new things. The egg drop soup is a comfort food; we love the dry noodle, Sichuan beef, sweet and sour pork, cucumber in spicy garlic dressing, sesame chicken, scallion pancakes, etc. the menu has options for everyone and has become the place we always want to take others.