Find impeccable wings and shaking beef at Sophie's Kitchen - Review - Philadelphia - The Infatuation

"Sophie’s Kitchen is a go-to for specific types. Type one is The Wing Hunter: someone who knows an order of crackly, sweet chili-glazed wings can make a bad day great. Type two is The Lingerer: the neighborhood folks who take up half of the tiny dining room and add orders of chicken sour soup and shaking beef as the night goes on (don't worry—there's a larger dining room upstairs). And type three are The Lovers: couples on low key dates that longingly stare at a plate of curry chicken and, occasionally, at each other. Whatever type you are, Sophie’s has the herby papaya salad, bubbling noodles soups, and lemongrass lacquered meat for you. video credit: Nicole Guglielmo photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo video credit: Nicole Guglielmo Pause Unmute Food Rundown Papaya Salad Sophie’s has two papaya salads, and this Thai-leaning one is the one to go for (the Tossed Papaya Salad doesn’t come with a tamarind sauce). Spicy, sweet, and wholly refreshing, it’s one of our favorite things to get—and to look at on the menu. Come on. It’s gorgeous. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Skewers Soy-coated, perfectly-singed chicken or beef with a light touch of pepperiness, all on a stick. Yes. photo credit: CANDIS R. MCLEAN Wings These are, no question, some of the best wings in the city. You get around six in an order, and somehow, they stay impressively juicy even though they’ve been double-fried to the point of having audibly crackling skin. We usually go for the sweet chili, but the lemongrass and curry are just as delicious. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Calamari Light, with tempura-like fried edges, and a great balance of salt and pepper. Order them. PlayMute video credit: CANDIS R. MCLEAN Pin Noodle Stir-Fried Lort Cha A heap of short rice noodles, vegetables, and sautéed shrimp with a fried egg hat. It’s all coated with soy sauce, so there’s a simple and subtle saltiness to the dish. It’s not a dish that has to be on the table. But it’s going to hold its own if it is. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Shaking Beef You can tell the beef was braised with care. Each piece is tender, juicy, and painted with a black pepper sauce. You can use the lettuce to make a wrap or just go for the precious, meaty cargo solo. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Somlaw Machu Kreong This sour, lemongrass-heavy beef soup is a must-order. The meat is stewed, and the flavor gets intensified by the fragrant kaffir lime leaves and chili peppers floating throughout. On a cloudy day, this is your new best friend. PlayMute video credit: Nicole Guglielmo" - Candis R. McLean