Soc Trang Express

This place was very tasty! The decorations are extremely tacky, but kind of cute. The food tastes and looks authentic (according to my Vietnamese girlfriend — I just think the food tasted great). We both ordered the Soc Trang house noodle soup. The broth was really rich and yummy. We also took two orders of Vietnamese congee (Chao) to go, which were delicious.

Great enthusiastic owners. Their goat stew was good, minus the raw onion. Fresh or fried spring rolls and coffee smoothie great choices if you are local. They are very excited and proud of their cuisine. Much different experience from most other restaurants which was refreshing. Beautiful family run place with some Cambodian fusion mixed in. I do not think its possible to have a bad meal here! I would go back if visiting that area of Worcester again. If you are in a rush I would order ahead of time as everything is made to order and super fresh!

My girlfriend and I decided to take a detour and stop by here for a late night dinner during our drive back from Cape Cod. The restaurant is run by husband and wife which are great nice people. There’s a Foosball table and a kids tea set table as you walk in, something you wouldn’t expect at a restaurant.
We got sat down we were served hot tea which had a very aroma. We ordered the goat stew and beef stew both very delicious meals! The dishes were very filling for a reasonable price.
We had also ordered a durian shake which they were well known for and it was so flavorful! It was definitely not lacking in any durian taste and smell! It was so good we ordered an extra one for the road.
They also had a trey of sour crab apples at the counter if I could remember it was about $ 5 for a zip lock bag full. I definitely needed something to snack on during the 3 – 4 hour drive back home.

Cozy spot w great food– and the owner is always willing to suggest other things to me, which I love! His family is always there too and I love the welcoming atmosphere. They treat you like family or like an old friend.
I’ll be back for sure!

UPDATED REVIEW–
I’m sort of a regular here. my boyfriend and i frequent this place about once every week or other week. I went in by myself one day because I had a cold and needed some congee to make me feel better, which was amazing by the way. But what I really wanted to highlight in this review is P. T’s amazing dedication for going above and beyond for his customers. He sent me home with a concoction of honey/​lemon tea (which I didn’t even ask for) and wished me well. This place is truly a gem with delicious food and humble people.

When we walked in, P.T. Immediately asked, «Are either of you two – by any chance – vegetarian?» This was a first for my friend and me, each of us vegan over twenty years!
We found Soc Trang by chance, as we were driving by. We were hungry, and we both love Vietnamese food. The space is simple, bright, and clean. The vegetarian menu has quite a few choices, and P.T. Made sure adjustments were made so that everything we were served was vegan. Such a pleasure not to have to explain our dietary needs!
We ordered the veg spring rolls (minus veggie ham), and they were the best we’ve ever tasted. Ever! We got another order to go for later, they were that good. Then we ordered a dish I don’t remember what it was called but it had tofu and pineapple and tapioca noodles instead of the usual egg noodles, and another one with tofu and brown rice.
If you’re in the neighborhood, definitely give them a try!

Best service i’ve been to, so nice.
Put on Frozen for the kids so we had a nice meal.
fresh spring rolls and #8, i ate too much. didn’t get a chance to try the shave ice, (next time!)
my wife loved her pineapple fried rice, so that means we can go again.
kids love the phở.

This is one of the most amazing dining experiences I have ever had. Soc Trang Express is not a joke.
I stumbled upon Soc Trang while doing a Unilocal search for a quick bite to eat while driving across states; I am so glad I did.
Instead of describing to you each dish that we ate during our meal, I’ll tell you that this was a deliciously memorable experience. A culinary monument. A++++
If in doubt, PLEASE go here!

The restaurant is in the most random spot ever. The food wasn’t the greatest when it first opened which was understandable because they were new and still learning new techniques. But now they’re probably the best around the neighborhood! The owner is so nice and informative, he said what was good and what was «okay» on the menu and would let us try their smoothies. He would recommend this and that meal and whichever was best for us. My favorite dish is the pineapple fried rice & steak.
This restaurant is slowly growing more and more each day and they truly deserve it.

Get the curried goat. Period. It is superlative. As are the smoothies, any flavor. The restaurant is very well hidden, and though others may say that the market is thin, they obviously don’t know Worcester, there are DOZENS of Vietnamese places, and very few stack up with Soc Trang Express.
The owners are very happy to greet everyone into the dining area and treat them like guests in their home, bringing out delicious tea, and making suggestions on the menu. There are about 5 «best item“s on the menu, but if you listen closely, some are described as best selling, and some are described as best tasting. The pineapple fried rice, which is served in an actual pineapple, is tasty, but not out of the ordinary. As I said before, the curried goat is phenomenal, and impossible to describe, other than hearty, flavorful, and complex. The fish stew/​soup is excellent and filling.
Be sure to ask for drinks other than the tea, most of the food is spicy, and be very careful of what I think are piri piri peppers that are served with the dish. I suggest getting a smoothie, especially the strawberry, as it is not overly sweet and utterly drinkable. I also love the coffee smoothie, but others have balked due to the coffee jellies at the bottom. Also, don’t go if you are in a rush, it is only run by two people, and things can get backed up.

Although this place is hidden, it is an absolute must visit restaurant. Owned by a wonderful friendly couple who would explain the menu to you and let you even try their smoothies if they are making any.
The drunken goat curry was beyond tasty, it is cooked well and tasted delicious. Their smoothies are so good, will certainly go back for the curry and the avocado smoothie. Stop by if you are in the area or near by you won’t regret it.

3.333 Stars
I was a little let down after all the glowing reviews. The proprietor was very helpful in pointing out the popular dishes on the menu. The room is small yet isn’t cloistered, plenty of space between tables. Parking was ample on a Saturday afternoon but it’s a small lot.
We tried the egg rolls as suggested to us, they were ok but not superlative, say ³⁄₅. The fried plantains were more impressive ⁴⁄₅. The Phở was a ²⁄₅ but it wasn’t suggested. The Cambodian soup was recommended I like it but just a ³⁄₅. The Cube Steak salad was just a ²⁄₅ the meat was slightly vulcanized. The curry goat was a 4/​5, spicy and hearty. In a more competitive market I fear STE might not be so popular. Still I would go back the menu is extensive.
* Cambodian tea was excellent.
* Soc Trang Express would not make it in Allston.
* Phở noodles were cut up (too short)?
* Fried plantains were a crowd pleaser.
* Curried goat was my fav.
* Lot parking shared with other businesses.

About an 8 minute drive from the Worcester Union Station with parking shared by the plaza. Despite the lot’s worn outer appearance, inside this restaurant is a very friendly atmosphere: toy cars for toddlers in a small playing area, two tv screens for patrons to watch, and a few contemporary art pieces on the wall.
There are several tables available, with one ready for a group of 6+ (and other tables can be arranged as needed). Service may be slow though; they need to have a more efficient system. The menu is well organized, with pictures corresponding to every entrée. The jasmine tea served is very fragrant to have with your meal.
The goat curry (no. 19) does not have a gamey flavour that many dislike. The curry is the perfectly balanced: a rich, flavourful texture without being too runny.
The seafood phở (no. 7) is a very interesting experience and great if you love fresh fish, fish sauce, and a strong broth. My boyfriend loved this one and I loved the curry but they’re both very contrasting dishes.
Tip: a coconut shake complements curries well (as it’s a refreshing and not too sweet beverage).

I stopped in with the intention of getting take-​out after reading all the amazing Unilocal reviews.
I ended up eating there and it was incredible. This is the best Vietnamese food I’ve ever had. I ordered the Cambodian flat noodles (Meekathang) and an avocado shake.
I must go back to try other dishes! My friend ordered a turbo iced coffee and it was also amazing. If this were in the vicinity of where I work, I would be here 2−3x a week for that alone.
The owners were extremely helpful and friendly.

Soc Trang Express is a hidden little gem! Delicious food from a great family business that will charm you. I found Soc Trang when I was looking on Unilocal for some Hu Tieu soup since I’ve been on a phở and SE Asian soup kick. Their Hu Tieu is delicious and satisfying. Very meaty, with plenty of fish and meat balls and cakes and offal. Outstanding! They even have legitimately hot bird chilies to add if you like the heat.
Also, like everyone else is raving about, the Drunken Goat is really that good. It is a slow cooked tender goat that is not at all gamey. Very rich and flavorful served in a coconut milk and five spice stew/​curry with the perfect crusty Vietnamese bread to dip into and soak it all up.
Stop in and try some of these excellent dishes. Like I said, Soc Trang Express is a hidden gem of a restaurant.

It has taken me quite awhile to write this review for some time, despite I’ve visited this place so often. There is just so much to say!
This place is truly a hidden gem (a bit of a hole in the way they call it but I call it cute!)
I first discovered this place when it first opened and I’m glad I did. So far, I love EVERY single dish I’ve tried! I highly recommend the egg rolls, they give you a good amount for the price and they don’t skimp! It’s almost as good as my mom’s and my mom makes the best (in my opinion) + this is the only place I will get eggs rolls.
My boyfriend and I, now since we’re in college we miss this place and try to come when we’re home visiting or on break. Since it is so good! The owner (he goes by PT) and his wife are very friendly and are willingly to help you with anything, and if you ever have a question about a dish or need a recommendation, they’re happily to answer it. So don’t be scared to ask, ask away!
Although this place may take a while to prepare the food, it’s worth the wait because everything is homemade. Aside from my recommendation of the egg rolls, these are other dishes I recommend:
— wonton soup
— spring rolls
— strawberry shake
— pineapple fried rice + shaking beef (served in a pineapple!)
— banh canh (Vietnamese udon noodles)
— meekathang (Cambodian flat noodles)
— chicken porridge (THE BEST IN THE AREA)
— durian shake (Also, the best in the area but you’ve got to be adventurous to try this)
— Shaved ice! (Cream soda is my favorite)
One thing to know about the soups is that all the broths are carefully made so you can really taste the flavor and time it has gone through.
Lastly, this seems to be one of the Vietnamese restaurants that is opened early in the morning and late at night + they deliver! What’s not to love?
This place may scare you by where it’s located but it’s worth stopping by, and you won’t be disappointed by the reasonable prices, friendly owners, and fresh food.
Oh, did I forgot to mention that this is my favorite place in the area to get Vietnamese food!

Soc Trang would be impossible to find without Unilocal.I’ve driven past this strip mall many times and didn’t realize there was a Vietnamese restaurant here. My mistake. It’s excellent. We had a plate of egg rolls which I would have to rank among the best I’ve had. For dinner, there was Cambodian noodle soup and some kind of won ton soup whose name escapes me. Both were loaded with various pork and seafood products and the broth itself was bursting with flavor. Big fan of the fresh chilies that come with the soups. The only part I wasn’t a huge fan of in mine was the fish liver.
The man I assume is the owner couldn’t have been more attentive and helpful in explaining the menu. I’ll be back for the goat.

this was such a fantastic deviation from our usual trip along the Pike. super friendly staff. one told us she’s ethnic Cambodian from Vietnam, explaining the mixed dishes, like bo luk lac (one of those dishes claimed for both Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisines). we found this place initially with a Unilocal search for ‘fish soup’ so the super friendly waitress offered to swap out the pork parts for fish parts. loved it. wife got the delicious goat in curry. will be back.