🇨🇦 Let’s talk about my favorite Chinese restaurant in Waterloo

Hello everyone! I know I’ve ranted a lot about Chinese food in Waterloo before 😅, but let me tell you—there are hidden gems! Like Master Yin’s dumplings and clay pots I raved about earlier… and today, I’m finally spilling the tea on a spot I’ve been obsessed with since high school: Next Door Lao Wang 🏮, a fantastic Hunan cuisine joint! Why haven’t I talked about it sooner? No clue—life just got in the way! But trust me, it’s worth the wait. Let’s dive into the dishes in the pics 📸—there’s so much to love, but here are my must-tries: Oil-splashed noodles 🍜 (so fragrant, my mouth waters just thinking about it!) Cold spicy beef 🥩 (numbs your lips in the best way 🌶️) Spicy beef hot pot 🥘 (perfect for chilly days!) Scrambled eggs with tomatoes 🍳🍅 (homestyle comfort in a bowl) Braised pork rice 🍚 (tender, glossy, addictive) Stir-fried chicken gizzards with sour long beans 🐔 (sour-spicy magic!) Spicy braised pork belly 🐷 (melts like butter, so flavorful) Chive boxes 🥟 and pork & cabbage buns 🥢 (crunchy outside, juicy inside!) Shredded pork with pickled mustard greens 🥬 (the ultimate rice thief!) The restaurant is run by the sweetest middle-aged couple 👫—every time I walk in, they greet me with the warmest smiles, like I’m family ❤️. The place isn’t huge, but the menu is massive—it’s like a treasure hunt, picking random dishes and getting happily surprised every time! When it’s not busy, you can hear the wok hei (that iconic stir-fry sizzle) from the kitchen 👩🍳👨🍳, and outside, the trees sway gently in the wind 🍃. The uncle (owner) even chats with me sometimes—super cozy, like eating at a relative’s house 😊. Okay, let’s get real: their food is authentic and delicious. Ingredients are fresh, flavors are bold—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty… all the good stuff that makes Hunan food shine ✨. Eating here feels like a warm hug 🤗. After an early class, grabbing a hot meal here? It’s like boarding a time machine back to my hometown 🚂—sitting in a tiny local eatery, savoring breakfast, listening to the buzz of daily life… pure comfort. If you’re in Waterloo, do yourself a favor and check it out! Trust me, your taste buds will thank you 🙏 P.S. No address needed if you’re local—you’ll spot it once you’re in the area! 😉 #WaterlooFood #WaterlooLife