A method of manufacturing a semiconductor optical device of this disclosure includes the steps of forming an etch stop layer on an InP growth substrate, the etch stop layer having a thickness of 100 nm or less; and forming a semiconductor laminate on the etch stop layer by stacking a plurality of InGaAsP-based III-V group compound semiconductor layers containing at least In and P. Further, an intermediate article of a semiconductor optical device of the present disclosure includes an InP growth substrate; an etch stop layer formed on the InP growth substrate, the etch stop layer having a thickness of 100 nm or less; and a semiconductor laminate formed on the etch stop layer, including a plurality of InGaAsP-based III-V group compound semiconductor layers containing at least In and P stacked one another.