Red Star Restaurant image

Red Star Restaurant

Restaurant Chinese restaurant Dim sum restaurant Cantonese restaurant

One of the Most Reviewed Chinese restaurants in Singapore


Address

54 Chin Swee Rd, #07-23, Singapore 160054

Contact

+65 6532 5266

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

3.70 (3.5K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 8:30 am to 3 pm, 6 to 10 pm
  • Saturday: 8 am to 3 pm, 6 to 10 pm
  • Sunday: 8 am to 3 pm, 6 to 10 pm
  • Monday: 8:30 am to 3 pm, 6 to 10 pm
  • Tuesday: 8:30 am to 3 pm, 6 to 10 pm
  • Wednesday: 8:30 am to 3 pm, 6 to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 8:30 am to 3 pm, 6 to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (25) restaurant (21) table (18) time (17) push (16) service (14) cart (12) years (12) taste (11) staff (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 3/5 Allen L. 1 year ago on Google
    The environment of the restaurant was great and classic as what a traditionally pushcart for the dim sum from table to table. However the foods here are just kinda normal. Do not put on high expectation of the taste but okay for the environment to experience. The prices here also kinda higher than other restaurants. Just a personals opinion. Whoever haven’t try it, should give a try once at least. Thanks.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Jessica L. 1 year ago on Google
    Food quality is just so-so. Service is really terrible. The waiter asked us to sit at a table that has not been set yet. Shortly after, he came over to lay the table cloth before going to take the bowls and utensils. One of the bowl dipped into the saucer with chilli sauce, so he took the bowl, used the table cloth to wipe it and placed it in front of husband. Manpower shortage, so be prepared to self service because it is really hard to get the attention of an available staff. If you want to top up tea, its faster to bring the pot to top up the hot water yourself. The dim sum carts are supposed to go table to table to ask if we wanted anything from their cart. But the food was really slow to come out from kitchen. We sat there for a good 30 minutes waiting but not much came out. So when it finally came, all the hungry tables went to queue at the cart instead. Unless you are looking for nostalgia, otherwise I'd say give this place a miss. There are other dim sum places with better food and service that doesn't leave you feeling like a desperate patron.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Brendan 1 year ago on Google
    Pushcart dim sum. It gets crowded on weekends even at 11am, but space is big and turnover is fast so wait time not too long. The food in general is good, with servers pushing them around regularly. You might not see the whole menu of food during your time, but have a good selection. In general everything is nice, especially the sugar cane prawn and soft shell crab. Dim sum is good, although I would skip the Cheong fun. Solid selection, decent prices.
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Choon T. 1 year ago on Google
    The place was crowded during lunch on a Saturday. Fortunately, didn't need to wait too long before getting a seat. The food was decent and the price was certainly reasonable. What made the place unique is that they are still serving dim sum using the push cart. Hope they will continue to serve the tradition for the next generation!
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Yuchen L. 2 years ago on Google
    I miss the old style dim sum with push carts, and this place does it very well. There's a wide selection of options delivered to your table, and you can also order ducks in the back. Everything was lovely, especially the prawn fried wontons (crispy outside, tender inside). It's located on the top floor of an HDB building - easy to miss if you aren't looking carefully
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 CW K. 5 months ago on Google • 235 reviews
    Very retro and traditional Chinese restaurant. Used to be headed by one of the 4 Heavenly Kings in Chinese culinary scenes in the 70s and 80s. Has an old school vibe for dim sums with push carts.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Marcus A. 7 months ago on Google • 213 reviews
    traditional style dim sum, items were individually well made and intricate. however, the serving size and taste doesn't quite reflect price paid. staff will be coming over with push carts and whatever is stocked is available, service was prompt and staff came by frequent to check for additional orders too. overall a pleasant experience
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Chye Huat L. 1 year ago on Google
    Probably the only old school dim sum restaurant left in Singapore which still serve dimsum in traditional push carts, this place eludes the oldies kind of vibe and ambience. Usually very crowded during weekends, you will need to come early to avoid the potential snaking queue along the staircase. The quality of dimsum are not the best you can have, I’ll sure you can find better ones easily elsewhere. However, their quality have been quite consistent throughout the years. I feel the egg tart, banana prawn roll, char siew pastry are the nicer ones, the rest are just so so. Come here to experience the unique ambience for yourself, however don’t expect too much food wise!
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 M S. 1 year ago on Google
    Very rude Vietnamese waiter kept talking to other his Vietnamese customers instead of serving other customers. He just showed us to the table and walked off. No card given (stamping for food), don’t even bother to ask whether we want drinks. Honestly the food is not that fantastic. The standard of food here is getting worse. Came here many times before. I think the roast pork is still pretty good (based on what I had today). Crispy skin and meat is not that dry. Fried yam(with minced meat) is a tad sweet for me. Salted lava bun is is good.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Xavier G. 3 months ago on Google • 173 reviews New
    I came 25 years ago, that is now my 3rd time here. Frozen in time.....the chicken feet are melting...we are here for breakfast at 0830 (opening). Some longtime customers are already waiting. Dim sum services start around 0845 and slowly the carts start to roll by the tables, then you can pick your fav dish. We get a bit of crispy pork, a few things with shrimps, pork meat, dumplings. Still the tastiest for me is the chicken feet. Amazing that they have been around for 50 years. That say something about the quality of their food. I'll come back in 10 years time .
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Daryl Bay (Ah B. 4 months ago on Google • 177 reviews
    Food is good. Old school cantonese style. Push carts goin around asking if we want the dishes. They would then pass it to us, and chop it on our sheets. Back for 2nd time. This round in the evening. Pity as I wanted to get dim sum. Guys please take note evening only tze char.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elden T. 6 months ago on Google • 123 reviews
    A great choice for family gathering especially for events with bigger groups. High quality food with an atmosphere that takes you back 20 years. Definitely a fitting place to enjoy a tasty traditional meal.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Tommy L. 5 months ago on Google • 118 reviews
    Visited on Sunday about 11am, still crowded but tables are available. Assigned to corner close to entrance, the dim sum aunties don't come to pur corner often, most of the time they circle at the middle area. So I went to pick up my 2nd round dim sum myself after 20mins of waiting (prior to this we were served with other dim sum already) Food is great, i recommend yall to try their "HA GAO" and "XIU MAI". Egg tart has a rich butter taste which is not so common from the udual egg tart, acceptable but dont find it great. Payment with C.card is possible :)
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 TC C. 1 year ago on Google
    Could be the only pushcart dim sum in SG. the taste is quite different from those new and modern dim sum. spacious restaurant and one of a kind experience. pricing is slightly on the higher side.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Beck W. 5 months ago on Google • 86 reviews
    Heard of this restaurant more than decades ago, just got the chance to try now They are serving dim sum with push cart, I guess only one in sg The atmosphere give me hk feel, including their services.... Dim sum slightly higher than average, the price a bit pricey for me? I didnt take picture for desserts as they didnt look good, but must try their dessert, their dessert is good for me, better than their dim sum! Worth to try and experience hk style dim sum restaurant
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 阿宝 1 year ago on Google
    It has been more than more than 20 years since I last visited this place… Red Star Restaurant that has already been around for 50 years+ 🤭 The staff are mostly elderly but they work super efficiently! Right after we sat down, a few elderly already stood by us with their “push cart” ready to serve all the yummy dim sums :-) It is probably due to post Covid 19 & war inflation impact…. Their food are no longer as cheap as before but still it is worth eating there at least once :-)
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Xeraphium 4 months ago on Google
    I've been eating here alot espcially when we are younger with my family. Overall, it is a good place to eat due to the nostalgia of push carts and good service. Food can be pricey about $20-30 per person, only a good place to dine if there a celebration for family or friends, since some coffeeshop and hawker can sell cheaper dim sum that is tasty as well. Do note that their chicken feet are a little spicy,but they taste amazing. Their xiao long bao doesn't have soup? If I'm not wrong, originally, xiao long bao not supposed to have soup to begin with? their xiao long bao have a slice carrot below, which doesn't make it stick to the paper.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Erannee G. 6 months ago on Google
    Service was too fast. We were brought to the table and didn’t even get a chance to sit down and I was asked by 2 or 3 trolley waitresses if I want this or that. One of the ladies wrote a “happy birthday” note after seeing the longevity buns at our table. That was really nice of her. The dim sum was good.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 D L. 9 months ago on Google
    Went there at 12pm on a Sat, not too crowded and got a seat immediately. No reservations but no need for everyone in the group to arrive too. Old school authentic atmosphere. Food is decent too and the standard dim sum are usually of standard. Not all the carts travel everywhere, so may still need to go and find the carts selling the dim sum u want.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jeremy Hellven C. 1 year ago on Google
    This is definitely an old school place. According to my parents, the place was exactly the same, bringing back the good old memories for people of the older generation. Service was lovely. All the aunties and uncle are down to earth providing the best recommendations during dinner so you won't over order. Duck and all the food was pretty decent. Portion is not the biggest, but it definitely still has the old-school banquet taste. Do note that they do not service dim sum in the evening.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 1991 Plastic B. 1 year ago on Google
    Been going to this cozy hideout for number of years with my mum and dad. This place takes social eating to another level. Be prepared for sociable experience - from ordering, getting the food, getting the tea, etc. This place also has a hidden food menu, so make full use of it. It is missing 2 stars because I feel this place can be better. It feels like an old lady who still can cook but forgot her purpose in life. Your eyes will become small when you see the price. Don’t narrow your budget too much when eating here
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Nancy Chew C. 4 months ago on Google • 32 reviews
    Time travel back to the 70's. Old School push cart Dim sum. 1st visit to this plc. No Q when arrived about 1130am on sunday. Most of the food as stated on the menu card cannot be find in the push cart. Food is average and price a bit on the high side. If you like the embeience push cart dim sum then is a place to visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Vanessa T. 1 month ago on Google • 63 reviews New
    Was here on for dinner on Sunday, and for ease of ordering, we just went with the set option. And because it's around CNY period, they had the CNY menu which essentially is just the appetiser course changed to Yu Sheng. Total 8 courses for 788++. I'm no restaurateur, but the price difference between each menu level doesnt make sense. For example comparing 500 & 688 menu differs in a fish. Even if you order fish ala carte, it costs max 78++. So make it make sense that the price difference in the menu is 188++. Anyways... take home message is, ordering ala carte does not cost you more and you get to pick what you actually would like to eat. Now onto the food. It's authentic cantonese, but lacked flavour oomph. Everything was on the lighter side, which is suitable for the elderly crowd hence healthier food? But don't expect to be wowed. At least for the items that we had. > Yu Sheng was nice, well balanced, came with abalone instead if sliced fish. Waitress was unenthusiastic when saying the blessings. > Sharks fin soup, each given a small bowl (even smaller than wedding dinner bowl size). Came with fin, not sure if shark, but would rather they not serve shark. > Steamed chicken was tender, soft and not tough. Flavour lacking, ham maybe 2 picnic ham squares worth. > Steamed fish. Fresh but flavour also lacking. No typical fragrance expected of Cantonese steamed fish. > Prawns. Muscular, thick shell. Probably even thicker than the red prawns you get at hotel buffets. Don't expect alcohol in the sauce. Sauce in gener is okay. > Abalone, mushroom & spinach. I think some hotels do it better. Lacked typical flavour. > Ee fu noodles. Also lacked typical flavour. I think some hotels do it better. No wok hey. > Dessert. Not sweet. The soup even had a tinge of bitterness at the end. Service. If you are looking for authentic cantonese service. This the the place. Cos they are so busy, don't expect your waters and teas to be filled intuitively. U will need to catch their attention multiple times before you get what you need. My family has dined here for decades, and it really is more for the nostalgia than mind blowing taste. It is still very packed with both sat and sun nights full house. So come here with a strategy: order things you would've like to eat, don't go for the set meal. Expect a healthier taste palette. Expect lesser service (aka typical canto service).

  • 3/5 Sean C. 8 months ago on Google
    It’s an old school push cart dim sum. Went on weekday, there is no crowd. Maybe because of no crowd, most of the fried food is not hot or a bit soggy, quite disappointed. Staff are friendly and attentive. The dim sum to me it’s just taste average, nothing wow.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Em B. 9 months ago on Google
    Great, authentic, old style dim sum with trolley service. The food was lovely and all staff doing extra to help. Would love to come again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 WA L. 5 months ago on Google
    An old school dim sum place where dim sum are served on push carts. The dim sum tastes good, and the waiters were friendly as well. Service could be a little slow when the restaurant gets crowded, we had to refill hot water to our tea by ourselves as no waiters are available. Prices are on the high side. Overall, a pleasant visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Alan T. 1 year ago on Google
    One of our family’s public holiday’s rituals - Breakfast at RED STAR Restaurant. We’re back there as a family after more than 2 years (COVID restrictions). The younger ones had to be exposed to this tradition of “breakfast fun” at Red Star. I cannot say the dim sum here is superb but it’s more nostalgia that we visit Red Star periodically. And I think we are not the only family. Just see the long queue waiting to go into the restaurant at 8:15am. Mind you, restaurant opens at 7:30am. The oldest folk would wash the tea cups first (and that’s me!) - this was how it was done in the days of 大东 and 南堂, the old Teahouse of yesteryears, when my late father brought my siblings and I. And then we would wait for the Dim Sum Carts to be pushed to us for our selections. BUT at Red Star, if you wait for the push cart, you probably got to wait very long, or never get what you want. The restaurant is quite big. That also the reason why we always try to get table just outside the kitchen.😂 Regular visitors would rush to the dim sum trollies to grab their selections instead of waiting at their tables. The dim sum trolley aunties (mostly long time employees) often commented that diners rushed for the dim sum as if they were free! They laughed out that it’s stressful for them really. Some people might say that it’s ridiculous to have to rush to get their dim sum but I supposed most people treated that as another “fun experience” at Red Star. To qualify, this situation doesn’t happen on ordinary days (week day or week ends) - happens only during Public Holidays. Apparently, bigger range of Dim Sum is served during Public Holidays. Well, we enjoyed the Siew Mai, Har Gau, Char Siew Pau, Wu Kok, Ham Sui Kok, San Chau Lor Mai Fan, Yong Lat Jui, steamed pork ribs, Fung Jau, Heung Jui Tung, and so on. In the past, when we arrived restaurant at 8:15am, we could get a table without waiting. Today, we had to queue. Actually, there were empty tables but because employees started to stream in around 8am, there’s insufficient staff to lead diners to their table and to “open” table (issuance of dim sum card and serving of tea - without the yellow card, one can’t get the food). When we left at about 10:10am, the queue had “snaked” two floors down and into the car park. 😱😱😱First time we saw this situation.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Sylvia C. 4 months ago on Google
    Not sure if it was Sunday afternoon or too overwhelmed for staffs. This is the first time I had visited this restaurant and at last only got 3 types of dimsum (烧卖、明虾角、腐皮卷) and 1 small plate of 叉烧烧肉 and there's no 叉烧包、叉烧酥or even fried wanton. No staff serving with their trolley to our table area and at last we are go with another table's customer to find the trolley and get the dim sum ourselves. This restaurant even charged for service charge. Not so worth and not really value for money. 2 pax go for $43.60 for 3 types of dimsum+ 1small plate of 叉烧烧肉 and tea.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lynn S. 1 month ago on Google • 41 reviews New
    Old school dim sum place where they still serve dim sum from push cart. Some of items already cold after making it's rounds. One of the old aunty waitress offered to heat up the Yong tau foo saying nicer to eat hot. So nice of her. Overall nostalgic feel that reminds me of those Chinese dinner from the 1980-90s.

  • 4/5 Patrick L. 7 months ago on Google
    Last time we were here was years ago before covid and we swore never to come back cos the food quality just got so bad and service was non existent Today, we had no choice cos it was raining heavily and there was no where else which open so early for dimsum And we are so glad we are back! The food quality has improved, old auntie waitresses are chatty and responsive and plenty of tables to choose! Where else can you get roast suckling pig at 8 am in Singapore! And we will be back! Hopefully, the consistency stays!

  • 4/5 Tan Chung H. 6 months ago on Google
    Really great price. $38 for a full duck. Old school atmosphere and classic zichar. Some dishes were under salted and the fried bitter gourd was a little undercooked but given the price, I think can’t complain too much.

  • 4/5 #Wanderluster 7 months ago on Google
    First time here because the queue’s always crazy when I attempt to try it. Surprisingly there was no queue on a Sunday around noon on 27 Aug. We ordered a few dim sums and all were pretty good. I like that they kept to the old tradition of serving dim sums from the trolleys which adds to the overall dining experience. Some of the staff (aunties) seem quite grumpy and impatient but they were still alright. Not the best dim sum in Singapore to be honest but coupled with the reasonable prices, the experience, the ability to serve large groups I’m not surprised if they have many regulars returning. Worth a try. Oh and make sure you are going up the right lift. A family and I went up by the wrong lift and we somehow ended up at their shuttered back door.

  • 5/5 Jonathan G. 10 months ago on Google
    Not the first time here but still filled with nostalgia the moment I step into the restaurant. The setting is very much like what you would find in an 80’s drama. Huge banquet like setting with a stage for performers. Came for dinner the time and despite some miscommunication causing delay in the food being served, the end result is still good. Service is good enough for me and sincere. Do note that they are understaffed but the aunties and bosses do their best to serve. Don’t expect restaurant level service and temper your expectations to more of coffee shop service with good air con and nice people. Had 5 items, sweet and sour pork, crab egg omelet, Kai lan, seafood fried rice and crispy skin chicken. Everything was good quality and tasted great. The fried rice is a standout. For $14, the portion size is good enough for 6 people to eat with 1 refill for 3 people. There are lots of prawns and squid. Rice is fragrant. IMHO, this is better then other branded fried rice out there for a higher price and serving only 1 person. Absolute value for money. I hope they will continue to be in business and continue to show how SG food used to be. Actual good and generous food, not the pretentious and expensive Instagram food culture we have now. Recommended.

  • 3/5 dEtRoiX 8. 9 months ago on Google
    Very old school, traditional dim sum place tts apparently super crowded during weekends but weekdays is chill. During weekdays the aunties have time to serve us with the food trolleys and we were eating in less than a min when we reached the place. The dim sum dishes are good in general but don’t get the char siew as it’s v lean and normal tasting . Tried the dessert but the best is gui ling Gao cuz it has this burnt incense taste tt really made it truly unique. It is v nice. Service is so so cuz when we were getting food they were friendly but when we stopped taking the lady looks unhappy . Price is steep since we ate up to 50 per pax…

  • 5/5 Tessa L. 9 months ago on Google
    When you enter it makes you feel like you're back in the oldies. Those retro vintage feel with the staff pushing around the push cart. The dim sum was good. When in around 9am and there is one 1 couple in the queue. The fried prawn dumplings and egg tart is a must to try! Will be back again.

  • 5/5 frank m. 3 months ago on Google New
    Decided to come over for dinner on a Monday night..place was very quiet, few group diners, mostly families. Wife and I ordered their 咕咾肉 (sweet and sour pork),南乳生菜 (lettuce with fermented beancurd),扬州炒饭 (Yangzhou fried rice). Really enjoyed every dish, especially the fried rice, texture and flavour was really amazing, with that wok hay fragrance embedded in every bite. Just hope this amazing restaurant continues to survive and those flavours last. Definitely a must try!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  • 4/5 Jolynn S. 9 months ago on Google
    4 of us arrived at the restaurant around 9.10am on a Sat morning. There was a usual weekend morning crowd (as no reservation is accepted for weekends 😂). Regardless, we were directed to a table for 4 as soon as we walked in. We had Pu-er tea and 2 bowls of Century Egg with Minced Pork Porridge for a start. The porridge tasted 👍😋 Surprisingly, the octopus (bit sweet + spicy) tasted yummy too! The Liu Sha Bao's "Sha" really "Liu" out lor as you can see from the video I shared🤣 Both the Beancurd Skin w Prawns Fritters and Mango Crabstick Salad Fritters were yummy!🤤 The broth of the dumpling soup was another pleasant surprise 😍😋 Except for the Vinegar Pig's Trotters, which we find that the vinegar taste can be stronger, the rest of our selections were passable 😁😁👍👍 Overheard from 1 of the staff that the restaurant owner is 90 years old already.... really hope that the 2nd or 3rd generation can continue running the business for more years to go so that we are still able to enjoy dining in a vintage environment restaurant 🙏

  • 5/5 Bryan F. 9 months ago on Google
    A very classic setting of a hongkong dim sum restaurant. They serve dim sums in their pushcarts, going around the restaurant bringing hot piping food. Not the first time and will not be the last. Although 1 small downside is facing waits if it gets crowded, otherwise everything else is quite good. Service staff talks fast as they have many other people to serve too so sometimes they are misunderstood as being rude. Really enjoys the dim sum here.

  • 1/5 AMILIES W. 1 month ago on Google • 1 review New
    If you are being allocated a table near to the entrance area, best to reject it cos their dim sum trolley won’t come to you. Most of the time you have to go to the trolley yourself and pick your own food. So I don’t think they should have service charge. Price wise is on the steeper side with a bowl of not so hot century egg porridge costing $5.70. Price of the food doesn’t match up with the quality.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍


Call +65 6532 5266 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Small plates
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway

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