Red Star Restaurant
The mere mention of Red Star Restaurant conjures images of rustic charm and gastronomic heritage, a setting where food stories are spun and savoured with gusto. It was Foodie Barnabas who ushered us into this gastronomic escapade, his eyes alight with the anticipation of savouring the versatile snakehead fish (生鱼). Red Star, he assured us, was the place where this freshwater delight could be had in not one, but three sumptuous ways.
For the uninitiated, the snakehead fish is a marvel, both in the waters and on the plate. At Red Star, the fish is a testament to the restaurant's dedication to freshness and quality, available live at $35 per kilogram. Our chosen specimen tipped the scales over two kilograms, heralding a feast of generous proportions priced around $90, which, if you ask me, is a steal for the experience that awaited us.
The opening act was a delicate dance of snakehead soup (生鱼芥菜汤), swimming with Chinese mustard leaves in a light, creamy broth laced with the warming notes of Hua Diao wine. A sip was enough to warm the soul and set the stage for the culinary symphony to follow.
For the second act, the kitchen showcased their prowess with a stir-fried masterpiece, pairing the delicate fish slices with the earthy crunch of kailan greens (鱼片芥兰).
The grand finale was a dry-style braised bee hoon (鼓汁鱼片焖米粉), a nest of noodles cradling the remaining fish, all enrobed with the complex tang of fermented black bean. The bee hoon absorbed every nuance of the sauce, creating a dish so satisfying that even as we reached the brim of fullness, our chopsticks just could not stop.
Accompanying this trio was the Yu Lan Chicken (玉兰鸡), a Cantonese classic that united tender chicken with the rich, salty notes of ham. It was a nod to tradition, a dish that whispered of the old-school charm that Red Star exudes.
Even four hearty appetites could not conquer the generous portions laid before us, resulting in takeaway boxes that promised the delight of a reprise at home. The flavours, remarkably resilient, lost none of their vibrancy upon reheating, a testament to the quality of the fare.
Our lunch at Red Star was a journey back in time, a culinary escapade that married the nostalgia of the past with the thrill of the present. It was, without a shadow of a doubt, a meal that offered excellent value for money, leaving us not just satisfied but rich with stories to tell.
Red Star Restaurant
54 Chin Swee Road
#07-23
Singapore 160054
Opens Daily:
8:30am - 3:00pm
6:00pm - 10:00pm
