Address: Blk 54, Chin Swee Road #07-23, Singaopore 160054
Tel: +65 6532 5266

Our dear friend, MILK, had just returned from China for a short visa run. We hastily gathered the gang for a lunch appointment at the dim sum institution that was Red Star Restaurant.

Located at the top floor of a building housing a carpark, expect staple and simple food. In fact, expect to be overwhelmed by the cacophony of noise once you step into the restaurant. The said noise predominantly emanating from the pint sized but fiesty cantonese waitresses.

The name of Red Star or “Hong Xing” in chinese immediately brings to my mind the various Hong Kong triad shows I have seen. In fact, I had always admired those legendary triad characters protrayed in the shows. Alas, the absence of any actual triads in Singapore, the fact that the police in Singapore will probably outnumber any budding gang that tries to setup shop in Singapore and ultimately my own cowardice means that my dreams of conquering the underworld would just remain that.

However, in true Hong Kong triad fashion, we had a table at the corner of the eatery. It was explained in the movies that having a table in such a location was advantageous as you could keep your back against the wall and thus watch out for any ambushes or sneak attacks.

Back to food. We started off with the tea. What is yum cha without the tea. I was rather puzzled by the way my friends were tapping their fingers on the table as I poured them tea. They enlightened me with a little nugget of information. They were in fact showing their appreciation for my act of pouring the tea with the subtle act of moving their fingers. I would have thought that just saying “thank you” would be a better way of expressing gratitude…to which my ever knowledgeable friends informed me that this custom originated from ancient times when the emperor would be travelling in-cognito and his henchmen would indicate respect to the said emperor at the dining table by tapping their fingers. We live in a strange but fascinating world indeed.

Tea customs aside, this restaurant was old-school. The restaurant still carried the traditional way of serving dim sum. Carts were pushed along by the waitresses. If you see what you like, you holler your order and the waitress will respond back in equal volume.

We did not waste time in filling our tables with food. Dumplings of all kinds. Fried food. Pork ribs. Chicken feet. Octopus. Baos. Everything.

The bill came up to S$121.30 for the eight of us. Truth be told, the food was average. But if you are looking for atmosphere, go to red star. Tell them Ah Oei sent you…