This is definitely off the beaten path which is the thing I like most about it. You are finally outside of the tourist trap! The food was good and there are lighted photos on the walls to help guide you if you are unsure as to what to order. Typical waitstaff is brusque but efficient. This is a hole in the wall, greasy joint but authentic food. To come here, you need to already know how to order. Best of luck! read more

Food was good and cheap compare to other places I've been to. The portion was big as well. I shared my noodles. read more

Red Star Noodle Bar - Chicken Noodle - Japanese Near Me - Oxford, OXF

I had great recommendations about this place (albeit a year ago) from an aquaintance of mine and was sorely disappointed that I put my two friends though the experience of eating here. In fact, I am almost unsure whether the other reviewers are at the same place... My chicken katsu was just deplorable. I have had an amazing version at Wagamamas and thought that a more independent restaurant would take it up a notch. However, the curry sauce was confused and tasteless. It was all over my rice which I like neat and on the side, as is customary. I thought that it was perhaps just me being fussy. However, my friend's sweet and sour chicken was worse, with a white-ish goo all over the rice. He couldn't even finish it. The Singapore Mee Fun was notable better but nothing memorable or particularly palatable. All three of us agreed that the gyoza were slightly burnt and almost soggy. The spring rolls were bearable. The food was simple but not in a wholesome way and bland. The only reason I give this place 2 stars rather than one is because I hear the duck is nice here. And the noodle soup the person near me was eating looked fantastic. Go for that if you're not willing to take my word on this place. No doubt the menu prices are cheap, with a drink and a main being 6 pounds. However, the food quality seems even more cheap, unfortunately. read more

In a place as multi cultural as cowley road, there is a fantastic variety of Chinese and oriental food. Therefore giving a stand out review to the red star is truly saying something. This noodle bar has a great atmosphere right in the heart of colwey and if empty seats is a negative indication of quality then the red star is top, as i have never seen it more than 1/5h empty. Specialising in Chinese and South East Asian cuisine, it is easy on the wallet and great for large portions. REVIEW IN ONE LINE: Red star is 4 star read more

This place should not be listed as a Japanese restaurant because it's really not. It's more like general asian cuisine which is usually a red flag in my book but it was close and cheap so we decided to give it a shot. I got the chili vegetable ramen and it was ok but didn't taste quite like what I was expecting. It wasn't the most disappointing ramen I've ever had but this place may be second. The noodles weren't quite right and the flavor wasn't quite right either (I know veggie broth never makes proper ramen but still...). I've heard that some of their other dishes are good so I wouldn't count this place out totally yet but I don't think I'll be ordering the ramen again. read more

We were seriously jonesing for some good Asian cuisine, as we were abroad for a bit. This shop seriously hit the spot, and most of the dishes were pretty darn good. We had super nice servers as well, who were super helpful and knowledgeable of the food! read more

As other reviewers have indicated, this is a mixed bag. Top survival tips: - Try the Chilli Chicken Ramen soup 30 minute challenge. Finish it in 30 minutes and get your photo taken and put in the gallery of fame on the wall. (I think they still do this) - Try going at lunch time and eat for around £5-£7. Everything tastes better when you've paid less for it. - Chicken chow mein - much better than most takeaways. - Egg fried rice - a simple dish but surprisingly tasty here. - Don't expect things to taste the same each time you go. - Don't expect fantastic service from the staff - that way you can only be pleasantly surprised! read more

This place has the BEST asian food that I have been able to find in the UK. Their spicy tofu is to die for. They have a very wide selection of all sorts of dishes, and their vegetables are fresh (not frozen or canned as I have found in other places in England). Their sauces are delicious. The tables are communal. read more

This place is great but it is ALWAYS busy meaning sometimes there is no table or at least you need to wait for one. But this is also a good think as its a sign of being popular! Me and my pals have eaten here time and time again. It is quick and easy. The staff are nice and friendly enough, the place is clean and the food is good. Very authentic. My favourite is sweet and sour and the noodles are to die for. They taste so fresh and eggy. Really good - though perhaps not for a proper sit down meal. read more

Red Star is good for a quick or impromptu meal. Food is cooked to order and is very tasty. Typical oriental interior - with objects on the shelfs next to the tables that leave you with a feeling of why?... The staff are very friendly and prices good. Enjoy! read more

Very very good nasi goreng, cheap and big portion size , and across the road from the venue I was working ! This place has been a 'go to ' restaurant for me every time I visit Oxford read more

The place is all simple stir fries, noodle soups and bento boxes but it doesn't need to be fancy to be good. It is also really cheap, so that helps. So far I have had the Red Star Ramen. It is a soup that has EVERYTHING in it. Egg? Check. Noodles? Check. Squid? Check. Fake crab? Check. I also had the vegetarian soba noodles. This one was good, but it is something I could have made at home. And I also had the honey ginger duck bento box. I recommend the bento boxes for anyone but maybe the chicken katsu bento box would be better. You get meat, rice, spring roll or dumplings and miso soup. Great deal! It's my goal to try everything on the menu by the end of the year! read more

Quick, cheap and cheerful noodle bar with communal tables and big bowls of tasty soup. They had a huge menu, which I can't find online but I appreciated that the staff followed my requests to have rice noodles instead of ramen, and no added onion/garlic. The rice noodles were a bit overcooked and fell apart a little, but the broth tasted nice and they brought the food SO fast. There wasn't a whole lot going on with the ramen, not as much fun stuff added in as I would've liked, but it was a quick, filling meal that hit the spot on a Friday night. Cash only, communal tables, and big, hearty portions for your money. read more

This place does fantastic food, real tasty and quite a range. It also serves Sake which although costly is a must have. The service is not always of the nicest nature but you will always get your food quickly which makes up for it greatly. It is always busy so make sure you go early or during lunch. And make sure you have somewhere to go after as you cant really spend very long here without eating/drinking. All this may put you off but there is a reason the place is always packed. Its cheap and its tasty, and its something new. read more

The food here is a bit hit and miss. My dish last night was definitely a miss I'm afraid (the honey and ginger duck bento from the specials board) but previous visits have been hits! But the food is good value and the service quick, there's a great range of food on the menu. It's always busy so sometimes you have to wait a bit for a table, tho I've never had to wait long. They also do take aways. Not a place to go for a smart proper meal out, but for something quick and cheerful where you're not wanting to have a private conversation (seats are along long tables so you'll most likely be sat right next to strangers) it's good. And if you're not happy with your meal, go again and give it another chance, coz the food can be great! I'll certainly be going back, despite my disappoinment on my last visit. read more

My favourite place to grab weekend lunch and the one thing I miss most about Oxford since moving away. Loving the wall of fame, I was never brave enough to attempt to eat the hottest dish in 30 minutes challenge to get on the wall, but one day I will return. read more

If you're wanting quick, fresh and redolently scented - indeed cheaply priced - Asian food, this place is unbeatable. Great variety, nicely priced and speedy. Obviously not fancy or posh in any way, but quality/price is great: aromatic, innovative and traditional dishes served promptly. read more

I love this place so much I'm so sad I moved away!! My favourite restaurant by far. The service and staff are amazing the food is to die for! I highly highly recommend. read more

if you want a fancy restaurant wiht white linen table coths.. this is not your place.. for eveyrone else.. this canteen style chinese/pan asian restaurant in east oxford is a treat! the food is delicious, fresh and generously portioned! their soup noodles are so comfroting on a cold rainy day.. try the sea spiced aubergine! it's my favorite place to eat in oxford! :D read more

Good, reasonably priced food. We liked everything we had. Food came out fast. Vibrant, casual atmosphere.

I have to disagree with the other reviewers about the service every time I have been there (at both busy and not so busy times) the waitresses have been unfailingly rude! ... The food makes up for that, but friendlier staff would make this place truly great. read more

The Red Star offers nice food for a very reasonable price. The choice of meals is great, and even vegetarians will find the selection satisfying. The interior is rather simple (it's a noodle bar and not a fancy restaurant) and the service is efficient (though not always overly friendly). read more

Reasonably priced and good, quick service. The bento box meal deals are good value and the food is reasonable. It is a standard fast paced, sit next to whoever is there kinda place, but this makes it a relaxed atmosphere, but not somewhere to go for a quiet date! read more

located in cowley road,apparently a popular spot for oxford uni students. red star is located just opposite oxford zodiac.i have to admit this wasn't my first choice and me and my friends were unsure and even walked a few times along the whole stretch before we could decide.in the end it was getting late and we were lucky enough to sit and eat before the restaurant closed. was very quaint and petite,inside it was fairly busy most who were students so i guess it was expected that we were to go here. the table setting reminds me of wagamama's..wooden panelling.anyways whilst looking at the menu the theme was a mix of japanese,chinese and thai food which i thought was a plus because some may end up indecisive. so i opt for the katsu curry just so i can compare to places that i have tried this dish before!along side that i had gyoza dumplings.!i actually was impressed with the food and it was fresh but it did take them a long time to make it but worth the wait.they didn't push us out because of the closing time.the price was quite good value and didn't spend nothing over £10 wahey...would go here again! read more