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!

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.

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!

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.

I love this place, mainly for the noodles, but also because it's a fun place to go with friends--lots of food for a small price, cosy atmosphere, friendly waitstaff and huge variety! The Bento boxes are especially good value, but I'd also recommend the dumplings, fried noodles, and egg fried rice (everything VEG, of course). The place is a lot like Wagamama, but not as commercial, much smaller, and a little more down-to-earth. It's great to sit in, but I admit that I was probably one of their most regular take-away customers, along with my roommate. And did I mention that they're VERY quick??? I think Red Star is especially appealing to the student crowds who live on Cowley but it's fun for EVERYONE! If you want the style of Wagamama with a little less hype, then this could be the ideal place for you!

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