China Star is in Haymarket, an area in the west of central Edinburgh that’s famed for its largely Edwardian architecture and has been the recent focus of extensive redevelopment. The restaurant’s decor is typical of an Anglo-Chinese establishment, so expect to see a large metallic sign before entering, a compact dining room and lanterns adorning the walls.
Food doesn’t stray far from the classics. Starters include spare ribs, sesame prawn toast, crispy seaweed and prawn crackers. The house special platter is great for sharing or for those who want to sample a range of dishes. Likewise for the crispy duck, which is of course served with shredded leeks, cucumbers and hoisin sauce. Soup is also on offer, available hot and sour or with chicken or wun tun.
Mains options are broad, encompassing chicken, beef, duck, seafood, lamb, tofu and vegetable dishes. Standouts include sweet and sour Cantonese style fish, king prawn with mushrooms in oyster sauce, lemon chicken, crispy chilli beef and spicy stir fried belly pork.
The range of rice and noodles is equally as vast and goes beyond the standard fried or boiled There’s four treasures rice (duck, prawn, mushrooms and asparagus), beef fried rice sticks and king prawn chow mein. Chip shop favourites are also on offer and include fried rice with chips and curry sauce and chips with curry sauce.
China Star operates as a takeaway as well as a dine-in restaurant. Orders are placed online and can be collected or delivered.