Shooting Star Cafe

A decent spot for HK-style cravings in the Bay, but lacks authenticity Review Content: Shooting Star Cafe offers a variety of Hong Kong-style dishes that are somewhat hard to find in the Bay Area, but the execution is a bit hit-or-miss. • Clay Pot Rice: The flavor is good, but if you order takeout, don’t expect that signature crispy rice crust (guoba) at the bottom. It loses its texture in the container. • Chicken: The meat was very tender and flavorful, though there were quite a lot of small bone fragments to navigate. • Beef Brisket with Rice Rolls: The taste was acceptable, but the portion of beef was disappointing. • Sweet and Sour Pork: A bit too sweet for my preference; it becomes a little overwhelming after a few bites. • French Toast: Disappointing as it lacked the expected crispiness and fragrant buttery taste. • Coconut Sago: Just average. Summary: It’s a convenient spot that captures the "idea" of Hong Kong cafe food, but it still has a way to go before it feels truly authentic or "grounded." Good for a quick fix, but keep your expectations in check.

This place is really good. The food is delicious and comes out quickly, which I really appreciate. I especially love the desserts here — they’re just perfect. My favorite is the mango gi gi, it’s so refreshing and sweet. The staff are also very kind and attentive. I will definitely come back again.

Shooting Star Café is one of those unique gems where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at any time of the day. I love that flexibility—it’s not often you can walk into a restaurant in the morning and order something like chicken and broccoli for breakfast (yes, I did exactly that, and it hit the spot!). The menu is broad enough to satisfy whatever craving you might have, whether it’s comfort food, a hearty meal, or something lighter. The environment is welcoming and has a fun, modern vibe that makes you want to stay a while. On top of that, the staff was very friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. Shooting Star Café is definitely a place I’d recommend if you’re in Oakland and want a casual spot with great food and great service.

Ordered spicy lemongrass clams and 枸杞猪肝 to go. The BEST type of wrapping for to-go foods! Both our soup and dishes survived two tumble incidents in the car and not one drop spilled. The clams are fresh and the warm flavorful soup just hit the right spot!

Gigantic menu you’re sure to find something you like. They run a special $2.75 for drinks from 10 AM - 6 PM. It’s not the best drink in the area but is open later and have nice staff. Regular drinks are ~ $7.75.