Heat recovery steam generator(HRSG) is a principal component of the combined cycle power plant (CCPP) which utilizes the waste energy of the gas turbine exhaust gas. A design of the HRSG is a keypoint to achieve high cycle efficiency with competitive cost. This paper presents a brief review on the design of a HRSG which covers the basic design parameters and their effects on the performance and the investment cost. Finally the concept of the optimum design point is presented according to the selection of a pinch point temperature difference and a steam pressure as an illustrated case.