Crave (Marina Bay Link Mall)

CRAVE is a brand that probably doesn’t need much introduction by now — these folks are pretty much the commercialised cousins of Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak at Adam Road Food Centre. Whilst their outlets are typically found within the heartlands, the brand had recently opened a new outlet within the Central Business District. Occupying a space within Marina Bay Link Mall, CRAVE shares its space with KOPIFELLAS there, with both concepts fronting different sides of the space which is located along the aisles of the shopping galleria. CRAVE and KOPIFELLAS takes over the space that was previously occupied by the now-defunct WOLF; both having their own dedicated counters and dining space with the dining space of CRAVE being significantly larger than that of KOPIFELLAS’. The dining area of CRAVE is actually rather spacious; the dining furniture being of a mix of green, yellow, white and wooden accents that gives a visual pop as opposed to the other CRAVE outlets across the island that seems to replicate some sort of a Kampung-like vibe. It does seem that the menu at the outlet of CRAVE in Marina Bay Link Mall does differ from that of the typical CRAVE outlets elsewhere — the menu is being segmented into Breakfast and Lunch, with the Breakfast menu comprising of Mee Series and Bee Hoon series available from 7am to 11am. For Lunch, CRAVE offers their standard Nasi Series, Sambal Seafood Series, Mee Series and Satay and Otah — CRAVE also offers the same lineup of beverages that they typically serve up at their other outlets at Marina Bay Link Mall outlet as well.

One thing that is noted about the outlet of CRAVE at Marina Bay Link Mall against their other existing outlets will be the presentation of the food — gone would be the usage of disposable ware even for dine-in orders; all dine-in orders come in proper dining ware. It does seem that the line-up of their Sambal Seafood Series at Marina Bay Link Mall is newly-introduced — this would comprise of the Sambal Seabass Nasi Lemak, Sambal Squid Nasi Lemak and the Sambal Stingray Nasi Lemak. Our choice was for the Sambal Stingray Nasi Lemak; the Sambal Stingray being served on its own plate by the side and wrapped with banana leaf and aluminium foil where patrons unwrap the packaging by themselves. The plate of coconut-infused rice comes with the sunny side-up, sambal, slices of cucumbers, anchovies and peanuts on the side. CRAVE is probably most notable for its coconut-infused rice which is sufficiently moist and comes with a strong fragrance of coconut milk; the texture of the ride still being sufficiently fluffy without being overly wet. We did feel that it would be lovely if they could do the sunny side-up more neatly however with a flowy egg yolk just like how it is being depicted in the illustrations in the menu. The accompanying sambal that came with the rice does carry that sweet note which is characteristic of Singaporean-style Nasi Lemak, though the sambal chili could be a little less runny in its consistency. The anchovies served up with the Nasi Lemak does come with a crunch; not soft and limp as though they were left outside exposed to the air for too long. The Sambal Stingray that came along for the Sambal Stingray Nasi Lemak does come in quite a thick slab; we did wish that the sambal was a little wetter and the fish could have come a little more moist — the entire composition does feel a little bit on the drier side for those whom would nitpick about sambal stingray in general. With that being said, the sambal used for the sambal stingray does come with a slight different note form that of what accompanied the Nasi Lemak — one that exudes a slight hint of lemongrass that provides for a slight twist of flavours to the sweet sambal. The sambal does carry its kick of spiciness, though this should do just about right for those whom are tolerable to moderate levels of spiciness.

We actually very much enjoyed the Kopi Tarik that we had ordered during our visit to CRAVE at Marina Bay Link Mall — despite being one of the sweeter Kopi offering around the area, we liked how this was sufficiently rich and frothy; quite a “thick” cuppa that came sufficiently caffeinated for the sweetness to turn out pretty balanced overall. CRAVE does seem to be in an era of change; this is after how the establishment seems to have been stagnant for quite a while — whilst that does make the brand seem stable with their offerings generally catering to those whom already know what they are looking for with the brand, there also feels like a lack of creativity and innovation over the years with their fare usually being seemingly “safe”. With the expansion of their menu at their newer outlets such as Marina Bay Link Mall and Changi City Point, it does seem that CRAVE have found a focus in providing halal-certified local Muslim fare to the working class in office areas — increasing the number of halal-certified dining options to provide office workers in these areas to dine at whilst at their workplaces. Prices of their Nasi Series, Sambal Seafood Series and Mee Series dishes ranges from $5.90 to $11.90 — pretty wallet-friendly and in-line with what one would expect to pay for a meal in the Central Business District. Yet another familiar eat that one can go for on those days that ideas on where to dine at aren’t aplenty whilst in the Central Business District.