Most of you had probably read the news recently about the temporary closure of this food court after a picture showing cockroaches running around the chicken rice stall went viral online last week. Eeeeww! Anyway, I just happened to eat here a couple of days before this incident and no, I didn’t order anything from the chicken rice stall (phew!) but from the drinks stall (located on its own at the entrance area) that also served up local delights like nasi lemak, mee siam, etc.
1983 – A Taste of Nanyang is managed by Koufu which also runs Rasapura Masters food court in MBS
I went for their Special Nasi Lemak Promo Set ($8.80) that came with a drink. For food court standards, this is probably not a cheap option for nasi lemak but for MBS standard, this is definitely one of the most affordable meals we could get there. Anyway, by the looks of it, I didn’t think it was that special so I didn’t have much expectations before I tucked in. I was so wrong. The rice was fluffy with a lot of pandan flavour. The fried chicken drumstick was crispy on the outside and so moist and succulent on the inside. Though it was flour battered, it wasn’t thick or greasy. The chilli was like a sambal belachan and was packed with a punch – I just loved the heat. It was a pity the mackerel wasn’t nicely fried to a crisp though the batter or marinate had a good hint of aromatics. The tiny slice of omelette was ordinary too. Overall, I thought this was still a satisfying plate of nasi lemak.
The drink that came with the set was this 3-layered milk tea made of gula melaka, evaporated milk and tea. A good combination that had the right amount of sweetness if you stir the whole thing properly before drinking so you don’t end up with a diabetic concoction when you reach the bottom of the glass.
Worth a return visit.
1983 – A Taste of Nanyang
B1-01, Galleria Level
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Avenue
Singapore 018972
Tel: 6222 9742
Opening hours: 7.00am to 11.00pm daily