Cravings, which is owned by the Zhu family, has been serving the University community for over 20 years. Located at 603 S. Wright St. in Champaign, Cravings is known for its Chinese food, specifically for one of its most popular dishes, Jakarta Fried Rice.

“Jakarta fried rice’s most important element is the Indonesian soy sauce but also the other elements, like the egg, shrimp and chicken, are what make it so good,” said Cravings employee Chi Sze Tho, who has worked at the restaurant for seven years.

This dish is stir-fried rice that includes shrimp and chicken, with its signature ingredient of a fried egg on top of the rice. The Indonesian soy sauce adds extra flavor that sets it apart from all other types of rice. 

Cravings offers a variety of dishes from all over Asia, including China, Malaysia, Thailand and India. Sze Tho said Cravings can be distinguished from other Asian restaurants in Champaign-Urbana for a variety of reasons. 

“We are popular because the food is good, but also because we have a huge portion for a small price,” Sze Tho said. “But most importantly, I think our front desk is really good, we are good to everyone.”

Taylor Petersen, sophomore in DGS, agrees. One of the reasons she gets Cravings at least once a week is because she loves the friendly staff, she said. 

“I like Cravings because it’s authentic Chinese food, and because the guy who is always working is the nicest person ever,” Petersen said in reference to Sze Tho.

Petersen’s favorite dish is the Jakarta Fried Rice because she thinks it is unlike any other fried rice she has ever had.

Uzma Ahmad, junior in AHS, is a frequent customer of Cravings as well. 

“I’m craving Cravings so bad right now I can’t think of why I love it so much,” Ahmad said when asked why she enjoys Cravings.

Ahmad said Cravings has great food and service, and she is always satisfied with what she orders on the menu. She orders Jakarta Fried Rice because it is a filling portion that never leaves her hungry.

Both Ahmad and Petersen said that everyone needs to try something on the Craving’s menu at least once while here at the University.

“I go to Cravings every Thursday, and I would definitely recommend it to other people,” Petersen said. 

According to Petersen, the restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere, delicious food and great management. 

“What more could you want?” she said.

Saher can be reached at [email protected].