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Hainan Dining
Plan your Hainan trip? Here we talk about Hainan food and cusine. With the rapid development of Hainan, there are more and more elements with Hainan characteristics appear on the world and cuisine can be represented as one of the Hainan elements.Hainan is rich in food ingredients. The food of Hainan reflects the abundance of seafood in the surrounding waters as well as the rich sources of natural ingredients on-land, many of which grow or roam wild in the lush farmlands and jungles of the interior.Hainan food has its roots in the food of farmers and fishermen, and makes use of simple, healthy ingredients, with the result that its flavours are often lighter and more delicate than those in dishes from neighboring provinces. Watch out for the yellow chilies which are commonly used as a condiment, though, as they are neither light nor delicate.
What to eat in Hainan?
The following famous Hainan dishes are unique to the province and well worth ordering when visiting local restaurants in Hainan. Here lists Hainan Four Famous Cuisine.
No.1: Wenchang Chicken
The precursor of the dish known around the world as Hainan Chicken, this dish comes from the city of Wenchang in the north of Hainan Island.
The chickens used in the dish are raised free-range in the Wenchang area and fed a diet of bran and coconut.Traditionally the bird is boiled in stock and the meat served sliced on the bone. The meat is usually served with several dips and sauces.
This ranks among China's top chicken dishes and is also an island specialty. In Hainan,there is a saying that "No Wenchang chicken, no banquet!" The chicken is fed with banyan seeds and fat until it is nine months old when it is confined in a basket in a quiet location away from light. Ground peanut cake, shredded coconut flesh, caltrop, heated cooked rice and other fattening foods are then fed to the chicken. Due to this diet, white fillets of Wenchang chicken is most renowned serving method although it can also be broiled in coconut milk or barbequed. The white fillet processing method and seasonings both have unique characteristics. Wenchang chicken has thin yellow skin, tender white meat and very few soft bones.
No.2: Hele Crab
Hele Crab originating from the town of Hele, near Wanning, where the locally-reared crabs have a rich, oily meat, they are usually steamed and served with ginger and a garlic and vinegar sauce.
No.3: Jaiji Duck
The ducks used in this dish are traditionally raised in the Qionghai area on a diet of bran and tofu. They can be served steamed, boiled or roasted.
No.4: Dongshan Lamb
The meat in this dish is actually not lamb but goat, sourced from livestock reared at
Dongshan Ridge near Wanning. The meat is usually roasted or braised in coconut milk
More local snacks in Hainan
Among the wide variety of cuisines and unique local specialities on offer in Hainan, the humble bowl of rice noodles is probably the most commonly seen and easily enjoyed. Hainan is well known for its rice noodles, it is a common sight to see street stands and small eateries where a delicious bowl of noodles can be picked up for just a few yuan.
Hainan Noodles
There are many local variations of this basic dish – the four most well known are Baoluo Rice Noodles (抱罗粉), Hainan Rice Noodles (海南粉), Hou’an Rice Noodles (后安粉), Gangmen Rice Noodles (港门粉) and Lingshui Sour Rice Noodles (陵水酸粉).
Baoluo Rice Noodles are named after Baoluo town in Wenchang city, and are similar to Hainan Rice Noodles. Simmered with pork or beef bones, salt, and MSG, the overall flavor is somewhat sour and spicy. Popular with locals, this dish is inexpensive, tasty, and filling.
Hainan Sea Food
Hainan cuisine is light and fresh, with plenty of fruit, seafood, and noodles! The freshness and quality of the ingredients is showcased here, so there is no need for much processing or seasoning. The original flavors are enhanced with simple sauces and dips, like the popular calamansi citrus fruit dipping sauce! There’s plenty of variety here, and seafood, vegetable and fruit lovers will be in heaven.
Dongshan Mutton
Dongshan Mutton is one of the four specialties of Hainan Province! Dongshan goats are raised free range on the slopes of Dongshan, or East Mountain, in Wanning city. They get plenty of fresh air and exercise, making their meat healthy and flavorful. Dongshan mutton is excellent whether braised, stir-fried, or added to soup.
Qingbuliang Seet Soup
Qingbuliang is a cool refreshing sweet dessert soup commonly sold from small carts on blisteringly hot Hainanese evenings. Common ingredients include dates, mung beans, barley, taro, watermelon, quail eggs, and nuts, but you can choose which you want, with a cold coconut milk or sweet syrup base.