Feature Report More than just Hainan Chicken
More than just Hainan Chicken
Alongside its more celebrated commodities of beaches, rainforest and year-round sunshine, Hainan's cuisine provides a unique intrigue to an island that differs so much from the Mainland.
For some 2,000 years, the Hainanese people have spared no effort to learn from the culinary arts from Central China, Fujian, Guangdong, Southeast Asia and Miao and Li ethnic minorities, thus forming a local cuisine style with distinct characteristics.
The two ingredients that define a Hainan dish are freshness and flavour. While its style of cuisine may not be as varied and sophisticated as some of China's other regions, the freshness of the island's ingredients has propelled Hainan's dishes to worldwide popularity. Seafood is abundant on the island and its freshness is guaranteed by Hainan's location, off the coast of the Mainland, surrounded by the pollutant free waters of the South-China Sea. Fresh local tuna, lobster, scallops, prawns, oysters and multiple varieties of fish are all regularly on Hainan's menus.
Providing this constant supply of fresh seafood are the two huge fisheries located on the island's coast – the Beibuwan Fishery and the South China Sea Fishery. Abalone, sea cucumber and other exotic seafood are also common dishes served, and a visit to the port area in the city centre is a testament to the incredible wealth and freshness of the food on the island.
Next to fresh seafood, organically grown fruit and vegetables are a popular drawcard, and their natural flavours are guaranteed by the fact that local farmers are unable to afford fertilisers and pesticides. Another testament to Hainan's freshness is its chicken, prepared in a unique style that has gained universal acclaim. Sampling Hainan chicken on the island itself provides for a culinary experience that is defined by quality ingredients. The local chickens on Hainan are bred in free-range environments and fed on a diet of coconut, peanuts and rice bran, all contributing to their distinct flavour and texture. The birds are poached and steeped in water spiked with aromatics, whacked into small pieces and served with a minced ginger and garlic sauce.
While Hainan brings the best of tropical landscape and sun-drenched coastline to the Australian tourist, its distinctive, fresh cuisine poses as one of the island's most popular drawcards, something that will guarantee visitors return to the islands for years to come.
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