Hainan · rice
Hainan Chicken Rice
海南鸡饭 · Hǎinán Jīfàn
Poached chicken served with rice cooked in chicken stock. The original of the Singaporean dish.
Hainan chicken rice is the original of what's now a more famous Singaporean and Malaysian dish. A whole chicken is poached in chicken stock with ginger, scallion and pandan; the rice is cooked in the same stock with chicken fat. Served with small dishes of ginger-garlic paste, dark soy sauce, and chilli sauce. The Singaporean version has tightened the recipe, but the Hainan original (and Singaporean returnee versions in Hainan) retains a different balance.
Where to try
Hainan: Wenchang Chicken (the local breed) restaurants. Outside Hainan: Singaporean-style chains.
Dietary notes
Chicken, rice (gluten-free).
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