Thursday, March 30, 2023
23.4 C
Haikou

Extreme Weather Warning, Temperatures of 38 Degrees Expected Today...

Hot! Hot! Hot! The temperature is expected to reach a high of 38℃ in Haikou today, with an orange warning for high temperatures in effect. This is the first warning of its kind this year and is expected to continue until tomorrow.

From July! New “mandatory national standard” for e-bike helmets in...

Starting from July 2023, all e-bike riders in China will be required to wear helmets that comply with the new national standard. The standard sets strict rules for the durability and reliability of the straps and other components, collision energy absorption, puncture resistance, and eye protection.

Plan Your Getaway: 2023 Upcoming Holidays to Look Forward...

How time flies, we’re already halfway through the month of March, with the Qingming Festival holiday also known as Tomb Sweeping Day or Pure Brightness Festival, just around the corner.

From Landfill to Eco Park: Yanchunling Restoration Project Unveils...

The "plan" for Yanchunling Ecological Park includes three design schemes, each with detailed introductions to the design concepts, investment estimates, and pros and cons. The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the park's design concept, functional layout, traffic organization, plant configuration, architectural style, urban furniture, and signage system.
HomeGood Food GuideTop Hainan foods...

Top Hainan foods for dining like a local.

​If you want to experience a new place and dive into the local culture, part of this immersion should include tasting the local cuisine. Listed below are some of the most popular snacks and foods amongst the Hainan locals. 

Lao ba cha 老爸茶

Lao ba cha or daddies tea is famous in Hainan, it’s particularly popular with the elderly and where most go to socialise. Lao ba cha is mostly seen in older parts of town such as Qi lou (Old Town). It’s basically a cafe that sells green tea, coffee and some small snacks, usually dim sum and sweetbreads.

Wenchang chicken 文昌鸡

Originating from Wenchang province, it’s a local chicken breed in Hainan. It has a history of more than 400 years. This boiled chicken dish has a distinct flavour like no other, you can usually spot Wenchang chicken by the colour of the skin, it’s a hue of yellow. No part of the chicken goes to waste, it is usually served with the head and feet on the same plate.

Salty chicken 盐鸡

The preparation of salty chicken takes around two days, the chicken is seasoned with Hainan sea salt and left to stand overnight. The following day it is wrapped in baking paper (traditionally lotus leaves) and then slow-baked in a wok of Hainan sea salt for several hours.

Zao po cu 糟粕醋

Typically found in Puqian town. The dish contains noodles, kelp, seaweed, seafood, vinegar, taro and beef. It has become very popular in Puqian with many Chinese tourists travelling there to try this sour and spicy appetiser.

Hainan fen / Lingshui fen 海南粉 /凌水粉

Hainan/Lingshui fen is a sweet and sour tasting noodle dish, it’s cheap and widely available through Hainan. Depending on where you are on the island the ingredients may differ slightly. Typically there will be dried fish, dried meat, noodles and some vegetables in there.

Qing bu liang 清补凉

Qing bu liang 清补凉 is a popular summertime snack all across Hainan. It has many variations but is typically made with ice cream, iced coconut milk and filled with mung beans, watermelon, taro, jelly, sweetcorn and quail eggs.

What’s that?…..quail eggs and sweetcorn in a sweet soup? Most find it strange at first but give it a try, you’ll be surprised.

Mango roll芒果卷 

The coconut mango roll is a combination of two locally grown fruits. The snack is also famous across Hainan. The rolls consist of rectangular cuts of mango wrapped in coconut gelatin wrap.

Coconuts 椰子 /椰子肉

Hainan is an abundance of coconut trees and it’s not hard to miss the stacks of coconuts outside shop fronts. After drinking, ask the shop owner to open your coconut, so that you can eat the ‘coconut meat’ 椰子肉 it’s very popular with the locals, you’ll even see the meat laid out to dry on racks.

Chickens feet 凤爪 /鸡爪

This 4 fingered gelatinous snack is popular throughout China, boiled, fried, stewed and pickled, chickens feet can be found in most restaurants, snack stalls or lunch boxes. Ordered too many chickens feet at the restaurant? Not to worry, chickens feet can be kept in your refrigerator for up to two days before going bad.

Shrimp pancakes 虾饼

This affordable snack can be found around most markets in Hainan. It’s made up of one whole shrimp, vegetable and potato. It’s deep-fried so don’t worry about de-shelling the shrimp.

La tang 辣汤 

La tang can be a little harder to find, and like lao ba cha it is found in the older areas of town. It’s basically a peppery soup containing some vegetables, and the insides of an animal, it’s usually served with a red fatty sausage which is like the Hainan version of chorizo, fried egg and rice.

Roast pig 烤猪

Roast pig is most popular in Dongfang and Ling gao, the dish is not so common in Haikou and Sanya, but people do still eat it. You’ll know when there’s a roast pig place nearby because you’ll smell it before you see it. Look out for the pigs being roasted street side.

Seafood at the market 海鲜广场

One of the benefits of being on a tropical island is the wide variety of seafood that the surrounding waters have to offer. Visit a local seafood market, buy your own and take it to a restaurant, that’s the Hainanese do it here. Buying from the markets is also a little more affordable.

Related article: Old town fish market

Hainan International Tourism and Food Expo to be held in Haikou early December

Hainan International Tourism and Food Expo will be held at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Centre and will run from Dec 1st - 4th

Have you tried Hainan Fish Tea?

Hainan Fish Tea is a popular snack with the Li and Miao minorities of Hainan Island.

Where locals like to eat: Back alley river crabs in Haikou

If you want to try some local Hainan delicacies and want to go where the locals go to eat then this is a must visit restaurant in Haikou

Bar Street in Haikou Bay to open by the end of 2021

Construction is in full swing along the old wharf at Tianhui Commercial Street in Haikou Bay with many waterfront bars and shops having begun final stages of decoration

Get weekly email updates for new articles published!

spot_img

Like to contribute as an author?

Well then, we want to hear from you. We welcome contributors so here are some guidelines to get you started!

Haikou
overcast clouds
23.4 ° C
23.4 °
23.4 °
91 %
3.8kmh
90 %
Thu
27 °
Fri
27 °
Sat
28 °
Sun
29 °
Mon
30 °

The Life and Legacy of Su Dongpo, Poet, Politician and Exile

Su Dongpo, also known as Su Shi (1037-1101), was a renowned scholar, poet, and government official from the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) in China. He lived during a time of political instability and cultural flourishing and is remembered for his wit, wisdom, and literary talent.

Hong Kong to give away 500,000 air tickets to revive tourism

The city’s leader John Lee announced that Hong Kong will hand out 500,000 air tickets, saying it was “probably the world’s biggest welcome ever.” Lee also highlighted a number of events coming up including the Rugby Sevens and a city marathon.

Hainan to spend US$717 million on Formula E race circuit

Formula E, E1 World Electric Powerboat Series and International Motorcycling Federation Races on the cards for Hainan Island

Spring Festival in China and local customs in Hainan

Spring Festival is one the largest holidays of the year in China. Find out more about traditional celebrations over the 2023 new year and the spring festival.

Continue reading

Spring Festival in China and local customs in Hainan

Spring Festival is one the largest holidays of the year in China. Find out more about traditional celebrations over the 2023 new year and the spring festival.

Have you tried Hainan Fish Tea?

Hainan Fish Tea is a popular snack with the Li and Miao minorities of Hainan Island.

New air routes coming to Hainan for 2022

A total of 10 new and optimized routes have been opened in Hainan with the number of domestic routes reaching 28.

Get weekly email updates for new articles published!

Never miss another important notice or event. Be informed of what you need to know, when you need to know it.