Tunchang Kung Fu Chicken 屯昌功夫鸡
Is Hainan Kung Fu Chicken a clucker who has been to the dojo? No! These long-legged, agile chickens are fast runners and can easily fly up to roost in tree tops, making them the martial artists of the chicken world! The Kung Fu Chicken is a local free-range hybrid chicken breed that forages for food in the rubber tree forests of Tunchang, the ‘home of martial arts’, resulting in a unique flavor profile.

Li nationality fried snails 黎族炒蜗牛
It is produced in Anyou coastal area. It is fresh and delicious. The whole snail is stir fried with pepper. The meat is crisp and tough. The method of blanching perfectly retains the natural and delicious taste of snail meat, and even outsiders can taste the ”sweet” inside.

Qiongzhong Pheasant 琼中野鸡
Qiongzhong Pheasants are farm raised on organic feed. These meaty game birds can be stewed, braised, roasted, or baked along with local greens and seasonings for the perfect central Hainan feast.

Calamansi 金桔
Hainan Calamansi Pulp contains vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin P and aromatic oil and other substances, has the effect of cough and phlegm, blood production and spleen strengthening, whitening and freckle removing.

Lei Gong Bamboo shoots 雷公笋
Lei Gong bamboo shoot does not have the personality of being delicate, unlike most spring bamboo shoots often buried deep underground in the way of ”still holding pipa half mask”, it will break out after being awakened by thunder, and tufted. As long as you keep an eye on the mountains and hills, you can find the treasure.

Zaopucu 糟粕醋
This unique spicy Hainan specialty soup is made from the lees of the vinegar as a base, and filled with other ingredients such as noodles, seafood, and seaweed, meaning that this dish is likely to show up on our upcoming list of sour Hainan dishes as well! The best place to get a piping hot bowl is in Puqian, Wenchang, located on the east coast of Hainan.

Yellow Lantern Peppers 黄灯笼辣椒
Yellow Lantern Peppers pack quite a punch! You’ll see jars or bowls of lantern pepper hot sauce on the table at most Hainan restaurants, and you might see the locals scooping it right into their dishes, but my advice is to take it easy until you find out how much you can handle. You wouldn’t want to burn out on your first day in Hainan!

Pickled taro stems 泡芋头梗
Green taro stems the color of summer are peeled, sun dried, and pickled. Whether stir-fried or stewed, they are an indispensable delicacy in the hot summer.

Pickled mustard greens 腌芥菜
Remarkably similar to the sauerkraut eaten in Europe, Hainanese people like it for similar reasons: a sour and crisp taste that enhances any dish while also being a shelf stable food from a pre-refrigeration era. In addition to congee (the best partner for sour cabbage), it's often made into an irresistible spicy soup with peppers and chitlins.

Gongdao 公道餐
“Gongdao” is a traditional collective dining experience in Qionghai, which can be traced back to the last century when commodities were in short supply. In order to distribute a single duck or goose equally, a person of virtue and prestige was invited to ”ensure fairness”. Later, people named this unique tradition ”Chi Gongdao”, which literally means “Eat Justice”. Be sure to get your fair share while you are in Qionghai!

lamb in Shi Shan 石山壅羊
As the cold wave moves southward and the temperature drops sharply, the winter that belongs to Hainan has finally begun. It's time to have a steaming hot pot of lamb in Xiu Ying, Haikou, experiencing the ultimate satisfaction of lamb and soup~ Shi Shan Yong Yang (a type of sheep) is produced in Xiuying Shi Shan Town, Haikou, in the volcanic core eruption area. Farmers keep weaned sheep in dark rooms and collect tender leaves from shrubs in the wild to raise them, that’s why it is called ”Shi Shan Yong Yang”. The traditional cooking methods of Shi Shan Yong Yang include raw cutting, braising, dry stir frying, and making soup in a hot pot. Among them, the most

Shi Shan Black Beans 石山黑豆腐
Shi Shan Black Beans, small in size, rich in grain aroma, naturally organic. After several processes such as peeling, soaking, grinding three times, boiling four times, braising five points, and pressing water six times, a plate of Shi Shan Black Tofu with bright color and smooth texture is obtained.There are various ways to eat black Tofu, and locals like to cook it on the edge of the stove. The black Tofu, which has a tough skin and a smooth texture after being boiled in lamb soup, which is delicious. Braised black Tofu is also the most popular dish, cut into long strips and served with flavorful ingredients such as pork belly, fermented soybeans, and salted fish.

Recommendations:Shi Shan, Xiu Ying, Haikou

Pandan Flatbread 斑斓煎饼
The pandan is a plant, and it’s used to make yummy treats perfect for cooling you down in the Hainan summer heat. The delicate, fresh flavor of pandan shows up in many Hainan dishes both sweet and savory.Crispy, fried flatbread is a staple of many Chinese meals, but when you add pandan flour to the dough, it creates a dish with a whole new appeal!

Recommendations: Nanyang Flavor ADD.Huaya Town, Wanning City.

Roast Suckling Pig 临高烤乳猪
The mouthwatering aroma of BBQ pork will let you know when you are anywhere near Lin’gao, home of the famed Roast Suckling Pig. The crackle of the crispy skin and sizzle of fat dripping into the fire announces the moment you’ve been waiting for – it’s time to eat! These whole suckling pigs have been marinated for several hours in a secret sauce – I can tell you that it often involves onions, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce – and then roasted slowly on a spit above a fire for 4-5 hours, until they have reached the height of perfection. Once it’s gone there won’t be any until tomorrow, so make sure to get there early!

The “Gongdao”Meal in Qionghai 琼海公道餐
”Gongdao” is a traditional collective dining experience in Qionghai, which can be traced back to the last century when commodities were in short supply. In order to distribute a single duck or goose equally, a person of virtue and prestige was invited to ”ensure fairness”. Later, people named this unique tradition ”Chi Gongdao”, which literally means “Eat Justice”. This kind of diet habit has been inherited till now with the spirit of unity and fairness during hardships.

Hainan Old Papa Tea 海南老爸茶
Having Old Papa tea or Laobacha is a local food culture in Hainan. Typically, locals simply gather at a table, sit on a few chairs, make a pot of tea, and sip the tea with some dim sum. Having Old Papa tea is a must-try order during your trip to Hainan. 10 selected dishes of Old Papa Tea The Old Papa tea is best served with some dishes——they can be Chinese or Western desserts, or snacks made in different ways. Here is a list of the most popular among locals: egg lards, radish cakes, pineapple buns, salty lemon, pork blood soup and frozen coffee milk.

Recommendations: Yipin Taste Food Court ADD.Next to the Yipin Bun stall, Haidian 4th West Road, Haikou City

Vegetable Stew 海口斋菜煲
Although the stars of this dish are the vegetables, which include mushrooms, tofu, celery, bean sprouts, wood ear, you’ll also find glassy transparent mung bean noodles rounding out this traditional dish that’s a must for the first day of Chinese New Year in Haikou, but is also widely available in Hainan themed restaurants year round.

Recommendations: 斋菜煲New Year’s Veggie Stew

Wampee Chicken 儋州黄皮鸡
Ginger, garlic, and the leaves of the wampee tree are packed into the cavity of a chicken, which is then placed in a dish on a bed of wampee leaves. The chicken is drizzled with sauce and then cooked to perfection. This is a Danzhou specialty.

Xiangou Beef in Ding’an County 仙沟牛肉
It is reputed as the “dangcing” beef, with diverse flavors, fleshy and tender meat that is suitable for frying and steaming.

Recommendations: No.28 Siyuan Road,Xiangou,Dingcheng Town,Ding’an County

Hainanese Chicken Rice 海南鸡饭
Hainan’s Wenchang chicken with rice has gained an international reputation. The chickens used in the dish are raised free-range locally for more than 210 days. The rice cooked in chicken oil and chicken broth makes a perfect match.

Recommendations: Wenchang Grand Garden Chicken Restaurant. Location: Yunyi Road, Wenchang Town, Wenchang City

Coconut Chicken Soup 椰子鸡汤
Often served right inside the coconut, chicken coconut soup is a true Hainan specialty. The refreshing, filling soup is made with coconut milk and local Hainan chickens, for that perfect tropical flavor. Add some peppers to the pot if you like a bit of heat!

Recommendations:Longquan's people coconut chicken soup chain 龙泉人椰子鸡汤连锁店

Salt Baked Chicken 盐焗鸡
Salt Baked Chicken is the most tender, most flavorful, most savory chicken you will ever taste in your life.  Plump young chickens are carefully wrapped in sheets of baking paper and submerged in giant barrels filled with sea salt. Then they are baked for hours. Slowly, the chickens are transformed by the salt which permeates them, tenderizing the flesh, while the juices and fats are retained. The resulting flavor has to be tasted to be believed.

Recommendations: A Bo Po Salt-Roasted Chicken 阿卜婆盐焗鸡 Address: Area B, Shui’an Xingcheng, E. 2nd. Rd., Haidian Island 海甸二东路水岸星城B区

Coconut Chicken Soup 椰子鸡汤
Often served right inside the coconut, chicken coconut soup is a true Hainan specialty. The soup is made with coconut milk and local Hainan chickens, for that perfect tropical flavor.

Recommendations:Original Flavor Coconut Chicken 原味主张椰子鸡

Tengqiao Pork Ribs 藤桥排骨
Made with meat from the home-raised pigs of Tengqiao Town in Haitang Bay, this dish is made of fried slices of pork ribs seasoned with cooking wine, chopped scallion pieces, pepper, soy sauce and honey. Tengqiao Pork Ribs are golden fried and slightly sweet, and pair well with beer or wine.

Wenchang Chicken 文昌鸡
Wenchang chicken is one of Hainan's four specialties, and may be the most well known of them all. Not only popular in Hainan, has it also become a signature dish in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, due to the nostalgia for their home of the Hainanese diaspora. The chickens are generally free range chickens. Wenchang chicken is normally boiled and then cut into pieces. It is then eaten by dipping the pieces in a mixture of spices including chopped ginger, garlic, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and freshly squeezed calamansi fruit. The skin of Wenchang chicken is typically yellow, and the meat is white and tender.

Dongshan Mutton 东山羊
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.

Hot-spring Goose 温泉鹅
Hot-spring Goose, also called Wenquan Goose, is a hybrid kept by farmers living adjacent to the Wanquan River (万泉河). When the geese are small, farmers unleash them into the wild to hunt down their own food that is chiefly comprised of grass seeds. When the stage for putting on weight comes, farmers feed the geese a special diet to fatten them up. These plump geese are then stir fried or cooked in a hot pot along with locally picked mushrooms, onions, and greens. The rich flavor of the tender goose meat is definitely not to be missed.

Five Foot Pork 五脚猪
How did Hainan pigs grow an extra foot? Impossible! Actually, these small, wild pigs have long, thin snouts, which they constantly use to forage in the leaves and soil, giving them the appearance of having five feet instead of the usual four! The pork is tender and flavorful, and makes a tasty addition to any meal.

Qiongzhong Veal 琼中小黄牛
These calves are raised free range, making the meat especially tender and flavorful. No need to add much seasoning, all the flavor you need is right here! This dish is a favorite of China’s sports teams, who often train in Hainan, and benefit from Hainan’s clean, organic meat.

Mushroom Chicken Hotpot 灵芝鸡火锅
Fresh picked Lingzhi Mushrooms are cooked with free range chickens in this hearty, healthy dish, which makes the perfect pick-me-up after a long day of adventuring in the Hainan Rainforest.

Ledong Huangliu Duck 黄流老鸭
Sautéed or poached Huangliu Duck, served in bite sized pieces with a home-made sauce of chopped garlic, soy sauce and calamansi juice, is a must-try dish in Ledong County. The Huangliu duck meat is tender, pairing perfectly with a glass of the local rice wine.