Hainan Chicken Rice: An Indispensable Part of the Homely Feeling in Sanya

  For those from Sanya, a steaming plate of Hainan chicken rice, with its fragrant and aromatic goodness, evokes the most comforting taste of home. The flavors of their region dance on their tongues, conjuring a rush of memories and emotions. It's a dish that speaks to their hearts and stirs up a deep sense of nostalgia and affection. "In a few pieces of poached chicken and a bowl of rice, the unadorned flavors of Hainan chicken rice coalesce into a potent symbol of family ties and cherished memories." This humble yet beloved dish makes an appearance in the second episode of "A Bite of China" titled "Roots on the Ground," which traces its journey from Hainan Island to international recognition. Hainan chicken rice is more than just a dish; it is a cultural legacy that has been transmitted across generations as Chinese people venture far and wide. Hainan chicken rice is not just a dish, but a cultural heritage that has been passed down through the generations as Chinese people have traveled far and wide.

  01 The Migration and Inheritance of Hainan Chicken Rice

  Hainan chicken rice is not just a dish, but a testament to the stories of migration and inheritance that have shaped its evolution over the years. While the modern version of Hainan chicken rice is often served as a combo meal with poached Wenchang chicken and rice, its original form was a humble offering of rice balls and poached chicken, used in traditional worship ceremonies.

  Tracing back to the Qing dynasty, many residents used to cook chicken oil, chicken broth, and rice together during festive occasions, and then rolled the cooked rice into round balls while still hot. Over time, this method of cooking rice became a characteristic feature of Hainanese chicken rice.

  For Hainan locals, these traditional rice balls symbolize the wish for a happy and harmonious family life, and a reunion with their loved ones. After the worship ceremonies, locals would hold the rice balls in their hands and savor them along with the poached chicken meat.

  By the end of the 19th century, Hainan chicken rice had spread to Southeast Asia with immigration, reflecting the homesick feelings of the wanderers living in a foreign land.

  Although their hometowns may be thousands of miles away, the memories of sharing a meal together are even clearer for overseas Chinese. A bowl of ordinary Hainan chicken rice is the best comfort for them.

  02 What Makes a Delicious Bowl of Hainan Chicken Rice

  Hainan poached chicken and chicken oil rice are definitely the favorites of every Hainan locals. When boiling the chicken in a pot, the layer of oil on the surface is the essence of the delicious chicken rice. Pour off the chicken oil, heat the wok over high heat, sprinkle the raw rice into it, and quickly stir-fry it with dried shallots until fragrant. Then, replace the water with the chicken broth that was just used to blanch the chicken, allowing the rice grains to fully absorb the chicken broth. The resulting chicken rice has a layer of full-bodied oil on top of the rice grains, which are separated and distinct, not sticky, and have the delicious taste of chicken broth when eaten.

  The chicken should have the skin and meat attached, with a shiny oily surface. The chicken skin is rubbed with a little salt and placed in hot water. During the blanching process, the chicken is repeatedly taken out of the pot several times until cooked. Then it is placed in ice water at the appropriate time to shrink the skin and make it crispy, while the chicken meat remains firm yet tender.

  The cooked chicken is infused with chicken broth, and with a single bite, the skin and meat separate. The chicken skin is crispy and tender, while the meat is succulent and not dry. The best part is the gelatinous layer between the skin and meat, which is both subtle and satisfying.

  Hainan chicken rice comes with a specially prepared dipping sauce. The fresh ginger is finely crushed and mixed with hot sesame oil and chicken oil, achieving a perfect balance of flavors. When you take a bite, the chicken is juicy and tender without being greasy, and the dipping sauce adds a subtle kick of spiciness and fragrance.

  No matter whether we're separated by distance or time, the most authentic and cherished hometown cuisine in our hearts is the taste that comes from the well water of our hometown and the cooking stove of our mother. A few pieces of chicken and a bowl of rice satisfy our mouth and soothe our soul, allowing us to truly experience the essence of local cuisine. It's what makes the world of flavor so rich and vibrant.