|
Hainan Island is a island of immigrants - with a population of more
than 8 million people including some 20 different nationalities and
the Li, Miao and Hui minorities - and its cuisine reflects the
influence of its diverse residents.
Local Food
The island's original inhabitants are the Li people, said to be
descendants of the ancient Yue tribes of China who settled on the
island more than 3,000 years ago. Examples of their ethnic cooking
can be found in restaurants decorated with bamboo and thatch and
waitresses in traditional dress. Specialties of the Li and Miao
people include bamboo rice and coconut soup.

Bamboo Rice Chicken soup in Coconut
Also from the Li, come unique Wuzhi mountain specialties featuring
organic vegetables, wild duck and “five feet” pig. The Mangrove Tree
Resort in Yalong Bay features Wuzhi mountain food in their Chinese
restaurant.
The Hui people have been living on Hainan Island over 700 years,
mainly in Yanglan and Sanya. It is said that the Huis are the
offspring of Arabs from the 16th century who did business along the
Water Silk Road from Quanzhou, China to the Middle East. Some were
ship wrecked and settled on Hainan Island. They married the local Li
people but retained their Muslim customs. Phoenix town has many Hui
offerings such as beef and mutton specialties.
Chinese Cuisine
The wonderful Dongbei cooking from northwest China is very popular
with its special dumplings and hand-made pasta. The unique dumplings
are like none other in China - stuffed with eggs, shrimp, pork, beef
and wild mountain vegetables. Some of Sanya's best Dongbei
restaurants are Dongbei Ren, Jiao Zi Wang and Dongbei Jiao Zi Cheng.
Sanya also has a unique type of vegetarian cooking, that originates
from the Longhua Buddhist Temple in Shanghai. It uses local fruits,
flowers and sea vegetables. Visit the Yuanqi Mansion Restaurant in
the Nanshan Cultural Tourism zone for a large variety of these
vegetarian dishes.
Seafood
With an abundance of fresh catches of the day, seafood is very
popular among visitors to Sanya Hainan Island. Customers can pick
their own and have it cooked to personal perfection at most local
restaurants. The four most famous dishes in Sanya are Wenchang
chicken from Wenchang city which is known for its tender meat and
succulent bone marrow; Dongshan lamb or mutton; Jiaji duck from
Qionghai city with a special ginger, soy and pepper sauce; and
festive crab, also from Wenchang city, which is best served steamed
to retain its fresh flavor. There are several good examples of
restaurants serving these specialities between Jie Fang Er Lu and
Sheng Li Lu, Ji Xian Lu and Xin Feng Lu.
Wenchang
Chicken (Boiled, serve Cold)
Hele Crab (Steamed)

Dongshan Lamb (Braised)
Seafood Hotpot
Many of the parking lots in downtown Sanya turn into bustling
open-air seafood hotpot restaurants in the evening. During the day,
fishermen and shellfish collectors make their rounds with fresh
catches and as the sun goes down, you will see these scrumptious
offerings on display. Wander through the multitude of rows between
live fish, shrimp (¥4 for 3-4 dozen), crab (¥10) and more (the
entire dining experience costs about ¥60) and simply select what you
want from each vendor. After the purchase, the vendor takes you back
to your chosen table and places the seafood in the pot for
individual dinners to watch over. A delicious array of sauces is
offered along with a plentiful supply of beer.
International Dining
Beside local delicacies, many foreign foods are available. Each of
the resorts in Yalong Bay have their offerings of international
cuisine. In addition, the Roma Pizzeria and Rainbow American Cafe in
Dadonghai are worth checking out.
Hainan Island Food/Hainan Island Cuisines/Hainan Island Dining
More about
Hainan Island
Location
of Hainan Island
Climate of Hainan
Island
People and
Population of Hainan Island
Culture and
Festivals of Hainan Island New
History
of Hainan Island
When to make your
holiday and what to pack for your holiday in Sanya Hainan Island
Hainan Island
Travel Tips
Hainan Island Fruits:
NEW
Hainan Island
Hotels
Hainan Island Animals
NEW
Hainan Island Golf Clubs
Hainan Island Maps
Sanya---the
tropical destination and highlight of Hainan Island
Haikou---the
capital city and commercial center of Hainan Island
Boao
of
Hainan Island
for
Asia Forum
Road Transportation in Haikou Hainan Island by Taxi or Bus
Tourist attractions of Hainan Island:
coming soon
Malaria Problem in
Sanya Hainan Island
|