Hainan chicken is a popular dish in several Asian countries, originating from China. It is often referred to as the national dish of Singapore and can be made with variations in Thailand and Malaysia. The Hainanese subgroup of Han Chinese spread their cuisine throughout Southeast Asia, including this delicious dish.
Hainan chicken, which may also be called Hainanese chicken or rice, is a popular dish in several Asian countries, although it is thought to have originated in China. It is so popular in Singaporean cuisine that it can be referred to as the national dish of the country, but it is also enjoyed in Malaysia and Thailand. Each area may have slight variations from the original.
Standard recipes for Hainan chicken call for cooking a whole chicken in boiling water. Chicken can be stuffed with things like garlic or salt. When the chicken is cooked and has cooled, it can be cut or broken into small bite-size pieces. At the same time, a savory rice is prepared, which can first be sauteed with garlic, shallots and ginger. After both the chicken and rice are cooked, they are combined on the same plate and served with chili sauce or other dipping sauces.
Some changes to the dish may occur when made in Thailand or Malaysia. Rice is sometimes made with coconut milk, providing a nice contrast to hot dipping sauces. In some parts of Malaysia, especially the state of Malaccan, rice may be served in balls rather than left loose.
Thai versions of Hainan chicken, called khao mun gai, vary their sauces and additional ingredients. The dipping seasoning contains chilies, it also includes a paste made from yellow beans which is called tanchu. As in the Chinese version, Thai chicken rice is often served with cucumbers.
In Singapore, the dish is hard to miss, mostly due to the many Hainanese chefs who have influenced Singaporean cuisine. It is served in high class restaurants and also popular as court food. Both tourists and native Singaporeans adore the dish, explaining its wide availability.
When people think of Chinese food, they may think of Cantonese and Hunan styles, which are quite popular in the US. Hainan chicken comes from different traditions although variations may be available in different styles of Chinese food. Interestingly, the Hainanese are mostly from a small island just off the southern coast of China, and although originally fishermen, a sizeable number of people immigrated in the early 20th or late 19th century.
This subgroup of Han Chinese became known for their culinary gifts outside of China and spread their cuisine to many other Asian countries. Hainan chicken is just one example of the influence the Hainanese have had on Southeast Asian cuisine. Fans of the dish would agree that it is certainly a delicious example and those familiar with the dish can go to great lengths to get it when visiting places like China, Singapore or Malaysia.
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