Hainanese chicken rice

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Hainanese chicken

Hainanese chicken rice is a Chinese rice dish most commonly associated with Malaysian cuisine or Singaporean cuisine, although it is also commonly sold in neighbouring Thailand, and found in Hainan, China itself. So-called due to its roots in Hainan cuisine and its adoption by the Hainanese overseas Chinese population in the Nanyang area, the version found in Malaysia/Singapore combines elements of Hainanese and Cantonese cuisines along with culinary preferences in the Southeast Asian region. The Hainanese chicken rice originated from China, and is Chinese in origin.

Preparation

The chicken is prepared in traditional Hainanese methods which involve the boiling of the entire chicken in a pork and chicken bone stock, reusing the broth over and over and only topping it up with water when needed, in accordance with the Chinese preferences for creating "master stocks". This stock is not used for rice preparation, which instead involves chicken stock created specifically for that purpose, producing an oily, flavourful rice sometimes known as "oily rice". Some cooks may add coconut milk to the rice, reminiscent of the Malay dish nasi lemak.

The Hainanese prefer using older, plumper birds to maximise the amount of oil extracted, thus creating a more flavourful dish. Over time, however, the dish began adopting elements of Cantonese cooking styles, such as using younger birds to produce more tender meats. In another variation, the bird is dipped in ice after cooking to produce a jelly-like skin finishing, commonly referred to as Báijī (白鸡) for "white chicken", in contrast to the more traditional Lǔjī (卤鸡, stock chicken) or Shāojī (烧鸡, roasted chicken). In Singapore, where modernity has made the maintenance and long-term storage of master stocks unfeasible, the meat is cooked by boiling in water flavoured with garlic and ginger instead, with the resulting stock used in the preparation of the rice and also in the accompanying soup.

The dish is usually served with several dips, including chilli sauce and pounded ginger. While it is common in Hainan to also offer a third sauce involving oyster sauce mixed with garlic, dark soya sauce is more commonly served in Malaysia/Singapore. The Malaysian/Singaporean version of the chili are also much hotter, reflecting its Southeast Asian influences, and may also involve a mixture of chilli with garlic. Most dishes are served with sliced cucumber, reflecting the Chinese preference for introducing some variety for a more complete meal.

Hainanese chicken rice in Malaysia

The Ipoh chicken rice, from the Malaysian town of Ipoh, is normally served with bean sprouts. This is a very popular version of the rice and a lot of other chicken rice stall have slowly followed it by adding in bean sprouts along with the chicken.

The famous chicken rice ball restaurant located in Malacca, Malaysia

In Malacca, the chicken is served with rice balls rather than a bowl of rice, commonly known as Chicken rice balls. The rice is shaped into golf ball-sized orbs and served alongside the chopped chicken. This dish is eaten the same way as the regular version, making sure to get a portion of chicken, some rice and the soy and chili condiment into each mouthful. Older chefs argue that the rice was originally shaped into balls because it needed to be kept warm from the time it was cooked (often earlier in the day) until mealtime. The rice balls when stored in wooden containers, apparently stayed warm for a longer time. The other theory is that the rice balls were more portable and were easier for labourers working on plantations to transport from home. Today, rice balls are appreciated more as a novelty than anything else.

Chicken rice in Malaysia is available in Chinese coffee shops, but also in roadside stalls and chain restaurants such as The Chicken Rice Shop and Nam Heong.

Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore

The prevalence of stalls selling Hainanese chicken rice as their primary specialty in Singapore underscores its unrivalled popularity amongst Singaporeans and overseas visitors. Hainanese chicken rice is considered as one of the "national dishes" of Singapore, and is often served at international expositions and global events abroad, and in Singapore-run restaurants overseas. Hainanese chicken rice is also one of the few local dishes served on Singapore Airlines flights, and this marks the dish as an important Singaporean cuisine.

In Singapore, Hainanese chicken rice is served at almost all local food outlets and food courts. There are Hainanese chicken rice stalls that have established franchise or branch outlets, and these include Five Star Hainanese Chicken Rice, Boon Tong Kee, Loy Kee which have many outlets islandwide. The price range is around S$2-4 (the latter if the dish includes a drumstick). Some stalls serve extras such as a hard boiled egg, chicken liver, Western firm tofu and kailan as side dishes, each dish usually costing around S$0.50 to S$1.50. Some may serve set meals which include these side dishes.

Hainanese-owned coffee shops tend to serve a variety of Hainanese cuisine, with chicken rice being the main highlight. Other Hainanese dishes include pork chop, vegetables, fish, eggs and char siew. Most of these shops are air-conditioned, and are mainly concentrated at Purvis Street and Seah Street.

One of the more renowned high-end Hainanese chicken rice is served at a coffee house called "Chatterbox" at the luxurious Meritus Mandarin Singapore in Orchard Road for a price of S$17.90. The dish has won many national cuisine awards for the hotel. It is served on a large, circular, wooden tray, on top of which is a plate of steamed or roast chicken garnished with cucumber, tomatoes and lettuce topped with light soy sauce, a bowl of rice and a bowl of chicken soup, and condiments comprising chilli, dark soy sauce and ginger sauce. The rice is prepared with chicken stock as well as a special pack of garlic-based ingredients. The soy sauce is also specially prepared by the head chef and its recipe is said to be a closely guarded secret. Other hotels in Singapore serve Hainanese chicken rice on a circular or rectangular wooden tray.

Canteen vendors in schools also sell chicken rice. However, it tends to be simpler in style, and comprises just sliced chicken with rice and soya sauce as a healthier choice.

Singapore offers other variations of this dish, which include having roasted instead of steamed chicken.

Recipe

• Singapore Hainanese Chicken Rice from Let's get Wokking!
• Hainanese Chicken Rice Recipe from Rose's Kitchenette

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