Hainan is rich in food ingredients. The food of Hainan reflects the abundance of seafood in the surrounding waters as well as the rich sources of natural ingredients on-land, many of which grow or roam wild in the lush farmlands and jungles of the interior.

　　Hainan food has its roots in the food of farmers and fishermen, and makes use of simple, healthy ingredients, with the result that its flavours are often lighter and more delicate than those in dishes from neighboring provinces. Watch out for the yellow chilies which are commonly used as a condiment, though, as they are neither light nor delicate.

　　The following famous Hainan dishes are unique to the province and well worth ordering when visiting local restaurants in Hainan.

　　Hainan Four Famous Cuisine

　　Wenchang Chicken (文昌鸡)

　　The precursor of the dish known around the world as Hainan Chicken, this dish comes from the city of Wenchang in the north of Hainan Island.

　　The chickens used in the dish are raised free-range in the Wenchang area and fed a diet of bran and coconut.

　　Traditionally the bird is boiled in stock and the meat served sliced on the bone. The meat is usually served with several dips and sauces.

　　Hele Crab (和乐蟹)

　　Hele Crab originating from the town of Hele, near Wanning, where the locally-reared crabs have a rich, oily meat, they are usually steamed and served with ginger and a garlic and vinegar sauce.

　　Jiaji Duck (加积鸭)

　　The ducks used in this dish are traditionally raised in the Qionghai area on a diet of bran and tofu. They can be served steamed, boiled or roasted.

　　Dongshan Lamb (东山羊)

　　The meat in this dish is actually not lamb but goat, sourced from livestock reared at Dongshan Ridge near Wanning. The meat is usually roasted or braised in coconut milk.

　　Local street snacks

　　Among the wide variety of cuisines and unique local specialities on offer in Hainan, the humble bowl of rice noodles is probably the most commonly seen and easily enjoyed.

　　Hainan is well known for its rice noodles, it is a common sight to see street stands and small eateries where a delicious bowl of noodles can be picked up for just a few yuan.

　　There are many local variations of this basic dish – the four most well known are Baoluo Rice Noodles (抱罗粉), Hainan Rice Noodles (海南粉), Hou’an Rice Noodles (后安粉), Gangmen Rice Noodles (港门粉) and Lingshui Sour Rice Noodles (陵水酸粉).