Hainan Wenchang Chicken / Hainanese Chicken Rice
Hainanese Chicken Rice has long established itself as a staple in Malaysia and Singapore. The adjectival descriptor gives one the impression that this culinary example is from Hainan, a large island in tropical Southern China. However, it is doubtful that Hainanese Chicken Rice originated from Hainan Island itself. Rather, it is most likely a dish developed by Hainanese settlers in Nanyang (Malaysia and Singapore). The reason for this is rather simple. To wit: Wenchang chicken.
Wenchang chicken is
a breed of chicken which originated in the Wenchang
area on Hainan Island.
The red dots
demarcate the Wenchang area on Hainan Island
Wenchang
chicken prepared in the usual manner and served with innards
Wenchang chicken is now enjoyed all around the island and by tourists. It is usually cooked as shown - steamed or parboiled. The look of the dish and the manner in which is prepared certainly makes one think of Hainanese Chicken Rice. Looks can be deceiving. I have seen many a food reviewer assess the chicken as "not overly tender". They were being polite. This chicken is tough to the point of being inedible to those who know Hainanese Chicken Rice.
Yet, one can see that
Wenchang chicken is probably the key inspiration for
Hainanese Chicken Rice as it is prepared in Malaysia and
Singapore. Instead of this rubbery chicken, young tender chicken
is used and the cooking is limited to gentle parboiling) often
referred to as "steamed") so as not to overcook the meat. Thus,
we have these examplars of the Hainanese style "steamed"
chicken:
Ipoh style steamed
chicken in Kuala Lumpur
Singapore style
Chicken Rice at Boon Tong Kee, Balestier Road
The condiments used on Hainan are similar to what we see accompanying Hainanese Chicken Rice in Malaysia and Singapore. Minced garlic, ginger, coriander, sesame oil and chilli are served at the table for one to make a blend to one's liking with the addition of lots of calamansi juice (this citrus is omnipresent at every meal in Hainan it seems).