You’ve heard of scissor cut rice doused with rich Hainanese curry. But have you heard of a mala curry iteration? That’s an option you have at Kim’s Curry Hainan alongside the usual offerings of fried pork chop, braised pork belly and crispy prawn roll (hei zho). The hawker stall is headed by Clement Tiang, who has a background in catering and uses the family recipe to create the curry served here.

Blk 186 Toa Payoh Central, #01-402 Stall No.1 J99 Eating House, Singapore 310186 and 8A Admiralty Street, #01- 04 Foodxchange, Singapore 757437

All Things Hainanese started as a home-based business before starting its first physical store in Bras Basah Complex. Headed by a group of young hawkers using their grandparent’s recipes, the brand is most known for the Hainanese kueh yi bua, which has fillings of gula melaka, peanut, sesame, dried tangerine, coconut and brown sugar wrapped in chewy glutinous rice dough. Besides yi bua, tuck into the Signature Hainan Laksa while you’re there.

231 Bain St, #02-19 Bras Basah Complex, Complex 180231

Also referred to as Hainan Xiao Chi due to its signboard, the hawker stall in Kim Keat was the originator of the previously mentioned All Things Hainanese. Founded by their grandmother, the late Madam Yeoh, in the 1970s, the hawker stall is known for yi bua and Hainanese laksa.

22 Lor 7 Toa Payoh, Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre, Singapore 310022

Founded in 2013, Chuan Ji Cafe is another brand that rose from being a humble home-based business. The brand and its owner Chong Suan have a simple goal: to keep the family-held legacy of the traditional Hainanese mooncake alive. Also known as Hainanese Flaky Biscuit, the confectionery is stuffed with tangerine peel, melon and sesame seeds, spring onion, fried shallot, Chinese five spice and more. Chuan Ji is also a place to have a complete meal with popular offerings such as beef stew and pork chop.

401 MacPherson Road, MacPherson Mall #01-17, Singapore 368125

Owing to the owner’s mother’s experience cooking in old British camps, Jacob’s Cafe now serves a unique mix of Hainanese and western food. Situated in the quiet Changi Village enclave, the must-try dishes here are the Hainanese Mutton Stew, which is usually made with pork, and Hainanese Braised Pork Knuckles. Besides that, western food options such as Oxtail Stew and German Pork Knuckle are favourites here. Unfortunately, the brand will be ceasing its 22-year run on April 9, so hurry and head down to get a final taste.

5 Changi Village Rd, #01-2049, Singapore 500005

Most of us would know the Beach Road Scissor-Cut Curry Rice so we’ve decided to feature other brands instead. Hock Gooi is another of the said brand that peddles curry rice. Located in CBD in the Market Street Hawker Centre, you can choose add-ons such as braised pork trotters, chap chye and fried pork chop to round up your meal.

86 Market Street, #02-03 Market Street Hawker Centre, CapitaSpring, Singapore 048947

What if we told you to go to Golden Mile, not for Thai food but for Hainanese food? Thien Kee has been around since 1952 and is known for two dishes – Hainaese steamboat and chicken rice. The former comes with options such as pig liver, cockles, squid, sliced fish and the like, while the latter is well, chicken rice. The Pork Chop and Pork Satay are crowd favourites too.

6001 Beach Rd, B1-20 Golden Mile Tower, Singapore 199589

There are a few dishes you have to try at the nondescript Jin Wee before leaving. The fried pork cutlet slathered with tomato-based sauce is one while the individually-portioned salted chicken and chicken soup cooked with charcoal in the giant clay pot at the storefront are others. And despite its nondescript looks, the restaurant has gathered many devotees since it began in 1963.

928 East Coast Rd, Singapore 459117

As the name suggests, British Hainan is a restaurant dedicated to the Hainanese chefs who used to cook onboard British ships. The amalgamation resulted in star dishes such as Oxtail Stew, Hainanese Pork Chop, Mutton Soup and Grilled Lambshank. The brand also prides itself on using family recipes and cooking without MSG.

British Hainan has multiple locations in Singapore

What is The Hainan Story? According to the food group, it comprises various iterations and chapters each with its own specialities. Chapter One in Hotel Boss along Jalan Sultan Road, for example, pays homage with satay, laksa and curry rice, while Chapter Two in Jewel prides itself on lor mee, chicken rice and toast. Either way, you’ll be spoilt for choice at any of its locations islandwide.

The Hainan Story has multiple locations in Singapore

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