The Hainan Story Chapter Two

Our dinner visit to The Hainan Story at Jewel Changi Airport brought us back to some familiar Hainanese favourites. The moment we stepped in, the spacious dining area and colourful storefront caught our attention. Known for its selection of Hainanese delights, we were looking forward to tucking into a comforting spread of local favourites. With so many dishes to choose from, it was time to settle down and enjoy our dinner!

The Hainan Story @ Jewel Changi Airport

The Thick Bee Hoon Laksa came with a generous combination of ingredients, including boiled egg, prawns, pork slices and crispy-looking Soya Ring roll. The thick bee hoon was immersed in a rich, creamy laksa gravy that looked flavourful and inviting. With a mix of seafood, meat and other toppings in every bowl, this was a comforting local favourite to savour.

Thick Bee Hoon Laksa - $15.80

Served on faux newspaper-style waxed paper, this Curry Chicken Drumstick Rice with Sunny Side Up & Hainanese Stewed Vegetable has been one of my staple orders ever since I got to know The Hainan Story. The chicken drumstick was incredibly tender, with meat that practically fell off the bone. Paired with the luscious, flavourful curry sauce, a sunny side up egg and a serving of Hainanese stewed vegetables, this was a comforting and satisfying meal that I would happily order again.

Curry Chicken Drumstick Rice with Sunny Side Up & Hainanese Stewed Vegetable

The Half Roasted and Steamed Chicken from Wee Nam Kee is a lovely combination of two chicken styles on one plate. I enjoyed having both the tender poached chicken and the roasted version, paired with fragrant chicken-infused rice, cucumber slices and their house-made sauces. It is a comforting, familiar Hainanese chicken rice meal that brings a taste of Singapore's food heritage to the table.

Half Roasted and Steamed Mix Chicken

The Hainanese Three Treasures certainly caught my attention! It looks pretty interesting, and I was curious to see how these three flavours would come together in one treat.

Hainanese Three Treasures

This Chicken Cutlet with 8-Inch Pork Sausage was a stomach-filling meal, definitely suited for bigger eaters. The crispy chicken cutlet and juicy pork sausage were accompanied by a generous spread of sides, including coleslaw, mashed potatoes, baked beans and fries. With a good balance of protein and carbohydrates, this hearty platter made for a satisfying meal.

Chicken Cutlet with 8 inch Pork Sausage -$19.80

The Monster Kongzilla really WOW-ed us with its impressive size! This extra-long hot dog was generously topped with sauces and served alongside fries and coleslaw. Definitely a hearty treat for those who enjoy a substantial snack.

The Monster Kongzilla

To show just how massive the Monster Kongzilla is, all of us placed our palms around it for comparison!  This extra-long hot dog was seriously impressive in size, and it was quite a sight to see how it stretched across the plate. Definitely a fun one to share with friends!

Let's Compare our palms

The Signature Hainanese Curry Fish Head arrived in a generous serving of rich, aromatic curry gravy, accompanied by fish pieces, vegetables and tofu. Topped with fresh coriander, the dish looked hearty and inviting.

Signature Hainanese Curry Fish Head - $28

The curry was the highlight, coating the ingredients with its luscious gravy and making it a comforting dish to enjoy with a bowl of rice.

Hainanese Curry Fish Head Close-Up

Packed with wok hei, this Signature Fried Kway Teow was a true taste of local Asian comfort food. The flat rice noodles were tossed with beansprouts, cockles and fishcakes, bringing together a mix of textures and flavours. Topped with two prawns, it made for a satisfying plate of fried kway teow with that unmistakable wok-fried aroma.

Signature Fried Kway Teow - $11.90

All in all, our dinner at The Hainan Story at Jewel was a satisfying one, with a spread of Hainanese favourites and hearty dishes to enjoy. From the comforting chicken rice and laksa to the interesting Monster Kongzilla and Hainanese Three Treasures, there was plenty to keep us occupied at the table. It was a nice place to gather with friends over familiar local flavours, and I would certainly keep it in mind whenever I'm craving a taste of Hainanese comfort food.

The Hainan Story Chapter Two
Location:  Jewel Changi, 78 Airport Blvd., #B2-201/202, Singapore 819666
Website

Le Cheng Hainanese Chicken Rice

We had a dinner meetup with friends at Le Cheng Hainanese Chicken Rice, conveniently located right beside the popular Taiwanese porridge spot that I enjoy. This area is quite a foodie destination, with several eateries clustered around the same stretch.

Parking, however, can be a little tricky, especially during peak dining hours, as available lots are limited. If you’re driving over for dinner, it’s worth factoring in some extra time to find a parking space.

Le Cheng Hainanese Chicken Rice

The barley drink had a simple, homely taste that made it an easy choice to accompany our meal. It was light and refreshing without being overly sweet. Besides barley, they also offer other drinks such as coconut, Ai-Yu Jelly and lime juice for those looking for something different.

Barley

The Quarter Kampong Chicken arrived beautifully plated, with the chicken skin glistening under the light and coated in a savoury seasoning. The meat looked tender and juicy, and even on its own, the chicken was flavourful enough to enjoy without needing much else.

Quarter Kampong Chicken

Taking a closer look at the chicken, the skin had a smooth, glossy finish while the meat underneath appeared soft and tender. Each bite carried the savoury seasoning, making it a satisfying piece of kampong chicken to enjoy on its own.

Yummy Chicken Pieces

The Quarter Salted Braised Duck did not disappoint. The duck was neatly sliced into fairly uniform pieces, with a tender texture that was easy to enjoy. The seasoning was savoury and flavourful, though some parts at the base tasted a little saltier from the accumulated seasoning. Overall, it was a satisfying dish with good texture and plenty of flavour.

Quarter Salted Braised Duck

The Cai-Poh Omelette is a classic dish and a favourite at home, but this version came with a slightly different presentation. Instead of the usual loose omelette, it was cooked into a round, pancake-like shape, neatly encasing the cai poh (pickled vegetables) within. The egg wrapped everything up nicely, giving it a presentable finish while striking a pleasant balance between the egg's mild sweetness and the savoury saltiness of the cai poh.

Cai-Poh Omelette

The Hainanese Chap Chye had that comforting, homely taste that made it a lovely accompaniment to our bowls of chicken rice. With a mix of vegetables cooked until tender and coated in a light savoury sauce, it was a simple yet satisfying dish that added some greens to the meal.

Hainanese Chap Chye

The Hainanese Claypot Mutton Soup arrived bubbling hot in a traditional claypot, filled with mutton, beancurd skin, red dates and goji berries. The herbal aroma was inviting, with a comforting broth that made this a rather unique find, especially since this type of soup isn't commonly found at many eating places in Singapore.

Hainanese Claypot Mutton Soup

Served generously with pieces of mutton and beancurd skin swimming in the herbal broth, this soup was both hearty and comforting. The meat was tender, while the light herbal notes in the broth made it an enjoyable dish to have alongside the rest of our meal.

Tender mutton and Beancurd skin

A spoonful of the mutton revealed tender meat that came apart easily, accompanied by beancurd skin and herbs from the soup. The mutton carried a gentle herbal flavour from the broth, making each spoonful warm, savoury and comforting.

Tender Mutton from Hainanese Claypot Mutton Soup

Last but not least, the Braised Pork Trotters arrived looking incredibly tempting, drenched in a rich, glossy sauce that immediately brought out those traditional flavours. Served with chestnuts and broccoli, it was a hearty and comforting dish that rounded off our meal nicely.

Braised Pork Trotters

The close-up showed just how generous the pork trotter was, with tender meat and layers of collagen-rich skin coated in the savoury braising sauce. The chestnuts added a slightly sweet, nutty contrast, while the broccoli brought some freshness to this hearty dish.

Close-up of tender braised pork trotter with chestnuts and broccoli

What accompanied the whole spread of dishes? Of course, it had to be the fragrant chicken rice! Each grain was nicely coated with flavour and carried that savoury, aromatic taste that made it delicious even on its own. It was the perfect pairing with the chicken, duck and other dishes we had for dinner.

Chicken Rice

Overall, our dinner at Le Cheng Hainanese Chicken Rice turned out to be a satisfying spread of comforting, traditional flavours. From the fragrant chicken rice and tender kampong chicken to the salted braised duck, homely cai poh omelette, unique claypot mutton soup and hearty braised pork trotter, there was plenty to enjoy and share with friends. With its variety of dishes and convenient location among other eateries, it is a place worth considering if you are in the area and looking for a hearty Hainanese meal.

Le Cheng Hainanese Chicken Rice
Location: 389 Changi Rd, Singapore 419838

Nong Geng Ji

Nong Geng Ji Celebrates the Milestone with Two New Openings, Marking their 7th Outlets Island Wide.

To celebrate, Nong Geng Ji is hosting grand opening promotions, including up to 50% off all ala-carte dishes and a Sure-Win Scratch Card campaign where diners can win grand prizes of $188 Cash Vouchers! 

Do check out these outlets at the following dates:

- Velocity @ Novena Square: 15-17th February 2025
- Changi City Point: 18 to 20th February 2025 

with limited slots each day (88 groups for lunch and 108 groups for dinner). Do head down early!

Join them as a member and enjoy Exclusive Perks.
Its completely free and entitles you to the following:

- $30 Cash Voucher (Redeemable at the new Velocity@Novena Square & Changi City Point outlets with a minimum spend of $100)
- $6 Welcome Voucher
- $ Member Exclusive Prices
- Birthday Discount up to 30% off

Let's try out these Authentic Hunan Cuisine! Nong Geng Ji is also proud to be officially recognized as China's No.1 brand for authentic Hunan Cuisine.

Nong Geng Ji

The new outlet at Changi City Point offers a spacious and welcoming atmosphere, enhanced by its warm lighting. This inviting setting provides a comfortable dining experience for all guests.

Interior

The Signature Stir-Fried Pork with Small Abalone and Chilli is a must-try, featuring tender pork leg slices stir-fried with an abundance of Hunan green peppers.

Stir-fried pork with Abalone & Chilli 鲍鱼辣椒炒肉

 The bold, smoky flavors come from high-heat tossing, ensuring a perfect balance of spice and savoriness. Served in a wok over a burner, this dish stays warm throughout, keeping every bite just as flavorful as the first!

Abalone

The Big Shrimp with Vermicelli and Garlic requires an 8-minute wait after serving to let the flavors fully develop. The rich garlic aroma intensifies the dish, complementing the fresh, bouncy prawns. 

Big Shrimp with Vermicelli & Garlic (Non Spicy)  蒜蓉大虾仁 (不辣)

The vermicelli absorbs the savory sauce beautifully, creating a well-balanced bite bursting with umami goodness.

Cooked Version

The Signature Grass Fish Fillet with Chilli is another standout dish from Nong Geng Ji. Delicately sliced fish fillets are gently simmered in a tangy, pickled chilli sauce, infusing them with a bold, zesty heat. The fillets retain a uniquely chewy yet tender texture, making each bite a flavorful delight. A must-try for those who love a balance of spice and tang!

Signature Grass Fish Fillet with Chilli 招牌湖蝶鱼

The Stir-Fried Kampung Chicken with Tea Oil is a flavorful dish packed with a fragrant, earthy aroma. Tender pieces of kampung chicken are stir-fried with black fungus, ginger, and chilli, delivering a delightful spicy kick. The rich tea oil enhances the dish’s depth, making it the perfect companion to a bowl of steaming white rice.

Stir-Fried Kampung Chicken with Tea Oil 茶油炒甘榜鸡

The Stir-Fried Beef with Tea Oil was wonderfully fragrant, with thin and tender beef slices that offered a satisfying bite. The dish carried a spicy kick, enhanced by the bold flavors of chili, coriander, and chunky garlic, making each mouthful both aromatic and flavorful.

Stir-Fried Beef with Tea Oil 茶油鲜炒牛肉

At first glance, we struggled to identify the dish, as its presentation resembled a ball-shaped serving.

Nonetheless, the braised pork with preserved mustard greens had a well-balanced ratio of fat and meat, making it tender and easy to bite.

Braised Pork with Preserved Mustard Greens 梅菜扣肉

The preserved mustard greens added a tangy, slightly sour note that perfectly complemented the rich, savory pork, enhancing the overall depth of flavor.

Braised Pork with Preserved Mustard Greens 梅菜扣肉

The You-Mai Lettuce with Shredded Seasoned Mud Carp offers a satisfying crunch. While the mud carp adds a nice touch, the condiments could be used more sparingly, as it was a tad too salty for our liking. Other than that, we found it to have a unique flavour and a refreshing "getaway" from the other spicy dishes.

You-Mai Lettuce with Shredded Seasoned Mud Carp 豆豉鲮鱼油麦菜

The Beancurd Skin with Egg was an unexpected yet delightful combination. The smooth, sweet eggs paired with the mild, almost neutral beancurd skin created a surprising contrast in flavors. As a non-spicy dish, it was a true savior, offering a refreshing break from the heat and allowing my palate to reset before diving back into the spicier dishes on the table.

Beancurd Skin with Egg (Non-Spicy) 鲜腐皮焖鸡蛋（不辣）

No meal at Nong Geng Ji is complete without rice, and the Wuchang Steamed Rice with Sweet Potato and Red Dates is a must-try. Served in a pressure cooker, the fragrant rice is perfectly fluffy, absorbing the subtle sweetness from the red dates and sweet potato. This comforting and aromatic dish complements the rich flavors of the main courses beautifully.

Wuchang Steamed Rice with Sweet Potato and Red Dates 高压锅红薯饭

The lotus root with superior pork broth reminded me of a familiar comfort from my local cuisine. The generous chunks of lotus root were cooked to perfection—so tender that they disintegrated with just a slight bite. The broth itself was rich and flavorful, making it an ideal companion to balance out the spicy dishes on our table. A soothing and hearty addition to the meal!

Lotus Root with Superior Pork Broth 莲藕排骨汤

If your palate is overwhelmed by the spiciness of the dishes, consider trying their Deep-Fried Glutinous Rice Fritters.

Deep Fried Glutinous Rice Fritters 糖饺子

The gentle sweetness and satisfying crunch can help soothe the heat on your taste buds, providing a pleasant interlude before you continue exploring the spicier offerings.

Fried Fritters

As the spiciness of the dishes intensifies, it’s refreshing to cool down with their Signature Lemon Tea, White Peach Jasmine Tea, and Majestic Jade Tangerine. These beverages offer gentle sweet tones that help ease the spice and reinvigorate the palate. The Signature Lemon Tea provides a zesty citrus flavor, while the White Peach Jasmine Tea combines the delicate aroma of jasmine with the sweetness of white peach. The Majestic Jade Tangerine offers a unique blend of tangerine essence, adding a refreshing touch to your meal.

Signature Lemon Tea / White Peach Jasmine Tea / Majestic Jade Tangerine 招牌饮料

Nong Geng Ji

Velocity @ Novena Square

Location: 238 Thomson Rd, #3-11 Velocity @ Novena Square, Singapore 307683

Changi City Point
Location: Changi Business Park Central 1, #01-26C/27A Singapore 486038

Stella Seaside Lounge

 Have been passing by the doors of NSRCC countless times and finally, we were here for a meal. Fortunately, even without reservations, we were given a good seat at the outdoor area next to the sea. 

Rest and relax with our glasses of Non Alcoholic beverages next to the sea and watching the planes fly by. We had the refreshing Hippie Juice consist of watermelon, plum, strawberry, lemon and mint while the Mango-La was made up of coconut cream, mango, lime and pineapple. Both beverages were good coolers.

Hippie Juice and Mango Lada - $10 each

We were taken over by hunger and these hot sweet potato fries came just in time. It was addictive and I could not stop popping into my mouth till the mains were served.

Sweet Potato Fries - $8

The serving may look small initially but it was stomach filling towards finishing the dish. The Mushroom Linguine was suitable for vegetarian, couple with triple mushroom in garlic butter sauce, topped with parmesan cheese, not forgetting that the Linguine was cooked to perfection too. Totally yummy! 

Mushroom Linguine - $16

We were deciding between burger and Tacos, in the end we were sold to the Birria Beef Tacos. 

Birra Beef Tacos - $24

The pan fried corn tortillas are filled with slow-cooked beef short ribs, smothered with tasty mole sauce and shredded cheese. It was served with a rich beef consomme too.

Tacos

Drinks Pairing with Tacos

While enjoying our meals, we get to see people enjoying their sea sports activities too. The environment scores definitely and their food standard was great too. I will want to be back for others. 

I find that this place is suitable for special occasions or even if you are thinking of romancing your date.

Rating: 3.25 / 5

Stella Seaside Lounge
Location: NSRCC Sea Sports Centre, 11 Changi Coast Walk, Singapore 499740
Website

Makan Melaka

 My last visit to Makan Melaka in Changi Village was like 8 years ago. As I was heading to Changi Village on a hot and humid day, many of them were talking about Chendol. Since I had not gotten a taste of Makan Melaka's Chendol after so long, it's time to grab ourselves a bowl of ice-cool dessert again.

Makan Melaka

We ordered the Chendol with additional red beans. The dallop of red bean was in mashed form and was not too sweet. 

Chendol with Red Bean - $2.80

While the coconut jelly and milk with gula melaka was light tasting and topped with some sweet corn, I still find that something is missing from the bowl. It lacked the savoury and satisfying taste that we were looking for.

Chendol with Corn - $2.80

Looking into the display shelves, we decided to get some Ondeh Ondeh. It was nothing within our expectations. The thickness of the rice flour was simply too much for us which did not tally the proportion of the fillings. No doubt there was a burst of Gula Melaka when it was chewed, the texture overall can be very much improved on.

Ondeh Ondeh - 3 for $2.50

I'm still thinking about if we went to the correct Chendol Stall that everyone was talking about. I guess the search for Chendol just will not stop here.

Rating: 3 / 5 

Makan Melaka
Location: Blk 1 Changi Village Road #01-2046 Singapore 500001