The Hainan Story at Jewel Changi Airport brings together familiar Hainanese flavours, nostalgic comfort food and some rather playful creations under one roof. From classic Hainanese chicken rice and curry to old-school Western favourites, there’s plenty to choose from whether you’re craving something comforting or simply looking for a hearty meal before or after a flight. We revisited some of our favourites and also tried a few newer additions to the menu.
Signature Fried Kway Teow 3/5
The Signature Fried Kway Teow ($11.90) comes with two large prawns and has a slightly sweet-savoury flavour. Unfortunately, it was a little bland for our liking and lacked the smoky wok-hei we usually look for in a good plate of fried kway teow. Not our favourite of the meal, especially with so many other stronger dishes on the menu.
Newspaper Curry Chicken Drumstick Rice 4.5/5
The Newspaper Curry Chicken Drumstick Rice ($10.80) never fails! We love the rich and lemak curry generously drenched over the rice. Creamy, comforting and full of flavour, this is the kind of curry where we could easily mop the plate clean. Definitely one of those dishes we would happily order again.
Gourmet Hainanese Thick Bee Hoon Laksa 3.8/5
The ‘lemak-ness’ continued with the Gourmet Hainanese Thick Bee Hoon Laksa ($15.80). It comes with char siew, which is rather unusual for laksa, but surprisingly, it works, and the char siew was good! That said, we felt the laksa itself was missing a little something, perhaps that deeper, more pronounced shrimp flavour that would have given the broth an extra boost.
Hainan Steamed Chicken Mix Roasted Chicken 4/5
When it comes to Hainanese cuisine, you can’t leave out Hainanese chicken rice. We tried the Hainan Steamed Chicken Mix Roasted Chicken Platter ($20 Half) by Wee Nam Kee, one of my favourite chicken rice brands in Singapore. A household name since 1987, Wee Nam Kee is known for its authentic Hainanese chicken rice, and it’s easy to see why. The chicken was tender and paired especially well with the bold house-made sauces.
Signature Hainanese Curry Fish Head 5/5
It wasn’t our first time having the Signature Hainanese Curry Fish Head ($28), and it definitely won’t be our last. The gravy is almost a cross between a rich curry and tangy assam broth. It is flavourful yet light enough to drink on its own, although we think it tastes even better drenched generously over rice! There’s also a good variety of vegetables, including long beans, eggplant, and tofu puffs, along with the tender, meaty fish. This remains one of our absolute favourites here.
Chapter 2 1980’s Hainanese Chicken Cutlet with Pork Cheesy Sausage 4/5
If you’re in the mood for something more Western, go for the Chapter 2 1980’s Hainanese Chicken Cutlet with Pork Cheesy Sausage ($19.80). The portion is generous, complete with an impressive 8-inch sausage. More importantly, the chicken cutlet was nicely breaded and crisp without feeling overly greasy.
The Monster Kongzilla 3.8/5
Now, this is one dish guaranteed to get some attention. New on the menu, The Monster Kongzilla ($18.80) is exactly as dramatic as its name suggests. Designed for sharing, ideally amongst four people alongside other dishes. It features a monster-sized grilled baguette loaded with a whopping 40cm XXXL cheesy chicken sausage. Layered with lettuce, tomato and cucumber, then finished with nacho cheese and ketchup, with coleslaw and tempura sweet potato fries served on the side. Order this, and we can almost guarantee a few eyeballs will be heading towards your table!
Fossa Chocolate
Here’s something for nostalgic Singaporeans. An exclusive Fossa Chocolate x Mr Kiasu collaboration, the Min Jiang Kueh and Kopi Gao Chocolate Bars ($13.08 each) are available exclusively at Chapter Two, Jewel Changi Airport. We especially love the packaging, which instantly brings back memories of the iconic Mr Kiasu character. These would make a fun little souvenir too, especially if you’re looking for something with a distinctly local touch.
The Hainan Story is one of those places where there really is something for everyone. With its mix of traditional Hainanese favourites, old-school Western dishes and newer creations, The Hainan Story at Jewel works particularly well for groups and families where everyone may be craving something different.
Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.
The Hainan Story
Jewel Changi Airport
78 Airport Boulevard
#B2-201/202
Singapore 819666
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Nearest MRT: Changi Airport (EW Line)
Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Direction:
1) Alight at Changi Airport MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]