Hainanese

Hainanese refers to the people of Hainan, a tropical island province in the south of China, as well as the language they speak. The term also extends to the culture and cuisine associated with the Hainanese people. Hainan Province is part of the People's Republic of China; historically linked to Guangdong province, it became a separate province in 1988.

The Hainanese language is a Sinitic language spoken on Hainan Island and among overseas Hainanese communities. It is part of the broader Min/ Southern Min family according to some linguistic classifications and includes several local dialects. Usage of Mandarin is widespread in education and formal settings, but Hainanese remains present in homes, markets, and cultural life.

Historically, Hainanese people have inhabited Hainan since ancient times; migration from the mainland and interactions with various ethnic groups have shaped the culture. Today, significant Hainanese populations live in Southeast Asia, notably in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, where they have contributed to local cuisine and business networks.

Cuisine: Hainanese culinary traditions emphasize seafood and tropical ingredients. The diaspora popularized dishes such as Hainanese chicken rice, a dish of poached chicken served with seasoned rice and sauces, widely associated with Singaporean and Malaysian street cuisine. Another notable dish is Wenchang chicken, from Hainan's Wenchang city.