Introduction & Highlights
Typical of tropical destinations, taro is also the star ingredient of one of Hainan's most famous snacks.
The Sweetened Taro, which many locals remember from early childhood days, remains a perfect desert option. If you're planning to visit the island during the winter, rest assured this is the best time of the year to enjoy this delicacy.
As a nice option to warm you up on cold days, Sweet Taro is made of, among other things, sugar noodles and bean curd alongside sesame paste and sago, creating a unique syrup with a fragrance of its own, you can easily sniff out in the street.
Each bowl of Sweetened Taro is a slice of heaven for foodies, which you’ll be able to find in one of Old Haikou's alleys. You'll just have to follow the scent until you reach one of the several places tempting you with it. Take time to enjoy this wonderful dish.
Where to Experience
1. Xitie Temple Dessert Shop (西天庙糖水铺)
Address
No.75 Yixing Street, Longhua District, Haikou (海口市龙华区义兴街75号)
This small stall located in the Xitian Temple has a vast range of typical Hainan desserts for many years now.
Expect to wait a while though as it’s a popular choice for many. There are always big queues of people lined up to buy some of the local delicacies. Besides Sweet Taro, you’ll be able to find other local specialties that you will find hard to resist.
2. Zhuqing Snack Shop (祝卿小吃店)
Address
48 Datong Erli, Longhua District, Haikou (海口市龙华区大同二里48号)
With its roots dating back more than three decades, the Zhuqing Snack Shop is another one of Haikou’s hotspots to look out for, offering you the chance to enjoy some of the most famous delicacies of the island.
Visitors who come here searching for the authentic flavours of Hainan always leave feeling satisfied.
3. Yang Yang Xiao Zhan (杨杨小站)
Address
No.169 Guang Yi Dong Li, Meilan District, Haikou (海口市美兰区广益东里169号)
In Haikou’s Meilan District, the Yang Yang Xiao Zhan provides an opportunity to taste local delicacies traditionally cooked with high quality standards.
If you’re in the city centre it won’t take you long to get here to enjoy some Sweet Taro, for example, to warm you up. Traditional yet memorable, you certainly won’t forget the magic of this special food outlet.
In Haikou’s Meilan District, the Yang Yang Xiao Zhan provides an opportunity to taste local delicacies traditionally cooked with high quality standards.
If you’re in the city centre it won’t take you long to get here to enjoy some Sweet Taro, for example, to warm you up. Traditional yet memorable, you certainly won’t forget the magic of this special food outlet.
4. Wenzhuang Dessert Shop (文庄糖水铺)
Address
Wenzhuang Road (文庄路易买商城和琳琅面包店中间)
The Wenzhuang Dessert Shop is yet another name not to forget if you’re looking to taste real local Hainanese food. The popularity of this place has been growing, particularly amongst office workers and groups of friends who love to stop by, enjoy some nice flavours and chit-chat.
Whether it’s for lunch or dinner, this is a great place to hang out and is very welcoming to tourists.