GO to any Western food stall at a local coffeeshop and chances are, you will find Hainanese chicken chop on the menu.
Despite its name, it neither originated from the Hainan province in China nor qualifies as Western cuisine in the strictest sense.
The dish was created by Hainanese settlers in Malaya during the British colonial period.
Arriving later than other Chinese communities, many Hainanese missed out on work in mining, agriculture and trade.
Instead, they found employment as cooks, domestic helpers and coffeeshop operators, often preparing meals for British colonial officers and expatriates.
To suit British tastes, dishes featuring meat, potatoes
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