Going Hainanese

While researching an article for hungrygowhere Malaysia, I tried out a few Hainanese eating joints. There seems to be a boom in Hainan-related cafes and eating places all of a sudden, but really, very few of them are truly authentic. 

Simple does it at Sukico.

My father has eaten at a branch of Sukico Hainan Café before and deemed it worthy, so I went to try the outlet closest to where I live. It advertises itself as ‘the best of the best colonial times Hainanese cooking style’.  It’s a little bombastic for my liking, because although the food is pretty good, it is not the best Hainanese I have eaten. However, what it has going for it is the fact that there are strong representatives of most of the dishes the Hainanese have made their mark on. 

The colour scheme looks better in photos than in real life.

Hainan mee, RM8.50. A little too much like Hokkien mee to be truly Hainanese, but good tasting, nontheless.

Chicken Maryland, RM18.80. Pretty good, but where's the banana fritter?

Hainan grilled chicken, RM16.80, was tender and tasty.

Hainanese chicken rice. The real deal! Succulent chicken, fragrant rice.

Roti babi, RM9.80. Crunchy bun, tender, saucy pork filling. A bit messy, but good.

It’s a comfortable, low-key place, and the staff are friendly and, though foreign, they seem to have a grasp on the food and can recommend menu items. The pink and green walls are a bit off-putting personally, but food in general is good enough to make me discount the unappetizing colour choice. 

Sukico Hainan Café

48 Jalan SS23/3 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Tel: 012 2777 138