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Hainan Story Chapter Two, Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore

Hainan Story Chapter Two, Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore

Address: B2-201/202, Jewel Changi, 78 Airport Blvd., 819666
Official Website: thehainanstory.com
Opening Hours: Daily 8:00am – 10:00pm

Hainan Story Chapter Two, Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore

Following the success of Hainan Story’s Introduction and Chapter One stores, Chapter Two has opened at an intriguing location: Jewel Changi. I can only assume the story is for travelers and vacationing Singaporeans to have a taste of Singapore before they leave the island.

This was my number 1 criticism at Hainan Story’s Jewel Changi restaurant. Mediocre food fare us hidden behind long queues, long waiting times and glamorous retro/diner interiors and an easily accessible bakery that is bound to get anyone’s attention. I thought it was an elevated hawker western/chicken rice stall and short of my expectations for an airport meal.

That said, I still think it’s a much-welcomed addition to Jewel Changi which has really poor fast dining choices beginning with Kam’s Roast, Tim Ho Wan and Tsui Wah, whose food has steadily declined along with its hometown. I am not inclined to spend a lot of money on airline food, nor do I want heavy meals before my trips… So I wondered ho Hainan Story Chapter Two is going to fit in the burgeoning travel scene.

Nu Rou Set is too spicy, the four heavenly kings doing nothing to temper the spices. I don’t think this is the kind of meal you want to eat even 3 hours before a flight.

Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice set seems passable, but to family travelers, they might want to order a half chicken to share and to make the most out of their buck.

On the other end, Wee Nam Kee’s pork and chicken cutlet is way too large for a solo diner.

Check out the size of this pork loin set. I like it, but probably only for ravenous customers shopping at Jewel Changi. Again, not for travelers. But I’m a huge fan of the coleslaw. Much needed acidity to cut through the saltiness.

And leaves no space for trying out hakka dishes like Ngoh Hiang.

Meanwhile the porridge was a big letdown. It’s more like pao fan, rather than a porridge consistency. The rice is still very much hard at the bottom of the bowl.

Among the dishes we tried, only the Lychee Toast with Gula Melaka Kaya and Butter seemed to pass my expectations. I am not a fan of thick Kaya toasts and prefer mine as thin as it is possible with butter spread overflowing from its edges. But the lychee toast delivers, and so does the cup of Kopi Siew Dai and Tea-C Kosong we ordered.

I would caution travelers not to come here in a rush. Hainan Story is like a book, I’ve noticed, and you’ve got to dive into the world before it grows in you.