Xiuying Crab Congee

Xiuying Crab Congee

　　Xiuying Crab Congee

　　What’s the one dish foodies simply can’t miss when visiting Xiuying District in Haikou? The locals will tell you loud and clear: “Crab congee!”

　　Coming to Xiuying without trying crab congee is almost like not coming at all. Crab congee is everywhere here—so where can you find the most authentic and delicious version? Food lovers, take note: the first branch of Hailu Li Zhao Crab Congee near the Xiuying Building Materials Market stands out as a top choice you shouldn’t miss. The crab meat is rich in phosphorus, potassium, calcium, protein, and various amino acids, offering great nutritional value and known for benefits such as “nourishing bone marrow, enriching liver yin, stimulating gastric juices, improving tendon flexibility and blood circulation, and treating sores and swellings.” It tastes absolutely delicious. The congee is smooth, soft, and easy to digest—perfect for both the elderly and children.

　　Having just arrived in Haikou, I wasn’t familiar with the different areas of this island, let alone the best local eats. Based on my past, rather limited experience, the best food is often not found in fancy, glittering hotels or in lavish abalone feasts—but in the small, hidden gems tucked away in quiet corners. So, in my spare time, I quickly asked a newly acquainted friend in Haikou for recommendations on where to find delicious food. Here’s the tip I got:

　　Old duck soup near the Party School; ribbed fish on Guoxing Avenue; mutton from Lingshan; fish hotpot from Baipo; dog meat and spicy field chicken from Donghu; and crab congee and pigeon congee from Xiuying.

　　That friend also added: “That’s all I know—I don’t eat much Hainanese cuisine.” And yet, I was already impressed by him. He came up with so many suggestions so quickly—it seemed he really knew his food. I looked over the list carefully, feeling a bit disappointed—aside from the word “Xiuying,” I didn’t recognize any of the other places. As someone who easily gets lost, I’m usually hesitant to go to places I’ve never been to. So, the result of this little inquiry was that my first target became “crab congee and pigeon congee from Xiuying.”

　　The farther we drove, the wider the gaps between shops became. Finally, signs for crab congee started appearing. In a place that was neither before a village nor after a town, our leader was about to park. Between two seemingly large storefronts, my buddy muttered to himself: “Which way?” Then, we parked on the left.

　　“

　　Hailu Li Zhao Crab Congee First Branch.” Not a modest name. I tossed my bag onto my head and hurried into the shop. After sitting down, our leader ordered crab. Then I heard: “One crab is 100 yuan.” My heart gave a little jolt—I had thought crab congee was just congee, maybe costing just over ten yuan at most… Speaking of which, thank goodness for our leader—otherwise, if I had gone to Xiuying on my own and heard such an expensive price for congee, I might have silently taken the bus back home feeling utterly dejected. Even if I had eaten it, I probably would’ve regretted the expense for a whole week.

　　Two big crabs were cooked into congee, served in five bowls, steaming hot and fragrant, placed gently on the table. I eagerly grabbed a spoon, picked up chopsticks, and then just used my hands… The aroma was comforting, and my insides felt as though they were being gently caressed. In an instant, it perfectly fulfilled all my cravings for crab congee. I cracked open the big crab claws with gusto, then sipped the congee slowly. My stomach, which hadn’t felt anything all day, suddenly awakened with desire. In the end, I lifted the bowl and scraped the bottom with my spoon, ending the meal with a touch of wistfulness. Glancing at the half-palm-sized crab claw beside the bowl, I thought: This crab congee costing over 40 yuan a bowl is truly extraordinary.

　　By the time we started drinking the congee, the rain had stopped. When we finished the crab congee and got up to leave, I noticed the rain had begun to drizzle again at an angle. A kind waitress offered to hold an umbrella for me, but I smiled and declined.

　　I splashed through the puddles and ran into the car under the rain. The vehicle started moving along the long road again. The night grew darker with rain, the lights turned brilliant once more, Wei Wu began singing, and silence filled the car:

　　You walk down this bustling street

　　Searching for the direction you should take

　　You walk down this bustling street

　　Looking for the strength you once had

　　……

　　At that moment, I felt warmth in my heart, and the taste lingered on my palate.