Pairing Hainanese Chicken Rice correctly — a note on teh tarik

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Hainanese Chicken Rice. I ordered it with teh tarik and the bold and complex elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. curry leaves in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Malaysian cuisine reflects the Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous Orang Asli traditions of a multicultural society. The a Penang hawker stall is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Hainanese Chicken Rice with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.