AI Spot Summary
The Bak Kut Teh soup is rich with a medicinal herb flavor, but it might taste a bit salty. The pork ribs are on the tougher side, but the turmeric rice is fragrant, and the cabbage is crisp and sweet.
The space has a relaxing ambiance with bright, clean wood-style decor and warm lighting.
Ordering with QR codes and online payment is convenient, and the store is organized.
Reviews
Walking into Xindao Hainan Chicken in Songshan, the first impression is a bright and clean dining environment. The wooden decor paired with warm lighting makes one feel relaxed as soon as they sit down.
The restaurant is neat and clean, and ordering via QR code allows for online payment, which is very convenient.
I found the Bak Kut Teh just okay; the broth is reminiscent of a rich herbal soup, with a lot of pepper and salt added. It's not unpleasant to drink, but you might not be able to have too much. The ribs felt tough and chewy, not cooked soft enough for my liking.
The turmeric rice has a sufficiently fragrant flavor, with a moist texture that isn't overly mushy; the portion size is decent. The cabbage still retains its original texture, being juicy and crispy. When paired with the sauce, it doesn’t taste too salty, allowing the natural sweetness of the cabbage to shine through!
Next time I take the train to Songshan, I will come here to eat again.
Atmosphere of the Restaurant
I went there during lunchtime on a weekday.
It wasn't crowded, and there were only two or three other customers in the restaurant. The staff were foreigners, and their voices were surprisingly loud. 😅
The seating was divided into small areas, making it easy for one person to enter. However, I was unsure about starting the ordering process via the QR code, so I asked a staff member. It seemed that other customers who came later also didn't understand, as I noticed everyone asking for help. 😂
Food Evaluation
They had a set menu for Hainanese chicken rice, but I ordered it à la carte. I’m not sure how it usually is, but I was a bit surprised that the chicken was cold. However, the amount of chicken and how well-packed it was were good, and I felt full even with the single order.
I also chose the yellow rice, which had a strong flavor and was nice.
What I particularly appreciated was the three sauces that came with the meal, which kept it from getting boring. I especially liked the green sauce!
Overall Evaluation
To be honest, my impression is that it was neither particularly good nor bad. Atmospherically, I didn’t feel very motivated to revisit, but I thought the thickness of the chicken and the availability of three types of sauces could make it a good option when there wasn't much else to eat.