Location: Level 1, Unit Number #01-26
Unique British-Hainanese heritage restaurant serving colonial-era fusion dishes like Hainanese pork chop, oxtail stew, and traditional recipes in simple diner setting.
The Hainan Colony at 18 Tai Seng Street #01-26 represents a unique culinary journey that celebrates the fascinating British-Hainanese heritage cuisine born during Singapore's colonial era, when Hainanese immigrants working as chefs for British colonial families created a distinctive fusion that blends European techniques with Asian flavors and local ingredients. This simple, no-frills diner, where Chef Lim lovingly prepares family-favorite dishes, operates Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM (closed Sundays), serving office workers, heritage food enthusiasts, and curious diners seeking to experience this rare cuisine that tells the story of Singapore's multicultural culinary evolution through every carefully prepared dish.
The restaurant's menu showcases iconic British-Hainanese dishes including their signature Hainanese Pork Chop, featuring crispy pork cooked to perfection and topped with a deliciously balanced sweet and sour sauce that exemplifies the fusion nature of this unique cuisine, alongside traditional Fish & Chips prepared with Hainanese influences and the beloved Beef Oxtail stew that represents the heartier side of colonial-era cooking. Additional offerings include Hainanese signature chicken rice sets that honor the immigrants' mainland heritage and British-style preparations that reflect the colonial kitchen influence, with dishes like traditional lamb herbal stew that some Hainanese customers haven't found elsewhere "in a while," highlighting the restaurant's commitment to preserving authentic recipes that might otherwise disappear from Singapore's culinary landscape.
Located in the former premises of 18 Grill, The Hainan Colony has taken over this strategic location within the 18 Tai Seng development, which benefits from underground walkway connections to the MRT station, making it easily accessible for the diverse population of office workers and food heritage enthusiasts. With dishes averaging around 5, the restaurant offers reasonable pricing for experiencing this unique slice of culinary history, while earning recognition with positive reviews that celebrate both the nostalgic flavors and the restaurant's role in preserving Singapore's colonial culinary heritage. For diners interested in understanding Singapore's complex food culture beyond the typical hawker fare, The Hainan Colony provides an irreplaceable window into the colonial-era fusion cooking that helped shape the island's distinctive culinary identity, making it an essential destination for anyone seeking to experience the full spectrum of Singapore's remarkable food heritage story.
Based on 15 reviews
Out of 48 shops
Not enough ratings
Zen
Pork chop rice served hot after about 10 min wait . Pork chop is crisp for those who loves the crunch. Otherwise , meat is not marinated and is just pork . Sauce is not homemade but taste like packets from Lee Kum Kee . So nothing special if it is claimed as all authentic home-made meals.
Suji S
Hainan colony is $$. Make sure to lookout the menu before going there. We ordered bbq chicken and fish cutlet the main dishes were ok. Drinks we order are iced milo and the homemade ice lemon tea($3.80) both tasted below average. It’s too pricey and the taste is not worth it. Hard to recommend.
S Foo
It was a weekend night and we waited only about 8 minutes for our meal. We had the Braised Beef Oxtail ($19.90). The order came with about 4 pcs of oxtail and 2 ice cream scoop size of homemade mash. You can opt for the baguette. Would have been a plus point if some vegetables like carrots and peas were offered. Overall the portion was too small for regular appetite and for the price. For $3.00 more we got the Premium set of the Signature Chicken Rice ($10.90 ) which came with a bowl of Hainanese Mixed Vegetables and a bowl of marrow soup. You can opt to have the regular Signature Chicken Rice for $7.90 without the mixed vegetables and soup. The chicken rice was very fragrant without being oily.The sauce that doused the chicken was too salty. The chilli sauce tasted raw and ordinary. What stood out for me was the bowl of Hainanese Mixed Vegetables. The cabbage, celery and carrots were well stewed and every mouthful was flavourful. I could had bowls of it! There is no service charge for dine in.
Lim Jaspar
Aircon, comfortable. Food served to you. Ordered Oxtail stew. Meat slides off bone easily, tender and soft. Gravy is full flavoured, wholesome and nourishing especially on a rainy day. Baguette stole my heart, skin so crispy and inner so soft. Perfect to dip with. Will revisit for other dishes On another occasion, I ordered Baguette toast and my wife Hainan pork chop. Baguette upholds its usual high standard. Pork chop however is dry and meat stiff, and the tomato sauce overly sour for me. We did not finish the pork chop
Henry Heng
Ordered their Chicken rice premium set ($10.30), came with vege and soup. I requested for less rice so the rice portion does not reflect the actual amount. Their chicken was soft, tender and juicy. Vege was kinda normal and soup nothing special. Rice was also nice. The only drawback was the warm environment and no fan to ventilate the area.
Sophia Ang
Had the Baked Chicken Rice Set $10 nett (includes an Iced Lemon Tea) and added on the Tiramisu $5.90 (ala carte $7.90). Be prepared to wait about 10 mins for the baked rice. The rice is the fragrant chicken rice type. The chicken cubes have a black pepper taste. The portion is just right, quite filling with the cheese topping. Wonder if it will be more moist if tomato is added. I always have room for dessert, especially tiramisu!! I am so glad the tiramisu here contains Kahlúa coffee liqueur. Many places' tiramisu don't have this anymore to broaden their customer base. I will come here for the tiramisu again and try other dishes.
Alii
the beef stew is tasty and comforting and great with the crispy bread. the staff are always friendly. price is ok for western food
Kendrick Wee
Chicken rice premium set was average. Meat was not as tender as I would think. Accompanying dishes was average, don’t need to add to become a set. Braised ox tail was good. Highly recommended. Braised beef stew was average as well. The meat was abit tough.
Cat T
Always keen to try Hainanese food... The pork chop $13.90 was well executed- sauce was a tad sour but we like it. Worthwhile to add $3 to add mixed vegetables (generous with black fungus) and soup. Mutton stew $17.90 was a bit small portion, with 4 pieces of mutton only but very flavourful and not very salty, we finished the stew - more like soup and really liked the bamboo shoots.
Margaret Tang
Yummy. Old school "western food". Tastes great. Nostalgic. Hard-to-find classics all here. Oxtail stew, beef stew, Hainanese Pork Chop, Hainanese Curry and more. Had the beef stew - soft, succulent beef cubes with potato, celery and carrots in a rich brown sauce. Had Hainanese pork chop- juicy meat, crispy coating, tangy sauce. Really good.
dEtRoiX 86
When I see asian and western fusion, I am always ready to label it as gimmicky. This place services what I deem to be simply Hong Kong inspired dishes and true enough the food is really good as compared to stand alone Hong Kong fusion restaurants where I pay double the amount for. Also the setting is very Scandinavian so while it isn't that authentic it is a comfortable place to dine. What sets it apart is really their baked chicken cheese rice. Nomenclature-ly I reckon it was just another baked rice but little did I know they cook real authentic Asian chicken rice with tender chicken pieces in western cheese baked rice style. It was a simple combination but very unexpected - partly cuz I do not go for baked rice only my partner does. I recommend Hainan to add chicken rice garlic chilli to really give it the extra edge. At $10 set with drinks, I say just go for it.
sk yeo
Love the two dishes we ordered - Hainanese pork chop with fries and herbal lamb stew. One of the best hainanese pork chops I have eaten, with crispy biscuit coating over slightly moist pork drizzled with lovely sweet tangy sauce dotted with green peas. The lamb stew was good too, slightly gamey enough to distinguish what you are eating. Not too oily broth with goji, ginger etc.
Michael Vong
First time here…tried the Pork Rib curry and Beef Stew with their crispy baguette. Very flavourful and robust. They were served in hot pots which kept the curry and stew hot throughout the meal. Will definitely come back to try out their other dishes
Abral Lim
Belated birthday celebration at The Hainan Colony. I had the Beef stew with baguette. It was great. We had Oxtail and Seafood Spaghetti too. Nice 😀
Gabby Fantasy
First time here as I thought of giving this place a try out. 1. Took near to 25 mins to get my order to me, not sure why as those who came later got their food first. 2. The lady at the counter who took my order was seen climbing onto a step to check if there was a seat for me. Thanks to her. 3. My Hainanese pork chop with rice looked like a classic but did not really taste like the old taste somewhat. 4. Place was crowded during lunch and some people ate n went.
(Kaya and Peanut Butter)
(Peanut Spread / Butter Sugar)
(2 Slices of Bread)
(2 Slices of Bread)
(2 Slices of Bread)
(Rice / Chee Cheong Fun / Noodle)
(With Shredded Chicken)
(Rice / Chee Cheong Fun / Noodle)
(Beehoon / Noodle / Macaroni)
Tender & succulent chicken, served with fragrant & flavourful steamed rice infused with rich chicken stock, accompanied by our winning chilli sauce
Add Hainanese mixed vegetable & double-boiled green marrow soup
Topped with our special sweet & sour sauce, served with French fries or steamed rice.
Add Hainanese mixed vegetable and double-boiled green marrow soup
Slow cook with bamboo shoot, black fungus, bean curd stalk & radish, served with steamed rice.
with potato, hard-boiled egg & choice of baguette or steamed rice
Topped with taupok, egg, potato, fish cakes and pork skin
Topped with taupok, egg, potato, fish cakes and pork skin
Topped with taupok, egg, potato, fish cakes and pork skin
Topped with taupok, egg, potato, fish cakes and pork skin
Grilled chicken chop served with crispy fries, steamed vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots), and gravy.
Noodles in a rich curry broth with chicken, half-boiled egg, and other ingredients like fish cake or tofu puff.
Breaded and fried pork cutlet served with crispy fries, fresh salad, and a savory sauce with peas and onions.
Served with Home-made Iced Tea
Smokey BBQ Chicken & black pepper sauce
golden fried fish
Slow-cooked with carrot, celery & potato, served with baguette or fragrant rice
Slow-cooked with braised herbs in red wine, served with home-made baguette or fragrant rice
Spaghetti sauteed with prawns, clams, scallops in spicy homemade tomato sauce
Topped with our special sweet & sour sauce, served with French fries or steamed rice. Add $3.00 for Premium Set (Hainanese chap chye & double-boiled green marrow soup)
Tender & succulent chicken, served with fragrant steamed rice infused with rich chicken stock, accompanied by piquant chilli sauce. Add $3.00 for Premium Set (Hainanese chap chye & double-boiled green marrow soup)
with potato, hard-boiled egg & choice of baguette or steamed rice
Slow-cooked with bamboo shoot, black fungus, bean curd sticks & radish, served with steamed rice
Topped with taupok, egg, potato, fish cakes and pork skin
Topped with taupok, egg, potato, fish cakes and pork skin
Topped with taupok, egg, potato, fish cakes and pork skin
Topped with taupok, egg, potato, fish cakes and pork skin
Grilled boneless leg served with veg. of the day, country fries & black pepper sauce
Crisp golden fried fish coated with our special batter, served with country fries, mixed salad & tartare sauce
Crisp golden fried fish coated with our special batter, served with country fries, mixed salad & tartare sauce, featuring Tiger Garoupa
Slow cook with carrot, celery & potato, served with house-baked baguette or fragrant rice.
Slow cook with mixed herbs in red wine sauce, served with house baked baguette or mashed potato
Spaghetti, cooked with prawns, clams, scallop in spicy homemade tomato sauce
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Tender & succulent chicken served with fragrant & flavourful steamed rice, infused with rich chicken stock, accompanied by our winning chilli sauce. Add $2.00 for Premium Set (Hainanese mixed vegetable & double-boiled green marrow soup).
Slow cook with bamboo shoot, black fungus, bean curd stalk & radish, served with steamed rice.
With potato, hard-boiled egg & choice of baguette or steamed rice.
Topped with taupok, egg, potato, fish cakes and pork skin.
Topped with taupok, egg, potato, fish cakes and pork skin.
Topped with taupok, egg, potato, fish cakes and pork skin.
Slow cook with carrot, celery & potato, served with house-baked baguette or steamed rice.
Grilled boneless leg served with veg. of the day, country fries & black pepper sauce.
Crisp golden fried fish coated with our special batter, served with country fries, mixed salad & tartare sauce.
Slow cook with mixed herbs in red wine sauce, served with house baked baguette or mashed potato.
Spaghetti, cooked with prawns, clams, scallop in spicy homemade tomato sauce.
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Premium Set
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