Perfectly prepared Wenchang chicken should have a succulent, naturally flavorful texture and crisp, yellow skin. The meat is typically served with a dipping sauce made of lime, chili, and other condiments to enhance its aromatic sweetness.

Wenchang is also known for another popular dish that has gained popularity beyond Hainan: zaopocu (sour vinasse soup). This dish was created by the residents of Puqian town, who transform the byproducts of liquor distillation into a tangy and delicious sour flavor through fermentation and boiling.

Zaopocu can be enjoyed with vegetables, meat and seafood — essentially anything. Its unique taste attracts diners who line up at night market stalls and restaurants in Haikou, and as far as Beijing, where it serves as a base soup for hotpot.