Xiao Xiao, a tourist from Beijing, is among those captivated by the tangy flavor of zaopocu in Haikou.

"Salty, sour, spicy, with a hint of understated sweetness, the combination of so many flavors suits me perfectly. It pairs wonderfully with seafood. The taste is strong, but not overpowering. It's not overly spicy, oily, or sour, but strikes a fine balance that enhances the natural sweetness of the food," she says.

Coffee is another hallmark of the island's culinary scene, with plantations and drinking habits introduced by the Chinese returning from Southeast Asia.

In Wanning's Xinglong town, home to many overseas Chinese who returned, several farms cultivate coffee trees. Xinglong coffee beans are typically on every tourist's souvenir list before leaving Hainan.