Hainan sweet coconut tapioca soup. [Photo/VCG]

Hainan sweet coconut tapioca soup is a must-try refreshment if you visit the island. Coconut milk is a wonderful ingredient that provides the soup with authentic Hainan flavor, highlighting the deep connection between Hainan and the cuisine of Vietnam, which is situated just across the water from Hainan's western coast. 

Hainan sweet coconut tapioca soup. [Photo/VCG]

You might not realize that tapioca pearls, another key ingredient of the soup, also come from tropical palm trees, particularly the sago palm. Together with fresh sweet melons or mango and a dash of coconut rum (optional but we heartily recommend it), these ingredients come together to make the perfect summer refreshment to enjoy after a long day exploring Hainan’s tropical beaches, mountains, and jungle rainforests.

Sweet melons and other fruits make the soup more delicious. [Photo/VCG]

en.visithainan.gov.cn contributed to the story.