Cover Heritage of Asia gift set by Shang Palace

Savour these exclusive rice dumplings ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival this June 22

The Dragon Boat Festival is a time for epic dragon boat races, lively water sports, and, most excitingly, rice dumplings. Also known as ‘zong zi’ or ‘bak zhang’, these triangular dumplings are made with glutinous rice and sweet or savoury fillings, and steamed in pandan leaves. This year, you’ll be spoilt for choice with this year’s offering of specialty rice dumplings prepared by some of the island’s top chefs; these range from savoury versions with premium Iberico pork and sweeter Nyonya offerings that will satisfy your taste buds. Here’s our guide to the best rice dumplings to get this Dragon Boat Festival in 2023.

Don't miss: The Different Types of Rice Dumplings

1. Din Tai Fung

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Above Red bean dumpling at Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung presents their delightful red bean rice dumplings just in time for the highly anticipated Dragon Boat Festival. These exquisite delicacies are air-flown from Taiwan, guaranteeing an authentic flavour. Each dumpling is a culinary masterpiece, meticulously handcrafted using top-grade pearl glutinous rice. The soft and chewy rice exterior embraces a richly mashed red bean paste filling, creating a symphony of flavors and textures.

For those seeking the comforts of home, Din Tai Fung offers their popular frozen rice dumplings. Encased in aromatic bamboo leaves and molded into unique bamboo shapes, these dumplings ensure convenient and even steaming. From 22nd May to 25th June, seize the opportunity to bring the essence of the Dragon Boat Festival to your dining table with these frozen Red Bean Rice Dumplings.

Buy it on food.order.place/home/brand/49218922688512.

2. Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant

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Above Mala wild mushroom dumpling at Li Bai

You can’t go wrong with the rice dumplings at Li Bai Chinese Restaurant, which presents two indulgent new creations alongside two crowd-pleasers that will light up your Dragon Boat Festival. The first new creation sees a marinated Kurobuta pork belly, cordyceps flower, sea cucumber, morel and Chinese mushrooms, salted egg yolk, mung bean, lotus seed, and chestnut stuffed within glutinous rice. The other is a vegetarian mala wild mushroom dumpling. It’s sure to be a hot favourite with its the monkey head, portobello, king oyster, white king oyster, fresh button, and Chinese mushrooms stir-fried in mala sauce for a numbing yet umami kick.

Traditional rice dumplings are also on offer, as is the abalone and pumpkin rice dumpling that expertly blends sweet with briny alongside salted egg, chestnut, and pork.

Buy it on shopatsheratonfestive.oddle.me/en_SG.

Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant
Chinese   |   $ $ $   |  

39 Scotts Road, Sheraton Towers Singapore, S(228230)

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3. Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant

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Above 5-head abalone, dried mullet roe pouch and Iberico pork rice dumpling by Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant

Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant at the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel never misses, and it’s the same for its new dumpling lineup this Dragon Boat Festival. Here, sink your teeth into premium delights like an oolong tea smoked roasted Irish duck dumpling, which balances the juicy, tender duck meat with the tannic earthiness of the oolong tea. Elsewhere, five-head abalone meets its match with karasumi (dried mullet roe pouch) and Iberico pork in the same dumpling, promising a bust of flavours and textures that will have you reaching for more.

Buy it on celebratorydelights.com/product-category/festive/rice-dumplings.

Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant
Chinese   |   $ $   |  

320 Orchard Road, Level 3, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, S(238865)

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4. Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant

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Above Abalone and cumin pork rice dumpling at Xin Cuisine

Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant is offering an abalone and cumin pork rice dumpling from May 17 to June 22, and it’s sure to spice up your Dragon Boat Festival. The delicate flavour and firm texture of the abalone is an unusual bedfellow with the bolder cumin pork, but it works with a harmoniously blend of flavours that complements the chewy glutinous rice. Even better, each piece weighs 380 grams, larger than your average rice dumpling which is guaranteed to fill your stomach.

Buy it on holiday-inn-singapore-atrium-estore.myshopify.com/collections/dumplings-bak-chang.

Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant
Chinese   |   $ $   |  

317 Outram Road Level 4, Holiday Inn Atrium S(169075)

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5. Man Fu Yuan

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Above Indulgence Bundle (with a botte of Belstar Prosecco) at Man Fu Yuan

You’re in for a treat with Man Fu Yuan’s four new handcrafted rice dumplings crafted specially for this year’s Dragon Boat Festival, and available from May 22 to June 22. The star of the lineup is the classic Cantonese XL rice dumpling, weighing a whopping 1 kg and stuffed with five-head South African abalone, five-spice pork belly, dried shrimps, roasted duck, chestnuts, duck’s egg yolk, mushrooms, dried conpoy, lotus seeds, homemade pickled radish, and red quinoa. It’s a brilliant blend of salty and savoury that’s limited to only 88 pieces, so make sure to snag your piece early.

Other premium offerings include a cured Kurobuta pork dumpling with sambal dried shrimps and black trumpet mushrooms for a burst of umami, as well as the vegetarian and halal Japanese sweet potato with sesame rice dumpling. If you’re looking for more classic versions, however, Man Fu Yuan still has got you covered, with a traditional Hokkien-style rice dumpling with five-spice pork belly, chestnuts and mushrooms, or a sweeter Nyonya-style rice dumpling with minced pork and winter melon, with an extra spicy kick with the XO sauce.

Buy it on intercontinentaltakeaway.oddle.me/en_SG.

Read more: Dragon Boat Festival 2022: 10 Best Dumplings to Indulge In

Man Fu Yuan
Chinese   |   $ $ $   |  

80 Middle Road, Level 2 InterContinental Hotel, S(188966)

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6. Hai Tien Lo

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Above Hai Tien Lo rice dumplings

Share luxurious rice dumplings with your loved ones with Hai Tien Lo’s selection of rice dumplings this Dragon Boat Festival. Traditionalists will be pleased with the traditional jumbo rice dumpling with abalone, which is embedded with pork belly, salted egg yolk, whole dried scallops, chestnut, green bean, lotus seed and a whole abalone for a touch of indulgence. If not, the Szechuan mala chicken rice dumpling features an exciting blend of chicken thigh, black fungus, Chinese rice wine, Szechuan peppercorns and lotus root. For a sweeter offering, go for the black glutinous Nyonya rice dumpling, a rendition of the Indonesian dessert pulut hitam that combines black and white glutinous rice, pork, candied melon, and Japanese mushrooms. If not, the halal Teochew dumpling with yam paste and gingko nut will surely appeal to your taste buds.

Buy it on panpacificsingapore.oddle.me/en_SG.

Hai Tien Lo
Chinese   |   $ $ $   |  

7 Raffles Boulevard, Level 3, Marina Square, S(039595)

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7. Joo Chiat Kim Choo

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Above Four Heavenly Kings gift set by Joo Chiat Kim Choo

The rice dumplings at Joo Chiat Kim Choo has always been a must-try—don’t miss out on their exclusive gift sets curated especially for this Dragon Boat Festival throughout May and June. The Four Heavenly Kings gift set, for instance, presents rice dumplings done in the traditional style of the four biggest Chinese ethnic groups in Singapore, the Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, and Hakka. The Petite Treasures gift set, on the other hand, comes in sweet and savoury versions. The Nyonya rice dumpling is a savoury option that’s not to be missed, pairing wonderfully with the complex umami of Hae Bee Hiam sambal, while the kee zhang (alkaline rice dumplings) in the sweet version are best enjoyed with house-made kaya and coconut jam that’s perfect for dessert.

Elsewhere, the Emperor’s Heirloom gift set is an impressive and luxurious set with a total of six premium rice dumplings, including the Emperor’s Rice Dumpling, indulgently filled with braised pork, dried scallops, lup cheong (Chinese sausage), salted egg yolk, shiitake mushrooms, and a secret blend of 22 spices. If you’re missing the rice dumplings of your childhood, the Memory Trove gift set is not to be missed, featuring a total of eight rice dumplings and a traditional kueh salat cake, gloriously infused with pandan. 

Buy it on joochiatkimchoo.com.sg.

Joo Chiat Kim Choo, 77 Circuit Road, 01-450, S(370077)

8. Yì by Jereme Leung

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Lafer @ Maxwell Market, Singapore
Above Yì by Jereme Leung rice dumplings

An exciting array of sweet and savoury rice dumplings await you at Yì by Jereme Leung, from May 22 to June 22. A butterfly pea flower kee chang is chef Jereme Leung’s spin on the traditional alkaline dumpling, delighting with its vibrant blue-violet hue and its accompanying Raffles signature kaya jam. Elsewhere, a braised five-spice braised pork belly is enhanced with tangy preserved mustard vegetables, or go with Yì’s newest offering—a 12-head abalone folded in with Sakura ebi shrimp, salted egg yolk, chestnut, lotus seeds, pork belly, Japanese dried scallops, sliced mung bean, and premium preserved meats. It’s a beautiful blend of traditional flavours and premium updated flavours that will add a flair to your Dragon Boat Festival celebration. 

Buy it on rafflesgrabandgo.com.

Yi by Jereme Leung
Chinese   |   $ $ $   |  

1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673

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9. Resorts World Sentosa

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Above Resorts World Sentosa rice dumplings

You’ll be spoilt for choice with Resorts World Sentosa’s premium package of six rice dumplings, handcrafted specially by each of its restaurant brands. The headlining dumpling is Feng Shui Inn’s eight treasures foie gras dumpling, crafted by Hong Kong native executive chef Li Kwok Kwong who pays homage to his family’s traditional recipe with slow-cooked pork belly, roselle, shiitake mushroom, chestnut, mung bean, and sweet potato. 

But if you’re looking for rice dumplings with a twist, look no further than Chifa’s Peruvian duck Juane dumpling, featuring Chinese-style roasted duck, purple potatoes and coriander with South American spices delivering a powerful punch. Or look for Soi Social’s vegetarian homage to Thai grilled sticky rice, featuring Thai sweet potato and coconut to create a crunchy yet moist texture.

Buy it on rwsentosa.com/ajourneyofflavours.

Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, S(098269)

10. Crystal Jade

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Above Crystal Jade rice dumpling

Beloved by Singaporeans, Crystal Jade is coming up with an exciting lineup of rice dumplings from May 2 to June 22. Among the new dumplings on offer is the scallion oil chicken, perfuming the tender chicken thigh with the aromatic umami of spring onions, cut through with the saltiness of the preserved radish. If you're looking for sweeter dumplings, the vegetarian red bean paste dumpling with aged tangerine peel will satisfy your sweet tooth expertly. The jumbo-sized Hong Kong style abalone dumpling, however, is not to be missed out—wrapped with reed leaves and a large lotus leaf in a rectangle, it's a sumptuous treat with a whole 10-head abalone, Hokkaido dried scallop, roast pork and duck and others.

Buy it on crystaljade.com/index.

11. Shang Palace

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Above Heritage of Asia gift set by Shang Palace

Expect exquisite treats at one Michelin-starred Shang Palace at Shangri-La Singapore, where executive Chinese chef Daniel Cheung has come up with exciting new rice dumplings alongside popular signatures from Mat 26 to June 22. The red bean dumpling, for one, is a sweet offering combining sweet red bean paste with 20-year tangerine peel for an aged and complex flavour, wrapped in mochi dough for extra chewiness. Glutinous rice and rock rice, grown in the mountains bordering Nepal and China, is then used to wrap these treasures inside for a luxurious yet health-minded treat. If you’re vegan, look out for the plant-based meat dumpling, paired with traditional ingredients of preserved vegetables, shimeiji mushrooms, peanuts, and black-eyed beans as a dignified nod to the past. The rice is a mix of low glycemic index brown rice and glutinous rice, making this a hearty delight.

Don’t miss out on Shang Palace’s signature barbecued pork rice dumpling, with a heavy savoury note thanks to the aged Yunnan ham slices, roasted duck, pork belly, salted egg yolk and more. To add an extra cheer to your Dragon Boat Festival celebrations, get the Heritage of Asia gift set, which packs together six new and signature creations.

Shang Palace
Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |  

22 Orange Grove Road, Lobby Level, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, S(258350)

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12. Golden Peony

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Above Singapore black pepper chilli crab with prawn and Bedford scallops

Executive Chinese chef Ku Keung kicks off the Dragon Boat Festival with a series of five rice dumplings at Golden Peony, each blending classic flavours with new tastes. Among his two new creations is the Hakka-style braised pork belly rice dumpling mixed with preserved vegetables, as well as the five-grain plant-based meat dumpling, making this a wholesome offering for vegetarians. If not, rely on favourites like the Singapore black pepper chilli crab, which delivers a spicy punch with the decadent additions of prawn and Bedford scallops. A green tea lotus paste and lotus seed paste rounds off the savoury offerings with the perfect balance of earthy and sweet profiles.

Golden Peony
Chinese   |   $ $ $   |  

2 Temasek Boulevard, Level 3 Conrad Centennial Singapore, S(038983)

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13. Summer Palace

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Above Steamed abalone dumpling with Kurobota pork by Summer Palace

Dim sum chef Leong Kwok Sing has cooked up four rice dumplings at one Michelin-starred Summer Palace to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival in style. Take classics like the steamed abalone dumpling, coming premium abalone, Kurobota pork, and roast dunk with salted egg yolk and conpoy, as well as the more novel steamed morel mushroom dumpling with black mushrooms and truffle. Made with a mix of five grains, this is the dish for those with health on their minds. For a sweet option, go for the lotus paste rice dumpling, which is served with a wonderfully aromatic osmanthus honey. 

Summer Palace (Singapore)
Chinese   |   $ $ $   |  

1 Cuscaden Road, Level 3, Regent Singapore, S(249715)

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14. Beng Hiang Restaurant

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Above Rice dumplings on offer at Beng Hiang restaurant

Tradition is the word of the hour at Beng Hiang Restaurant, which is delivering a series of expertly crafted traditional rice dumplings this Dragon Boat Festival. From May 22 to June 22, feast on classic offerings like the Hokkien rice dumpling with braised pork belly, dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms and chestnut and generously seasoned with five-spice mix and dark soy sauce, or the Nyonya rice dumpling made with fragrant candied winter melon and five-spiced minced pork. Its sweet flavour is matched with the light pastel blue of the butterfly pea flower-infused glutinous rice for a visual and gustatory treat. 

Beng Hiang Restaurant, 135 Jurong Gateway Road, 02-337, S(600135), +65 6221 6695

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