Whether you like them sweet or savoury, these glutinous rice dumplings are the best for celebrating Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong.
Good news, Honeys – yet another long weekend is around the corner! In 2024, the Dragon Boat Festival lies on Monday 10 June, and not only is that day a public holiday, but it’s also the occasion for zongzi (粽子), or glutinous rice dumplings. While they’re all pyramid-shaped and wrapped in aromatic bamboo leaves, Northern Chinese rice dumplings are traditionally sweet, filled with bean paste and jujube; whereas Southern Chinese ones are savoury, stuffed with pork belly and salted egg. No matter you prefer them sweet or savoury, luckily for us, we’re blessed with plenty of choices and flavours here in the 852. Here are our top picks for the best rice dumplings in Hong Kong this year.
Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival 2024 with these rice dumplings in Hong Kong
1. Ming Court, Cordis, Hong Kong
Michelin-starred eatery Ming Court is once again presenting an elevated take of the classic festive flavours of rice dumplings for Dragon Boat Festival 2024. Executive Chef Li Yuet Faat and his team have incorporated high-quality ingredients to create the delectable Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Whole Abalone, Conpoy, Roasted Duck Meat, Jinhua Ham, Salted Egg Yolk, and Shiitake Mushroom ($368); and the Black Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Aged Dried Tangerine Peel, Red Bean Paste, and Lotus Seed ($128). Additionally, you can pair your rice dumplings with Homemade Ming Court XO Sauce ($298), Homemade Caramelised Walnuts ($138), Ming’s Tea ($198), and the Supreme Barbecued Pork Loin Gift Box ($238) for wonderful bursts of flavours.
Available until 9 June, Ming Court’s rice dumplings can be ordered by completing this order form and sending it to the restaurant via email
Ming Court, Level 6, Cordis, Hong Kong, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, p. 3552 3028
2. The Peninsula Boutique
The traditional zongzi is reimagined and elevated by The Peninsula Boutique as adorable zongzi-shaped cookies with salted egg yolk ($238). A collection of inventive delights are making an appearance this year, like the Brown Sugar Egg Roll with Mandarin Peel & Palmier Gift Box ($388); Dragon Boat Festival Edition Butter Cookies ($258); Dragon Boat Festival Edition Peninsula Blend Tea Cookie ($258); and Dragon Boat Festival Edition Loose Tea Leaves ($308). Of course, The Peninsula Boutique’s scrumptious traditional Rice Dumpling with Pork Belly and XO Sauce ($460) is also returning in an iconic cooler bag for extra flair!
Order The Peninsula Boutique’s rice dumplings online.
The Peninsula Boutique & Café, The Peninsula Arcade, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2696 6969
3. Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong
Make your Dragon Boat Festival extra festive this year with delectable rice dumplings from Man Ho Chinese Restaurant. This Michelin-starred eatery is offering three different rice dumplings: Cantonese-style Man Ho Dried Abalone Glutinous Rice Dumpling; the sweet and savoury Man Ho Red Bean and Pork Glutinous Rice Dumpling; and the indulgent Man Ho Hokkien Glutinous Rice Dumpling. The Man Ho Dried Abalone Glutinous Rice Dumpling, and Red Bean and Pork Glutinous Rice Dumpling are presented as a pair for a gift set ($538). Another gift set with two Man Ho Hokkien Glutinous Rice Dumplings can be bought in either a modest thermal bag ($388) or an elegant gift box ($448).
Order Man Ho’s glutinous rice dumplings via the JW Marriott Hotel’s e-shop. Pick-up is available from 1 to 10 June.
Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, 3/F, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, p. 2810 8366
4. Hotel Icon
Feeling adventurous? Try something different for the 2024 Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong with Hotel Icon’s rice dumplings! Renowned for its durian delicacies, the hotel has transformed the traditional sweet rice dumplings with the rich flavours and aromas of this fruit. The Rainbow Sweet Dumpling with Durian, Pandan, and Kaya ($238) is a delightful treat that combines the chewy fruit with fresh pandan juice and kaya. If you’re not a fan of durian, Hotel Icon’s savoury Truffle Dumpling with Yunnan Ham, Conpoy, and Abalone ($298) is a flavourful alternative, best enjoyed with a drizzle of chilli oil.
Available until 9 June, place your orders via the e-shop. Your dumplings will be ready for collection from 3 to 9 June.
Hotel Icon, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 3400 1000
5. Yat Tung Heen, Eaton HK
Authentic, Michelin-starred Cantonese eatery Yat Tung Heen is getting into the Dragon Boat spirit with its delicious Deluxe Whole Abalone Rice Dumpling with Conpoy ($328). These dumplings are handmade with whole abalone, salted egg yolk, dried scallops, roasted goose, and aromatic mushrooms. In addition, to cater to non-meat eaters and those who are more health-conscious, OmniPork Vegetarian Rice Dumpling ($298) will be available, so that you can enjoy a flavourful treat that’s also rich in nutritional value. Conceptualised by the talented Chef Tam, the dumplings will come in recyclable dark green envelopes adorned with traditional woven knots, which can be repurposed after use.
Order Yat Tung Heen’s rice dumplings online and redeem them from 3 to 9 June.
Yat Tung Heen, Level B2, Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan, Hong Kong, p. 2710 1093
6. Hung Tong, Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong
Kerry Hotel’s Hung Tong has two delectable offerings for you to choose from. Firstly, the Hung Tong Deluxe Dumplings Trio ($338) features three delightful dumplings. Savoury options include the Iberico Pork and Conpoy Rice Dumpling; and the Salted Egg Yolk and Salted Pork with Black Glutinous Rice Dumpling. Secondly, your dumpling feast is made complete with the Alkaline Rice Dumpling with Red Bean Paste. Alternatively, the Hung Tong Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Chinese Ham and Conpoy ($328) is the ideal sharing treat.
Available until 9 June, place your orders online at the Shangri-La Boutique for collection from Kerry Hotel’s Festive Counter.
Hung Tong, Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong, Level 7, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, p. 2252 5279
7. Jiangsu Club
Returning for the second year in a row, Jiangsu Club’s handcrafted rice dumplings guarantee to elevate your Dragon Boat Festival celebrations. Delight in two classic recipes: the savoury Jiangsu Handmade Traditional Abalone, Pork, and Egg Yolk Sticky Rice Dumpling ($108) has a complex flavour profile, while the Jiangsu Handmade Traditional Red Bean Sticky Rice Dumpling ($88) infuses the floral aromas of osmanthus and the sweetness of red dates with red bean paste. Finally, these dumplings are available individually and as a set in the Jiangsu Handmade Traditional Sticky Rice Dumpling Combo ($180).
Available until 10 June, place your orders in store or by calling for collection at the restaurant.
Jiangsu Club, 2/F, Alliance Building, 130-136 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, p. 6230 8973
8. Yuè, Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel
For Dragon Boat Festival 2024, Yuè at Sheraton Tung Chung has unveiled a variety of homemade sweet and savoury rice dumplings: the Abalone Rice Dumpling ($298); Whole Conpoy and Pork Belly Rice Dumpling ($198); Sweetened Red Bean and Aged Tangerine Peel Rice Dumpling ($148); and of course the Vegetarian Rice Dumpling ($148). If you can’t get enough of these scrumptious delights, order the Gourmet Rice Dumpling Combo ($438) with one Sweetened Red Bean and Aged Tangerine Peel Rice Dumpling, one Whole Conpoy and Pork Belly Rice Dumpling, and one Vegetarian Rice Dumpling.
Order Yuè’s rice dumplings online via the e-shop. Note that they’re only available for pick-up until 9 June.
Yuè, 2/F, Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel, 9 Yi Tung Road Tung Chung, Tung Chung, Hong Kong, p. 2535 0028
9. Jade Garden
Packed with premium ingredients, Jade Garden’s rice dumplings are as nutritious as they are delicious. Star of the savoury options is the Sea Urchin and Fish Maw Rice Dumpling ($141). This rich and flavourful creation combines two of the most coveted ingredients in Cantonese cuisine, making this dumpling a must-try! Equally delicious among the savoury selection are the Scallop and Squid Dumpling ($119) and the Roasted Goose and Pork Rice Dumpling ($111). On the sweet side, the Kaya Sweet Dumpling ($52) weaves a taste of Southeast Asia into the traditional treat. Furthermore, the Mandarin Peel and Bean Sweet Rice Dumpling ($52) elevates the flavours of sweet red bean paste with the subtle aromas of coveted aged mandarin peel.
Available individually, in the Supreme and Sweet Treats Dumpling Gift Set, or in the Star Trio Rice Dumpling Gift Set, Jade Garden’s dumplings can be ordered via the e-shop.
Jade Garden has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
10. Nam Fong, Le Meridien Hong Kong, Cyberport
Cantonese restaurant Nam Fong is proudly introducing three glutinous rice dumplings gift sets for this year’s Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong. Made with traditional craftsmanship and high-quality glutinous white rice, these dumplings offer an authentic flavour with savoury and sweet fillings. The Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Pork, Green Mung Bean, and Egg Yolk ($198), Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Iberico Pork and Yunnan Ham ($228), and Assorted Glutinous Rice Dumplings with Handcrafted Sauce Deluxe Package ($308) all come in a washable drawstring gift bag with a timeless green-striped design. Finally, in keeping with Le Meridien Hong Kong, Cyberport’s sustainable concept, the gift bag is reusable and perfect for future bento boxes and to-go lunches.
Order Nam Fong’s rice dumplings online and redeem them from 20 May to 9 June. Be sure to seize the early bird discounts before 2 June!
Nam Fong, L3, Le Meridien Hong Kong, Cyberport, 100 Cyberport Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, p. 2980 7410
11. Cuisine Cuisine
Back by popular demand, Cuisine Cuisine’s Double Blessing Rice Dumpling Duo ($668) is sure to elevate your Dragon Boat Festival feast. Bite into the Dried Abalone, Conpoy, and Premium Cured Ham Dumpling, and savour the complex flavours of these sought-after ingredients. Equally important is the Tokachi Red Bean, Chestnut, and Osmanthus Rice Dumpling. This creation elevates the humble sweet rice dumpling with velvety chestnuts and the subtle aromas of osmanthus. Pro tip: Cuisine Cuisine’s savoury creations are best enjoyed with a dollop of XO sauce. Finally, take your pick from the restaurant’s homemade selection or opt for the Double Blessing Rice Dumpling Duo with Premium XO Sauce ($938).
Get your dumplings at Cuisine Cuisine’s locations or order online from the Mira eShop.
Cuisine Cuisine has locations in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.
[This article was originally published in May 2022 and updated in 2024 by Celia Lee.]
