Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival with a bite of the best rice dumplings in Singapore. They’re a total treat!
According to Chinese folklore, glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves (also known as bak chang or zong zi) are a symbol of tribute during Dragon Boat Festival (it falls on 3 June this year). Legend has it that these dumplings were thrown into a river where a famous Chinese poet drowned himself – to prevent the fishes from eating his body. Now, they’re a seasonal Chinese delicacy typically enjoyed around this time of the year, often stuffed with ingredients such as meat, chestnuts, mushrooms and salted egg yolk. Hungry for a hearty feast? These restaurants are shaking up the scene with traditional and modern renditions of rice dumplings in Singapore.
Best rice dumplings in Singapore
1. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Available from 7 May to 3 June 2022
Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival with rice dumplings from the hotel’s signature Jade Originals range, The Fullerton Classics and new flavours inspired by Nyonya cuisine. Traditionalists will love the timeless five-spice pork rice dumpling, made with pork belly, salted egg yolk, black mushroom, black-eyed peas and chestnuts. For a healthier, vegetarian treat, try the truffle and trio mushroom five-grain version. Or get ‘em both along with HK-style abalone and blue pea Nyonya rice dumplings in the Auspicious Greetings Hamper ($188). Another gift idea: the Golden Treasures Hamper ($138) filled with flavours like hae bee hiam and winter melon, bak kwa with yolk, abalone, and blue pea.
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, order online for delivery or self-collection
2. Dumpling Feast at Resorts World Sentosa
Available from now till 4 June 2022
Put five master chefs together and you get beautiful, modern reimaginations of the traditional rice dumpling. This year’s collection from Resorts World Sentosa features Asian and Western flavours to pair with three aromatic brews from Tea Chapter: imperial pu-er, hong guan yin and artisan floral roast. At Feng Shui Inn, chef Li Kwok Kwong’s eight treasures dumpling is a nod to his grandma’s cooking. This luxurious treat includes ingredients like 10-head abalone, dried scallop, waxed duck, cordyceps flowers, barley and roasted pork belly. Curious about Michelin-starred table65’s first dumpling creation? It’s a combination of smoked eel and pork tendon, with dried golden oysters and chestnuts.
For more unique flavours, try the Australian sanchoku wagyu beef cheek and cured chorizo rice dumpling from chef Danny Fong of Osia Steak & Seafood Grill. Or head over to Syun for the zakkoku okowa dumpling studded with kurobuta pork, sustainably-sourced prawns, sakura ebi, gingko and more. Not a fan of savoury dumplings? Go for the sweet, Thai-style banana one made with coconut milk, red beans, pearl barley and butterfly pea flower. Dumpling sets start from $118 for five, or get the dumpling and tea set for $171.
Dumpling Feast at Resorts World Sentosa, order online for delivery or self-collection
3. Yi by Jereme Leung at Raffles Hotel Singapore
Available from now till 5 June 2022
Blending classic and contemporary for this year’s Dragon Boat Festival, the restaurant crafts a trio of sweet and savoury rice dumplings. A popular fave: abalone and Jinhua ham with Japanese dried scallops, pork belly and chestnuts. But if you’d like to try something new, the braised pork belly with preserved mustard vegetables rice dumpling puts a twist on the classic. On the saccharine side, the butterfly pea flower kee chang is infused with the lovely flavours of Raffles’ signature kaya jam.
Yi by Jereme Leung at Raffles Hotel Singapore, order online for delivery or self-collection
4. Hai Tien Lo at Pan Pacific Singapore
Available from now till 5 June 2022
Getting together with the family? You’ll want rice dumplings to share at the table. Tuck into the restaurant’s signature traditional jumbo version with abalone – it’s generously stuffed with pork belly, salted egg yolk, chestnuts, green bean, lotus seed and whole abalone. Add to your order Taiwanese dumplings with sesame oil chicken, Cantonese pork belly dumplings and traditional Nyonya dumplings packed with pork, candied melon and Japanese mushrooms. Got a sweet tooth? The Teochew dumpling with yam paste and gingko nuts makes a great dessert. Bundles start from $88 if you’re looking for a gift!
Hai Tien Lo at Pan Pacific Singapore, order online for delivery or self-collection
5. Man Fu Yuan at InterContinental Singapore
Available from now till 3 June 2022
Take your pick from a selection of eight classic and contemporary treats from the Chinese fine dining restaurant. We’re eyeing the epic newbie: XXL jumbo rice dumpling with ginger chicken, mushroom, Chinese sausage and salted yolk. Or, try the new mala pork belly and abalone creation. Popular classics include the XO sauce Nyonya rice dumpling with winter melon, minced pork and dried shrimp, and the black bean chicken dumpling with chestnut and mushroom. Want a dessert rendition? Opt for flavours like black sesame and red bean with orange peel. Gift sets of five dumplings (from $99.80) are also available, along with pu-er tea or a bottle of prosecco.
Man Fu Yuan at InterContinental Singapore, order online for delivery or self-collection
6. Crystal Jade
Available from now till 3 June 2022
Whenever Dragon Boat Festival rolls around, Crystal Jade is a classic choice for traditional and modern rice dumplings. We’re loving the new roasted Iberico pork belly with Hokkaido conpoy for a smoky, savoury and meaty meal. Another addition to the selection: the petite peach gum with yuzu peel crystal jelly dumpling. It’s a lovely sweet and citrusy treat embedded with wolfberries. Other options include HK-style abalone with Hokkaido conpoy and five-spice marinated pork with chestnuts, salted egg yolk and mung beans. Order the trio bundle ($31.40) for the fam!
Crystal Jade, order online for delivery or self-collection
7. Thye Moh Chan
Available from now till 3 June 2022
For a pocket-friendly rice dumpling feast, head to Thye Moh Chan and enjoy scrumptious flavours. Choose from two popular options, both slow-cooked for hours and hand-wrapped in bamboo leaves. The Teochew Double Delight is a signature creation generously packed with chestnuts and tau sar filling, plus pork belly and shiitake mushrooms braised in a mix of five-spice powder, coriander powder and pepper. But if you’d like to go the classic route, opt for the Teochew salted egg version featuring pandan-scented glutinous rice, salted egg yolk, pork belly, shiitake mushrooms and fried dried shrimp. Get six in a bundle ($40.80) and receive a complimentary one!
Thye Moh Chan, order online or at Thye Moh Chan, BreadTalk and Toast Box stores
8. TungLok Group
Available from now till 3 June 2022
Round up the fam and feast on dumplings for Dragon Boat Festival! TungLok’s selection takes you from XO pork belly to pork belly with preserved veggies to oat rice with mushrooms. Add a couple of honey date ones to your order for a sweet end to the meal. Oh, and if you’re not feeling the tea pairing, you can complement your dumplings (in a bundle of six) with three bottled cocktails for $65.
TungLok Group, order online or at any TungLok restaurant including Tong Le Private Dining, Qin Restaurant & Bar and TungLok Signatures
9. Shang Palace at Shangri-La Singapore
Available from now till 3 June 2022
At the Michelin-starred Shang Palace, rice dumplings are plump parcels of hand-wrapped goodness. You’ve gotta try the new truffle pork with salted egg! Another addition to the lineup: black glutinous rice with Japanese purple sweet potato custard and mochi dough. Plus, a veggie version with dried sarcodon, vegan chicken and organic grains. Of course, classic favourites are available too. Take your pick from traditional Nyonya with minced pork and salted egg or barbecued pork with Yunnan ham and conpoy. If you’re on the hunt for gift sets, the ones here start from $68 for an assortment of dumplings.
Shang Palace at Shangri-La Singapore, order online for delivery or self-collection
Find your fave rice dumplings in Singapore and stick to ’em!
