Dragon Boat Festival falls on 3 June this year and we are looking forward to the best rice dumplings or bak chang in 2022 to indulge in.
If you’re wondering what are the flavours to check out, here’s a handy guide for you. There’s everything from traditional flavours to innovative creations – pick what stands out to you!
Traditional rice dumpling flavours
Joo Chiat Kim Choo
For a taste of authentic flavours, household name Joo Chiat Kim Choo certainly comes to mind. A brand that’s loved for decades, its handcrafted dumplings are made following a family recipe passed through generations.
Besides its regular delectable dumpling selections, Joo Chiat Kim Choo has also unveiled a range of redesigned luxurious gift sets of premium handmade rice dumplings this year.
Consider the Emperor’s Heirloom Gift Set (S$158) as an impressive gift for someone you love and respect.
This features the Emperor’s Rice Dumpling, a novel creation featuring indulgent fillings enhanced by Joo Chiat Kim Choo’s secret recipe, which is highlighted with an intricate blend of 22 spices.
Each gift set comprises six premium Emperor’s Dumpling, enclosed in a hexagonal Bynd Artisan handcrafted leatherette box.
Address: 7 Enterprise Road, Singapore 629819 | 724 Ang Mo Kio Central Market & Food Centre #01-15, Singapore 560725 | 77 Circuit Road, #01-450, Singapore 370077
How to order: At any of the outlets or online
Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung is bringing the Red Bean Rice Dumpling, a traditional dish from Taiwan, to us This specially air-flown dumpling is handmade with top-grade pearl glutinous rice and finely mashed red bean. Skilfully wrapped into a unique pillow-shape to allow even steaming, this rice dumpling has a soft and chewy texture that delights.
Address: Multiple Din Tai Fung outlets
Availability: Now till 3 June 2022
Price: S$6.80 per frozen piece, for takeaways only, while servings last
藝yì by Jereme Leung
For Dragon Boat Festival this year, MasterChef Jereme Leung presents a special trio of sweet and savoury rice dumplings that meld traditional and unique ingredients so your tastebuds can be completely tantalised.
The Traditional Abalone & Jinhua Ham Glutinous Rice Dumpling is a returning favourite that features a medley of premium ingredients such as a 12-head abalone, Jinhua ham, Japanese dried scallops, pork belly, chestnuts, and lotus seeds snugly nestled together and wrapped in fragrant bamboo leaves.
There are also two new creations to look forward to this year: the Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Vegetables Rice Dumpling that is generously filled with succulent slices of braised pork belly complemented with preserved mustard vegetables for a refreshing depth of flavours; and the Butterfly Pea Flower Kee Chang, which pairs a nostalgic taste with the rich and aromatic flavours of the popular Raffles Signature Kaya Jam.
Address: 328 North Bridge Road, #03-02 Raffles Arcade, Singapore 188719
Availability: Now till 5 June 2022
Price: Traditional Abalone & Jinhua Ham Glutinous Rice Dumpling at S$49++ per piece (for dine-in and takeaway), Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Vegetables Rice Dumpling at S$22++ per piece (for dine-in and takeaway), and Butterfly Pea Flower Kee Chang with Raffles Signature Kaya Jam at S$28++ for five pieces, including a jar of Raffles Signature Kaya Jam (200g)
How to order: Online for takeaways
Creative rice dumpling flavours
Path
Fancy a Spanish Pork Rice Dumpling? You can get this at Path, which is presenting its first-ever rice dumpling.
This creative dumpling may look like a traditional one with its bamboo leaf wrapping, but open it up and you’ll find the non-traditional ingredients: Spanish pork hock stuffed with glutinous rice, porcini mushrooms, chestnuts, Australian abalone, lup cheong and dang gui or angelica sinensis.
This special rendition by Path is only limited to 50 pieces, while stocks last.
Address: 12 Marina Boulevard, Tower 3, #01-05/06, Marina Bay Financial Centre, Singapore 018982
Availability: 1 to 4 June 2022
Price: S$38++ per dumpling (serves 2) for both dine-in and takeaway
How to order: Order form or call 6443 0180
Resorts World Sentosa
Five master chefs from Resorts World Sentosa have come together with their interpretations of the traditional rice dumpling and you can get them all in a Deluxe Dumpling Set.
The five dumplings include:
- Eight Treasures Dumpling by Chef Li Kwok Kwong of Feng Shui Inn
- Smoked Eel and Pork Tendon Dumpling by Chef de Cuisine Dayal Kesha of Michelin-starred table65
- Beef Cheek Dumpling by Chef Danny Fong of Osia Steak & Seafood Grill
- Zakkoku Okowa Dumpling by Chef Noriyoshi Teruya of Syun
- Sweet Banana Dumpling by Chef Surangkana “Aae” Sub-Anan, Chef de Cuisine of Resorts World
Sentosa
You can learn more about each of these dumplings on the RWS website.
Availability: Now till 4 June 2022
Price: S$118 nett per box of five dumplings
How to order: Online or at Feng Shui Inn and Malaysian Food Street at Resorts World Sentosa
Mr Bean
If you’re vegetarian or looking for healthier rice dumpling options, look no further than any of the three flavourful offerings at Mr Bean:
- Brown Rice Dumpling (S$7.20): This is higher in whole grains and filled with healthy ingredients such as hedgehog mushrooms, black beans, peanuts, and kidney beans, encased in organic brown rice
- Nonya Dumpling (S$4.60): A crowd-favourite vegan option, this is filled with sticky glutinous rice, sweet candied melons and mushroom stems, and textured proteins so you can get a bite that feels meaty.
- Mushroom & Chestnut Dumpling (S$4.60): Filled with savoury mushrooms, moreish chestnuts, and mock meat, this wholesome option is also vegan.
Address: Multiple Mr Bean outlets islandwide
How to order: At any of the outlets or online
Rice dumpling gift sets
Yàn
Yàn commemorates the Dragon Boat Festival with two savoury rice dumplings, each featuring either Cantonese or Sichuan elements.
For a Cantonese-style rice dumpling, try the Steamed Glutinous Rice Dumpling with 6 Head Abalone, Roast Duck and Lotus Seed (八宝鲍鱼莲子鸭粽). The highlight of this delicious rice dumpling is the tender 6-head Australian abalone that is gently braised in superior stock for more than three hours.
The Steamed Spicy Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Black Pork Fillet and Diced Shrimps (蜀味黑豚肉虾粒粽), on the other hand, features robust Sichuan flavours with. Australian black pork tenderloin and dried shrimps are stir-fried with Sichuan peppercorn, Sichuan peppercorn oil, and chilli oil, highlighting the signature bold flavours of the region.
If you’re looking for a gift set, consider Yàn’s takeaway Rice Dumpling Gift Set (粽乐礼盒) that comprises both festive rice dumplings, as well as Yàn’s Homemade Yellow Bean Chilli Sauce, presented in a recyclable paper box adorned with a ribbon.
Address: 1 St Andrew Road, #05-02 National Gallery Singapore, Singapore 178957
Availability: Now till 3 June 2022
Price: Steamed Glutinous Rice Dumpling with 6 Head Abalone, Roast Duck and Lotus Seeds at S$33.80 per piece (for dine-in and takeaway), Steamed Spicy Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Black Pork Fillet and Diced Shrimps at S$22 per piece (for dine-in and takeaway), and Rice Dumpling Gift Set at S$68 per set (for takeaway only).
How to order: Online, call 6384 5585 or WhatsApp 9769 4283
Peach Blossoms
Award-winning Executive Chinese Chef Edward Chong presents a range of rice dumpling flavours this Dragon Boat Festival.
For the most memorable dining experience, go for the Blazing Pig Trotter Rice Dumpling serves four, and is available for dine-in guests only.
Encased in clay and baked to retain the moisture and flavour of the ingredients, the rice dumpling is packed
with juicy pig trotter in fermented beancurd, abalone, conpoy, Japanese flower mushroom and chestnut,
offering varying textures and tastes.
Keep your eyes peeled and cameras ready as the chef breaks the “clay rock” open, revealing the mouth-watering ingredients. It is available daily in limited quantities, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Besides this, you can also go for the Premium XO Cantonese Rice Dumpling (featuring abalone, conpoy, Kurobuta pork belly, smoked duck, Japanese flower mushroom, and complemented by homemade XO sauce), ‘Hakka’ Kurobuta Pork Belly Rice Dumpling (featuring Kurobuta pork belly with fermented beancurd, Japanese flower mushroom, dried shrimp, chestnut, and salted egg yolk, and Hokkaido Sweet Potato ‘Lava’ Rice Dumpling (purple Hokkaido sweet potato custard in butterfly pea glutinous rice).
The Peach Blossoms bundle set that comprises Premium XO Cantonese Rice Dumpling, Traditional ‘Hakka’ Kurobuta Pork Belly Rice Dumpling, Hokkaido Sweet Potato ‘Lava’ Rice Dumpling, and a complimentary jar of Peach Blossoms Homemade Dried Shrimp Chili Paste, is also available as a gifting option.
Address: 6 Raffles Boulevard, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore 039594
Availability: Now till 3 June 2022
Price: Blazing Pig Trotter Rice Dumpling at S$128 per piece (serves 4), Premium XO Cantonese Rice Dumpling at S$38.80 per piece (serves 4), ‘Hakka’ Kurobuta Pork Belly Rice Dumpling at S$20.80 per piece, Hokkaido Sweet Potato ‘Lava’ Rice Dumpling at S$18.80 per piece, and Peach Blossoms bundle set at S$88.80 per set.
How to order: Call 6845 1118 or email [email protected]
Man Fu Yuan
Award-winning Chinese fine-dining restaurant Man Fu Yuan presents eight classic and contemporary dumpling flavours, as well as bundles for gifting for Dragon Boat Festival 2022.
Of the various options available, we recommend the XXL Jumbo Rice Dumpling with Chicken, Mushrooms and Chinese Sausages wrapped in Lotus Leaf (S$39.50 nett). This all-new dumpling flavour is good for a party of four to five people.
For something unique, try the new Spicy Mala Pork Belly and Abalone Rice Dumplings (S$29.50 nett). This features pork belly braised in homemade spicy mala sauce with abalone, mushrooms, and chestnuts.
Address: 80 Middle Road, Level 2 InterContinental Singapore, Singapore 188966
Availability: Now till 3 June 2022
Price: Chinese Rice Dumplings start from S$17.50 nett and gift sets start S$99.80 nett
How to order: Online, email [email protected] or call 6825 1008
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
This Dragon Boat festival, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore presents two rice dumpling collections: Jade Originals and The Fullerton Classics, designed to please different palates.
For the traditionalists at heart, Chinese Executive Chef Leong Chee Yeng from Jade presents three timeless flavours: Nostalgia Five-spice Pork Rice Dumpling, the new Truffle and Trio Mushroom Five-grain Rice Dumpling and the best-selling Traditional Hong Kong-style Abalone Treasure Rice Dumpling. Available for individual purchases, these flavours are also presented in the Auspicious Greetings Hamper.
Launched to celebrate the nostalgic flavours of Singapore’s heritage cuisine, The Fullerton Classics comprise three new flavours: the eye-catching Blue Pea Nyonya Rice Dumpling, Hae Bee Hiam with Winter Melon Rice Dumpling and Gourmet Bak Kwa with Yolk Rice Dumpling. These flavours are available exclusively in the Golden Treasures Hamper.
Address: 1 Fullerton Square, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, Singapore 049178
Availability: Now till 1 June 2022
Price: From S$16 nett for individual dumplings, gift sets start S$138 nett
How to order: Online or at The Fullerton Cake Boutique located at the lobbies of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
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