Dragon Boat Festival 2023 – The Best Rice Dumplings in Singapore

Dragon Boat Festival is fast approaching and it’s time to dive into both traditional and new rice dumpling creations. This year, famous haunts and popular spots have rolled out classics and spanking new flavours that will satisfy all cravings and leave you craving more. Here are our top 5 places to get delicious rice dumplings!

Joo Chiat Kim Choo

Joo Chiat Kim Choo has grown over the years to become the number one rice dumpling brand in Singapore. This year, they have launched 4 gift collection sets featuring mouthwatering rice dumplings that make perfect gifts for both business associates and loved ones.

The new Four Heavenly Kings Gift Set 四大粽王精选礼盒 ($42.90) is a limited edition collection honoring the traditional flavours of the four biggest Chinese ethnic groups in Singapore – the Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, and Hakka. Four handcrafted rice dumplings are made in the traditions and classic flavours of these groups.

The Petite Treasures Gift Set 珍藏精巧礼盒 is available in two variations – Savoury ($42.50) and Sweet ($31.80). The Savoury Petite Treasures comprises a Nyonya Rice Dumpling, a Hokkien Rice Dumpling with Salted Egg, and a Hokkien Rice Dumpling, which are best paired with homemade Hae Bee Hiam Sambal. The Sweet Petite Treasures comes with five kee zhang, and a generous serving of homemade caramel kaya.

The Emperor’s Heirloom Gift Set 皇家珍宝礼盒 ($168) is a custom-made two-tier box in elegant rose gold hue packed with six pieces of premium Emperor’s Rice Dumplings, and a beautiful rose gold fork in a sophisticated red velvet drawstring pouch. The box can be reused as a versatile vanity case as well as a stunning serving tray, adding to the gift’s value and longevity.

Gift sets will be available online, at its flagship store at 77 Circuit Road, and at its pop-up stores islandwide throughout the months of May and June. Prices may vary. For more information, please visit https://joochiatkimchoo.com.sg/

Crystal Jade Group

Every Dragon Boat Festival, Crystal Jade Group brings both savoury and sweet glutinous rice dumplings studded with delicious combinations of quality ingredients to the table.

This year, as expected, patrons can look forward to new creations — a Scallion Oil Chicken With Preserved Vegetable Cai Po Rice Dumpling 葱油菜脯鸡肉粽 ($8.80 per piece) packed with a fragrance as alluring as that of local chicken rice, nuggets of juicy chicken thigh with the aroma of spring onions, and stir-fried cai po, and a Petite Red Bean Paste With Tangerine Peel Rice Dumpling 精巧珍珠红豆陈皮粽 ($8.80/5 pieces) that’s reminiscent of the popular Chinese sweet dessert : red bean paste with tangerine peel.

Of course, the ever-popular Jumbo-sized Hong Kong Style Abalone Rice Dumpling 豪华鲍鱼裹蒸粽 ($25.80 per piece) with over eight ingredients which include a whole 10-head abalone, top quality Hokkaido conpoy, and roast duck among others, wrapped with an inner layer of reed leaves, then a large lotus leaf, is back on the menu. Fans will, no doubt, be pleased to see the Classic Five Spice Marinated Pork Rice Dumpling 经典五香咸肉粽 ($9.80 per piece) make a return as well. Moist and savoury, this perennial favourite is loaded with all our favourite ingredients — fragrant glutinous rice, juicy pork chunks, sweet chestnuts, salted egg yolk and mung beans. You just can’t go wrong with them!

Each of the four tempting rice dumplings are exceptional picks for enjoying with family, as befitting gifts, or as a tasty meal on its own. Customers can order on the e-store (http://estore.crystaljade.com) and participating outlets from 2 May to 22 June 2023. Collection of orders commences on 29 May until 22 June 2023. Delivery is also available at $18 per location (except Sentosa, Jurong Island and Tuas).

For more information on pre-orders and other e-store exclusive discounts, visit www.crystaljade.com.

Kuriya Japanese Market

Kuriya Japanese Market is bringing a slew of unique Zong-nigiri (Zong x Onigiri, get it?) to the table again this Dragon Boat Festival. Starting from just $3.80, the glutinous rice dumplings, which are shaped like the iconic onigiri and wrapped in seaweed, come in 7 tempting flavours which include two spanking new ones — Abalone Unagi Bak Zhang Onigiri, and Matcha Chocolate Azuki Shiratama Onigiri.

The Abalone Unagi Bak Zhang Onigiri ($4.20) which showcases glutinous rice cooked in an abalone sauce, braised baby abalone, teriyaki unagi kabakayi, shiitake mushrooms and more, is a flavour bomb. Built for those with a sweet-tooth, the Matcha Chocolate Azuki Shiratama Onigiri ($3.80) is made with white chocolate, matcha, azuki beans and Shiratama dumpling.

Making a return from last year’s debut collection are the Nyonya Pork Bak Zhang Onigiri ($3.80) which rocks a lovely shade of blue derived from blue pea flower, the vegetarian-friendly Chestnut Mushroom Bak Zhang Onigiri ($3.80), and the bestselling XO Dried Scallop Bak Zhang Onigiri ($4.20).

The Zong-Nigiri are best eaten warm. Heat them up easily in the microwave for 40 seconds, or steam them for a mere 16 minutes, and dig into them!

You can purchase the Zong-Nigiri in-store (any 2 flavors for $6 – excluding the premium flavours of XO Dried Scallop Bak Zhang Onigiri and Abalone Unagi Bak Zhang Onigiri) or grab a bundle of 4 flavors for $15 (including Pork Bak Zhang Onigiri, Nyonya Pork Bak Zhang Onigiri, Nyonya Chicken Bak Zhang Onigiri, and Chestnut Mushroom Bak Zhang Onigiri) online at https://order.kuriyajapanesemarket.com.sg/

Pan Pacific Singapore

Drum up the Dragon Boat Festival with a sumptuous selection of intricately-handcrafted rice dumplings from Hai Tien Lo (海天楼). The Traditional Jumbo Rice Dumpling with Abalone (极品鲍鱼粿蒸粽 – SGD40 per piece) which is generously filled with pork belly, salted egg yolk, whole dried scallops, chestnuts, green bean, lotus seed and a whole abalone can be enjoyed as a meal, and the new Szechuan Mala Chicken Rice Dumpling (四川麻辣鸡粽 – SGD20 per piece), inspired by the hot and spicy flavours of Szechuan will check all the boxes of Mala lovers.

If you’re craving for a sweet rice dumpling, the Black Glutinous (Pulut Hitam) Nyonya Rice Dumpling (黑金糯米娘惹粽 – SGD17 per piece) which is packed with candied melon, Japanese mushrooms, shallots and garlic, and Teochew Dumpling with Yam Paste and Gingko Nut (潮州白果芋泥粽子 – SGD10 per piece), will no doubt tickle your fancy.

Hai Tien Lo also presents the Premium Rice Dumplings Set (端午金装 – SGD138) and Classic Rice Dumplings Set (端午套装 – SGD98), comprising six dumplings in a range of succulent flavours, packaged with a bottle of Hai Tien Lo’s Signature Homemade Premium XO Chilli Sauce as well as Sweet and Sour Spicy Bean Paste Sauce respectively.

For more information or to order, please call 6826 8240 or visit https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-marina/offers/dragonboat-festival-2023.html. Alternatively, email specialevents.ppsin@panpacific.com or visit panpacificsingapore.oddle.me 

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel

Award-winning Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant’s handcrafted dumplings have always dazzled the palates of both the young and old. This Dragon Boat Festival, gourmands can look forward to five different rice dumplings, of which two are new creations.

Making their debut is the luxurious 5-Head Abalone with Karasumi & Iberico Pork Rice Dumpling ($30 nett) which is loaded with abalone, scallop, succulent Iberico pork, and air-flown Italian karasumi (dried mullet roe), and the unique Oolong Tea Smoked Roasted Irish Duck Rice Dumpling ($20 nett) which draws inspiration from the classic tea-smoked duck. Delicately balanced with preserved salted vegetables, and meticulously prepared for more than 6 hours, the duck rice dumpling is not to be missed.

Making a comeback is the White Pepper Crab Rice Dumpling ($22 nett), an undoubtable local favourite, and, of course, Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant’s Signature Pork & Salted Egg Rice Dumpling ($18 nett) which always hits the spot. The popular vegetarian-friendly Cordyceps Flower & Purple Glutinous Rice Dumpling ($18 nett) with black truffle paste will certainly impress your loved ones again.

Online pre-orders start now at https://bit.ly/whricedumplings. Alternatively, guests may call+65 6831 4605 or email mhrs.sindt.fb.reservations@marriotthotels.com to place an order.

Grab hold of the Early Bird promotion (22 May – 31 May 2023) where the Assorted Rice Dumplings are going for $65 nett (U.P. $78 nett) or check out with the code “RD15” for a 15% discount on online orders (a minimum purchase of four rice dumplings required) from 22 May – 22 June 2023.

Happy Dragon Boat FEAST-ival in advance!