Dragon Boat Festival is one of Singapore’s most delicious traditions. Every year, families gather around steaming parcels of glutinous rice packed with everything from pork belly and salted egg yolks to chestnuts and mushrooms. While classic flavours remain timeless, many brands are also introducing exciting new interpretations that keep the festival fresh.
From heritage recipes passed down through generations to luxurious hotel creations and even ice cream versions of the humble bak chang, here are four brands worth checking out this Dragon Boat Festival.
1. Shangri-La Singapore: For Luxury Rice Dumplings
Photo © Shang Palace
If you’re looking to splurge or send an impressive gift, Shangri-La Singapore’s annual collection from Shang Palace remains one of the most luxurious in town.
The standout is undoubtedly the Shang Palace Signature Barbecued Pork Rice Dumpling with Yunnan Ham and Conpoy. At 650g, this generously sized dumpling is packed with premium ingredients including Yunnan ham, dried scallops, roasted duck, pork belly, salted egg yolk, chestnuts and lotus seeds. Every bite delivers layers of savoury umami that justify its cult following year after year.
Photo © Shang Palace
This year’s new creations are equally tempting. The Preserved Vegetables Rice Dumpling with Pork Belly draws inspiration from the comforting home-style dish of braised pork belly with mei cai, while the Vegan Blue Pea Nyonya Rice Dumpling with Impossible Meat and Chestnut offers a plant-based take on the beloved Peranakan classic. Those with a sweet tooth should not miss the Gula Melaka Rice Dumpling, infused with the rich caramel notes of Southeast Asia’s favourite palm sugar.
For gifting, the Heritage of Asia Rice Dumpling Gift Set is particularly interesting, featuring flavours inspired by dishes from around the region, including Hainanese Chicken Rice Dumpling, Thai Green Curry Chicken Rice Dumpling and a luxurious Fujian-style dumpling with abalone and sea cucumber.
2. Joo Chiat Kim Choo: For Heritage Flavours
Photo © Joo Chiat Kim Choo
Few brands are as synonymous with rice dumplings as Joo Chiat Kim Choo.
The heritage brand continues to handcraft its dumplings using an 80-year-old family recipe featuring 22 ingredients and spices. In fact, each batch takes more than eight days and 21 meticulous steps to prepare, from soaking bamboo leaves to hand-wrapping every dumpling.
Its signature Nyonya Rice Dumpling remains a perennial favourite. Filled with braised pork and winter melon and seasoned with the brand’s secret spice blend, it delivers the sweet-savoury flavour profile that many Singaporeans grew up with.
For something more indulgent, the Emperor’s Rice Dumpling lives up to its regal name. Packed with premium braised pork belly, dried scallops, lup cheong, salted egg yolk, chestnuts, ginkgo nuts and shiitake mushrooms, it’s a substantial dumpling that’s loaded with ingredients right down to the final bite.
Those who enjoy exploring dialect-style dumplings can also choose from Teochew, Hakka, Cantonese and Hokkien varieties, making Joo Chiat Kim Choo one of the most comprehensive destinations for traditional rice dumplings in Singapore.
3. Thye Moh Chan: For Authentic Teochew Bak Chang
Photo © Thye Moh Chan
Known for preserving Teochew culinary traditions, Thye Moh Chan once again brings back its handcrafted Teochew-style rice dumplings.
Unlike the more savoury Hokkien or Cantonese varieties, Teochew bak chang is distinguished by its unique sweet-and-savoury flavour profile. Each dumpling is wrapped and slow-cooked for more than 2.5 hours, resulting in fragrant rice and deeply developed flavours.
The Teochew Double Delight Bak Chang is perhaps the most representative of the style, featuring pork belly, shiitake mushrooms, chestnuts and homemade sweet tau sar. The contrast between savoury meat and sweet bean paste may sound unusual to the uninitiated, but it is exactly what Teochew rice dumpling lovers seek out.
Other highlights include the Teochew Salted Egg Bak Chang with whole salted egg yolk and pork belly, as well as the Teochew Mushroom Chang, a meatless option filled with shiitake mushrooms, chestnuts and dried radish.
As a festive bonus, customers who purchase selected bundles will receive a complimentary limited-edition cooler bag inspired by traditional Teochew embroidery.
4. Swensen’s: For Something Completely Different
Not every rice dumpling has to be traditional.
Swensen’s has built a loyal following for its annual ice cream rice dumplings, and this year’s launch may be its most eye-catching yet. The new Strawberry Matcha Rice Dumpling Ice Cream replaces glutinous rice with strawberry matcha ice cream encased within an edible chocolate shell shaped like a traditional zongzi.
The combination of earthy matcha and sweet strawberry feels particularly suited to Singapore’s warm weather. For health-conscious diners, there’s also a Strawberry Matcha Zer0 Giant Rice Dumpling Ice Cream made with a sugar-alternative blend and additional dietary fibre.
Returning alongside it is the popular Pulut Hitam Rice Dumpling Ice Cream. Made with purple rice ice cream and black glutinous rice bits, it even hides a surprise chocolate “salted egg yolk” centre within, cleverly mimicking a traditional bak chang.
Whether you’re after a luxurious gift, a nostalgic heritage flavour or a playful modern interpretation, there’s a rice dumpling for every palate this Dragon Boat Festival.
