Best Rice Dumplings in Singapore to Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival 2024

This Rice Dumplings Festival 2024, check out these restaurants and hotels that offer unique and traditional flavours that capture the essence of this time-honoured tradition.

Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant, Sheraton Towers

Li Bai presents a decadent selection of four exquisitely handcrafted rice dumpling creations this year, two of which are new. In a unique iteration of West meets East, the Wagyu Beef Cheek, Pearl Meat and Morel Mushroom Rice Dumpling is a decadent parcel generously filled with a premium assortment of braised Australian Wagyu beef cheek, pearl meat, morel mushroom, dried scallop, salted egg, mung bean, Chinese mushroom, lotus seed and chestnut, enrobed in glutinous rice and red quinoa. The other new bite-sized treat, Golden Kansui (Jianshui) Rice Dumpling, is complemented with Li Bai’s homemade fragrant osmanthus syrup and subtly sweet dragon fruit sauce, promising to delight those with a sweet palate. Those who prefer traditional flavours, fret not — you can order Li Bai’s signature Traditional Rice Dumpling, abundantly packed with quintessential ingredients like pork belly, roast duck, Chinese mushroom, chestnut, salted egg, conpoy and dried shrimp. Or opt for the popular Abalone and Pumpkin Rice Dumpling, filled with whole abalone, pumpkin, Chinese mushroom, pork, salted egg, chestnut, conpoy and mung bean. The dumplings are available for dine-in and takeaway until 10 June 2024. For online orders, visit shopatsheratonfestive.com.

Yi by Jereme Leung, Raffles Hotel Singapore 

This year Chef Jereme Leung has rolled out two new creations. The first, the Yunnan Rose Petal Kee Chang with Raffles Signature Kaya Jam, is richly infused with delicate Yunnan Rose petals that yields gentle pink hues and a floral fragrance and complemented by Raffle’s signature kaya. Another new creation that diners can look forward to is the Bak Kut Teh & Salted Egg Yolk Rice Dumpling, which blends flavours from tender Malaysian-style pork ribs immersed in a herbal and peppery Bak Kut Teh spiced broth with umami golden salted egg yolk. Not forgetting the classics, Yi presents Traditional Eight Treasure 10-Head Abalone Rice Dumpling, a returning favourite packed with eight luxurious ingredients, including 10-head abalone, Sakura Ebi shrimp, salted egg yolk, chestnut, roasted duck, five spiced pork belly, premium dried scallops, and Jinhua ham. The dumplings are available for dine-in, as well as orders and takeaways on Raffles Grab and Go until 10 June 2024.

Shang Palace, Shangri-La Singapore

Elevate your celebration with Shang Palace’s exquisite, handcrafted rice dumplings, each meticulously prepared with premium choice ingredients that capture the essence of tradition with a modern twist. New this year is the standout Fish Maw Pork Knuckle Rice Dumpling. Tender pork knuckle is wrapped in fish maw that has been marinated in a rich broth, forming the rice dumpling’s filling. The dumpling is then steamed for two hours, creating a harmonious blend of flavours. Another noteworthy new addition is the Sweetened Purple Rice Dumpling with Custard. Explore layers of intermingling sweet flavours—from the lava custard centre made from sweet potato to the thin and chewy mochi dough it is encased within, and finally the black and white glutinous rice that forms the outermost layer of the dumpling. For a more traditional take, Shang Palace presents perennial favourites like its Signature Barbecued Pork Rice Dumpling with Yunnan Ham and Conpoy, and the Traditional Nyonya Rice Dumpling. Order online at the hotel’s e-store for self-collection or delivery until 10 June 2024.

Man Fu Yuan, InterContinental Singapore

This year, Man Fu Yuan presents a selection of seven artisanal rice dumplings, including two brand new flavours. Taking centre stage is the Nonya-Style Rice Dumpling with Plant-based Meat, Sweetened Winter Melon, and Mushroom — a sweet and savoury homage to the rich culinary traditions of the Peranakan community that also caters to those seeking a plant-based alternative to traditional dumplings. Those with a penchant for sweetness will enjoy the new Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Red Bean, Honey Date, and Red Date, packed with the natural sweetness of honey dates and the richness of red dates. Making a return this year is last festival’s crowd favourite—the Man Fu Yuan Giant Classic Cantonese Rice Dumpling with Rice Quinoa, which features a generous bounty of premium ingredients such as two 5-ehad South African abalones, five-spiced pork belly, giant dried shrimps, roasted duck, dried conpoy, and red quinoa. Only 88 pieces of this limited-edition flavour will be made available for purchase this year. Other signatures that are making a comeback include the Signature Wild Rice Dumpling with Smoked Duck and Yunnan Black Gold Garlic, and the Traditional Hokkien-Style Rice Dumpling. Man Fu Yuan’s rice dumplings are available for purchase until 10 June 2024, online at intercontinentalshoppe.sg and for takeaway at Man Fu Yuan.

Xin Cuisine, Holiday Inn Singapore 

One can never go wrong with the classics, like the Homemade Traditional Rice Dumplings from Xin Cuisine at Holiday Inn Singapore. The dumplings are generously packed with melt-in-the-mouth five-spiced braised pork belly, salted egg yolk, mushrooms, and shrimp. Sweet-toothed patrons can opt for another classic, the Red Lotus Seed Paste Rice Dumpling (commonly known as kee chang), which contains creamy lotus paste, chestnuts, and gingko nuts for a wonderful interplay of sweet flavours and textures. The fragrant osmanthus dipping sauce makes the perfect accompaniment. Surprise loved ones with dumplings in an assorted bundle of six, featuring three of each flavour. Order here for collection and delivery until 9 June 2024.

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Text by: Eris Choo