Holding significant cultural and historical importance in Singapore, the Dragon Boat Festival is an age-old celebration that commemorates legendary Chinese poet Qu Yuan, along with the ancient past-time of dragon boat racing.
During the Dragon Boat Festival, rice dumplings, also known as zongzi, have become popular as well because of their tradition-linked association with the festival. The pyramid-shaped dumplings are made of glutinous rice and filled with a number of ingredients such as meats, beans, salted egg yolk, and nuts, and then wrapped in bamboo leaves before they are steamed or boiled.
Legend has it that the rice dumplings symbolise the sacrificial offerings made to the river during the search for Qu Yuan's body. Today, they are enjoyed and exchanged amongst colleagues, friends, and family as a symbol of good fortune, remembrance, and unity, during the Dragon Boat Festival in Singapore.
We've rounded up a number of MICHELIN Guide hotels and restaurants that offer the iconic rice dumplings in time for the Dragon Boat Festival this year, happening on 22 June 2023. Check them out below!
MICHELIN-Starred Shang Palace offers an array of rice dumplings for the season. (Photo: Shangri-La Singapore)
Shang Palace
One MICHELIN StarMICHELIN Guide Singapore 2022
Available for self-collection and delivery from now until 22 June 2023, MICHELIN-Starred Shang Palace offers a delightful collection of handcrafted rice dumpling creations for Dragon Boat Festival. Laboriously hand-wrapped and brimming with choice ingredients, these fragrant parcels plump with quality glutinous rice make exceptional picks for enjoying with family and friends; or as befitting gifts.
New creations set the stage with a Plant-based Meat with Preserved Vegetables Low-GI Brown Rice Dumpling and a 20-year Tangerine Peel Red Bean Lava Rock Rice Dumpling; while popular signatures remain such as the Shang Palace Signature Barbecued Pork Rice Dumpling with Yunnan Ham and Conpoy, Traditional Nyonya Rice Dumpling, and Truffle Pork Rice Dumpling with Salted Egg. Keen to purchase rice dumplings by the set? Opt for the Heritage of Asia Rice Dumpling Gift Set or the Shang Palace Rice Dumpling Gift Set.
The Shang Palace rice dumplings are available to purchase online here from now till 22 June 2023. Orders can also be placed via phone at +65 6213 4511 or email to festive.sls@shangri-la.com. Shang Palace is located at the Shangri-La Hotel, Lobby Level, 22 Orange Grove Road, 258350, Singapore.
The rice dumpling collection from one-MICHELIN-Starred Summer Palace (Photo: Conrad Singapore Orchard)
Summer Palace
One MICHELIN StarMICHELIN Guide Singapore 2022
MICHELIN-Starred Summer Palace unveils a luxurious collection of four best-selling rice dumpling flavours that exemplify the time-honoured traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival, showcasing exquisite ingredients and masterful artisanal techniques.
The Steamed Abalone Rice Dumpling (S$78 nett) is a culinary treasure chest brimming with fine ingredients such as abalone, Kurobuta pork, roast duck, conpoy, salted egg yolk, and more. On the other hand, the Steamed Kurobuta Pork Rice Dumpling (S$48 nett), features shiitake mushroom, roast duck, chestnut, green beans, conpoy, and salted egg yolk, all nestled within a bamboo leaf. For those seeking a delectable yet health-conscious option, the Steamed Healthy
Morel Mushroom Dumpling with Five Grains (S$36 nett) presents a combination of morel mushrooms, black mushrooms, and truffle, blended with lotus seed, bamboo piths, oat, barley, sweet corn, and green beans. Lastly, served elegantly with delicate and fragrant osmanthus honey, the Steamed Lotus Paste Rice Dumpling (S$26 nett) is a sweet nod to the occasion.
Check out the selection here for island-wide delivery and takeaway. For more information or to order from Summer Palace, please call +65 6725 3288. The Summer Palace rice dumplings are available until 22 June 2023. Summer Palace is located at Conrad Orchard, Level 3, 1 Cuscaden Road, 249715, Singapore.
MICHELIN-Starred Summer Pavilion's Rice Dumplings (Photo: The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore)
Summer Pavilion
One MICHELIN StarMICHELIN Guide Singapore 2022
Located at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, MICHELIN-Starred Summer Pavilion commemorates the annual Dragon Boat Festival from 05-22 June 2023 with an array of traditional Hong Kong style glutinous rice dumplings comprised of roast duck, roast pork, dried scallops, dried shrimp, salted egg yolk, mushrooms, lotus seeds, chestnuts, and green beans.
Each rice dumplings weighs 600 grams each and is priced at S$35++. Available for dine-in or takeaway from 05 to 22 June 2023.
For orders and more information, send an email at to rc.sinrz.summerpavilion@ritzcarlton.com or call +65 6434 5286. Summer Pavilion is located at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia, Level 3, 7 Raffles Avenue, 039799, Singapore.
Golden Peony's Singapore Black Pepper Chilli Crab, Prawn, and Bedford Scallop Rice Dumpling (Photo: Conrad Centennial Singapore)
Golden Peony
SelectedMICHELIN Guide Singapore 2022
Best known for its dim sim and signature dishes of crispy roast pork belly and claypot rice with Chinese sausage, MICHELIN-Selected Cantonese restaurant Golden Peony offers some interesting yet delightful rice dumplings in line with the month's festivities.
Choose from the signatures: traditional Hong Kong Style Rice Dumpling (S$38+) and the Singapore Black Pepper Chili Crab, Prawn, and Bedford Scallops Rice Dumpling (S$36+); or opt for the new additions this year such as the "Hakka-Style" Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetable Rice Dumpling (S$26+), which offers robust flavours, while the Five-Grain Plant Based Meat Rice Dumpling (S$22+) presents a delicious vegetarian alternative. For a sweet finale, end the feast with the Green Tea Lotus Paste and Lotus Seed Paste Rice Dumplings (S$16+ each). Additionally, the Golden Peony Luxury Bundle (S$138+) makes for an ideal gift with the full range of five dumplings and a bottle of house-made XO Chili Sauce.
The full selection is available online for island wide delivery and takeaway until 22 June 2023. For more information or to order from Golden Peony, please call +65 6432 7482. Golden Peony is located at Conrad Centennial Hotel, Level 3, 2 Temasek Boulevard, 038982, Singapore.
Madame Fan offers rice dumplings in three curated flavours. (Photo: JW Marriott Hotel Singapore)
Madame Fan
SelectedMICHELIN Guide Singapore 2022
From now until 22 June 2023, MICHELIN-Selected Cantonese Restaurant Madame Fan located at JW Marriott Hotel Singapore has crafted artisanal rice dumplings that come in three flavours for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival. Enveloped in velvety glutinous rice, each dumpling is generously packed with premium ingredients.
The rice dumplings from Madame Fan come in the following flavours: Chaoshan Sweet & Savory Rice Dumpling (S$48++ each), a savoury delight luxuriously packed with Kurobuta pork belly, Parma ham, salted egg yolk, dried shrimp, Chinese mushroom, Chinese sausage, and chestnut; XO Abalone & Hokkaido Dried Scallop Rice Dumpling (S$48++ each), which focuses on seafood such as six-head South Africa abalone, mini abalone, Hokkaido dried scallop, and delectably flavoured with Madame Fan's homemade XO Sauce; lastly, for vegetarians, the Candied Jujube & Red Ben Rice Dumpling (S$28++ each), a dessert alternative made with an array of well-loved Chinese ingredients.
Can't decide? Opt for the Dumpling Gift Set that comes with Madame Fan's XO Sauce. Each gift set comes with one flavour each, and is priced at S$118++ per set.
For reservations and take-away orders, please call +65 6818 1921 or email dining.reservations@thencoclub.com. Madame Fan is located at The NCO Club, 32 Beach Road, 189764, Singapore.
Man Fu Yuan presents a selection of seven artisanal rice dumplings for this year's Dragon Boat Festival. (Photo: InterContinental Singapore)
Man Fu Yuan
SelectedMICHELIN Guide Singapore 2022
The mainstay Cantonese restaurant housed inside InterContinental Singapore, MICHELIN-Selected Man Fu Yuan presents a selection of seven artisanal rice dumplings inclusive of four new flavours, along with two gift bundle sets to commemorate the Dragon Boat festivities.
Choose from the limited-edition Man Fu Yuan Classic Cantonese XL Rice Dumpling with Red Quinoa; Cured Kurobuta Pork with Spicy Dried Shrimp Rice Dumpling; Japanese Sweet Potato with Sesame Rice Dumpling; or, for a healthier option, Australian Pumpkin with Quinoa.
Every order of five dumplings includes an elegantly-designed pyramid box specially created to replicate the experience of unveiling the treasures within.
Man Fu Yuan’s rice dumplings are available for online purchase here from now till 22 June 2023. Man Fu Yuan is located at InterContinental Singapore, Level 2, 80 Middle Road, 188966, Singapore.
Yan Ting's Dumpling Gift Set (Photo: The St. Regis Singapore)
Yan Ting
SelectedMICHELIN Guide Singapore 2022
With an extensive Cantonese menu that focuses on traditional dishes, MICHELIN-Selected Yan Ting's team of chefs has created three special rice dumplings for this year's Dragon Boat Festival.
Available from now until 22 June 2023 are the Abalone and Golden Dried Scallop Dumplings (S$41++) bundled with roast duck, pork belly, chestnut, salted egg yolk and shiitake mushrooms; the Truffle Mushroom Rice Dumplings with Multigrain ($20++) for a healthy alternative, offering a blend of shiitake mushrooms and chestnuts encased within fragrant bamboo leaves; and the timeless classic of Pork Belly and Salted Egg Yolk Dumplings (S$24++) that contain a luscious salted egg yolk, tender pork belly braised in spices, chestnut, dried scallops, shiitake mushrooms, and beans.
Yan Ting also offers a Glutinous Rice Dumpling Gift Set (S$86++) that offers all flavours and comes in a luxurious red box.
Delivery and take-away orders can be placed online here. Yan Ting is located at The St. Regis Hotel, Level 1U, 29 Tanglin Road, 247911, Singapore.
Yì By Jereme Leung honours the Dragon Boat festival with its rice dumpling selection. (Photo: Raffles Hotel Singapore)
Yì By Jereme Leung
SelectedMICHELIN Guide Singapore 2022
From now until 22 June 2023, Yì By Jereme Leung, located at the historical Raffles Hotel Singapore, presents a tasty array of handcrafted sweet and savoury rice dumplings to commemorate the annual Dragon Boat Festival. Each dumpling blends traditional and unique ingredients to enliven the senses this season.
The Butterfly Pea Flower Kee Chang with Raffles Signature Kaya Jam (S$28++ for 5 pieces, including a 200g jar of Raffles Signature Kaya Jam) is a returning favourite. A decadent homage to the native Southeast Asian plant, the rice dumpling features delicate notes and light hues of vivid indigo from the butterfly pea flowers. Indulge with a side of Raffles Signature Kaya Jam, a delectable local specialty for a balance of sweetness.
The Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Vegetables Glutinous Rice Dumpling (S$22++ each) is a savoury treat. A delicately wrapped rice dumpling packed with slices of five-spiced pork belly and layered ribbons of preserved mustard vegetables make for a delightful umami-infused blend of flavours.
Lastly, a new offering is a Traditional 12-Head Abalone & Preserved Meats Glutinous Rice Dumpling (S$49++ each) that boasts an assortment of carefully curated premium ingredients such as 12-head abalone, Sakura ebi shrimp, salted egg yolk, chestnut, lotus seeds, pork belly, Japanese dried scallops, sliced mung bean, and premium preserved meats.
For orders and takeaways, Yì By Jereme Leung’s rice dumplings will be available for ordering on Raffles Grab and Go and at the restaurant from now until 22 June 2023. Yì By Jereme Leung is located at Raffles Arcade, #03-02, 328 North Bridge Road, 188719, Singapore.
