Where to Get the Best Rice Dumplings this Dragon Boat Festival 2025

It’s the season for rice dumplings again: little parcels of joy, full of roast pork, savoury salted egg yolk, mushrooms, and if you’re fond of the sweet Nonya versions, candied winter melon and chestnut.

Though these little treats have a somewhat morbid tale behind them– they’re made in honour of an ancient Chinese poet’s sacrifice– they make for excellent gifts, and are almost infinitely customisable. We’ve tracked down rice dumplings for every taste, from Thai green curry to chicken satay, to please every palate: one of them comes with a bottle of champagne.

Fullerton Hotel – Celebrate Singapore’s Rich Cultures With Specially Crafted Rice Dumplings

In honour of Singapore’s 60th year of independence, Chinese Executive Chef Leong Chee Yeng from the Fullerton Hotel’s Jade restaurant unveils a new satay-inspired rice dumpling, which will make its debut alongside returning Hokkien and Nonya favourites this season. The Jade Classics Rice Dumpling Collection is available from 10 to 25 May 2025, from the Fullerton Hotel’s online ordering site or the Fullerton Cake Shop, and come in beautiful gift hampers in basket packaging.

The Chicken Satay Rice Dumpling is filled with chicken thigh, king oyster mushroom and peanuts, wrapped in glutinous rice for the impression of satay with ketupat, and joins the collection with the returning Nyonya Blue Pea Rice Dumpling, filled with minced pork, mushrooms and candied winter melon, and the Hokkien Salted Egg Yolk Rice Dumpling with braised pork, mushroom, chestnut and salted egg yolk. Jade also presents traditional Hong Kong-style rice dumplings, like the Abalone Treasures Rice Dumpling, a hefty rice parcel containing two pieces of South African ten-head abalone, roasted duck and pork belly, dried scallop, salted egg yolk, lotus seed, fresh pork fat and chestnut. The Truffle and Trio Mushroom Five-grain Rice Dumpling is a wholesome vegetarian option, containing king oyster mushroom, matsutake mushroom, black mushroom, truffle paste, and plant-based meat.

For gifting, choose from the three-piece Jade Sentiments Gift Basket or six-piece Jade Harmony Gift Basket, which both come in beautiful reusable basket packaging. The Jade Harmony Gift Basket also comes with a jar of Jade’s Premium X.O. Chili Sauce, designed to perfectly complement the dumplings.

The Fullerton Cake Shop is located at 1 Fullerton Square, Fullerton Hotel, in Singapore, postal code 049178. Place an order through the Fullerton Hotel’s website.

^{Image credit: Raffles Hotel Singapore}

yì by Jereme Leung – Southeast Asia’s Aromatic Cuisine Inspires a New Rice Dumpling Collection

Nostalgia and innovation fuel these new rice dumpling creations at yì by Jereme Leung, available at the Raffles Hotel and inspired by the culinary delights of Southeast Asia. This season, three sweet and savoury rice dumplings, with traditional yet distinctive flavours like salted egg yolk and lemongrass, are available for self-collection and delivery on Raffles Grab and Go from 1 to 31 May.

The first dumpling, the Braised Pork Belly & Yam Glutinous Rice Dumpling, is a celebration of traditional Hokkien flavours: Fujian-style braised pork belly, sweet yam and glutinous rice. As a homage to regional Nanyang heritage, the Lemongrass Kee Chang Rice Dumpling with Raffles Signature Kaya was created by MasterChef Jereme to encapsulate regional food culture: bright, citrusy lemongrass balances the alkaline of traditional rice dumplings, enhanced with a jar of signature Raffles Kaya.

The third rice dumpling is fit for royalty: the Steamed Abalone & Eight-Treasure Glutinous

Rice Dumpling with Salted Egg Yolk is inspired by royal eight-treasure rice, and is a potent symbol of good luck and prosperity. The encased “treasures” in this harmonious creation include 12-head abalone, salted egg yolk, Sakura shrimp, Jinhua ham, mung bean, white lotus seed, dried scallops and chestnut.

yì by Jereme Leung is located at 328 North Bridge Road, Raffles Hotel, Singapore 188719. To order, visit the Raffles Grab and Go website.

Man Fu Yuan – Award-Winning Cantonese Restaurant Takes on a Timeless Tradition

Award-winning Cantonese restaurant Man Fu Yuan at the InterContinental Singapore rolls out seven artisanal rice dumpling flavours in 2025, including two new flavours, and gift bundle sets to liven up your holidays. 

Adding an extra touch of sophistication this year, each order of rice dumplings is housed in a beautiful rectangular cream box, adorned with birds and flowers, and accented by a golden tassel. The box also comes with an over-the-shoulder strap that turns it into an elegant, tapestry-inspired shoulder bag for easy carrying and beautiful gifting.

The new collection of rice dumplings feature traditional Cantonese, Nonya, and innovative Asian flavours that can be enjoyed by all ages. Their newest show stoppers include the Kimchi Rice Dumpling with  flavours of aged kimchi and Kurobuta Cured Meat and Mushroom for that delicious umami depth. Also new is the Sweet Pumpkin Duo Rice Dumpling Black Sesame Seed with nutty black glutinous rice and fragrant Australian pumpkin, finished with the deep aroma of black sesame. 

Bestseller and making a highly anticipated return this year is the Man Fu Yuan Giant Classic Cantonese Rice Dumpling with Red Quinoa: a one-kilogram dumpling with a medley of luxurious ingredients like two 5-head South African abalones, five-spiced pork belly, giant dried shrimps from Hong Kong, roasted duck, dried conpoy, and red quinoa. Act fast– only 99 of these are available for purchase!

Man Fu Yuan’s signature Nonya rice dumplings also join the list, including the Nonya-Style Rice Dumpling with Plant-Based Meat, Sweetened Winter Melon and Mushroom, and Nonya-Style Rice Dumpling with X.O. Sauce, with sweetened winter melon, dried shrimps, and Man Fu Yuan’s own house-made X.O. sauce. 

Finally, for those looking for a sweet treat, the Traditional Hokkien-Style Rice Dumpling remains a timeless classic, with its generous  filling of five-spiced pork belly, chestnuts, mushrooms, and dried shrimps, wrapped in fragrant glutinous rice for a sweet-savoury experience. Meanwhile, the Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Red Bean, Honey Date, and Red Date tastes like a luscious traditional dessert, perfect for a light yet satisfying indulgence during the festivities.

These rice dumplings are available as part of two gift sets: the Mastery Bundle, with five dumplings and Man Fu Yuan’s exclusive tea blend, the Five Element Tea, in a traditional tea canister, and the Indulgence Bundle, which includes five dumplings and and a 325ml bottle of Taittinger Brut Champagne. 

VL promo! Get 20% off with promo code VANILLARD20. Valid for all items until 28 May 2025. 

Man Fu Yuan is located at 80 Middle Road, Level 2 at InterContinental Singapore, in Singapore, postal code 188966. Orders can be placed at the restaurant and online via their takeaway site until 28 May 2025.

Shang Palace at Shangri-la – Artisanal Rice Dumplings With Diverse Influences

Executive Chinese Chef Daniel Cheung at Shang Palace has created a collection of artisanal rice dumplings, with influences from near and far, elevating traditional tastes with premium ingredients. The 2025 collection features two new dumplings almongside a medley of returning creations, inspired by Nyonya and Southeast Asian cuisine.

The Red Fermented Bean Curd Pork Belly and Peanut Rice Dumpling is inspired by childhood memories of Hakka fermented bean curd dishes, paired with mung beans, black-eyed peas, and enveloped in glutinous rice. The Sweetened Purple Rice Dumpling with Homemade Kaya, made with black glutinous rice, mochi and a molten kaya center, reimagines a local favourite in the form of a chewy, complex treat.

Among the returning rice dumpling varieties are elevated traditional recipes like the Truffle Pork Belly with Salted Egg Yolk dumpling, Traditional Nyonya Rice Dumpling, and a six-dumpling set, the Heritage of Asia Rice Dumpling Gift Set, which features dumplings inspired by Hainanese chicken rice, Thai green curry, and twists on traditional Kee Chang.

Shang Palace is located at 22 Orange Grove Road, Shangri-La Singapore, Singapore 258350. To order, visit the website.

Wah Lok – The Dried Oyster and Conpoy Rice Dumpling Debuts This Festival Season

Wah Lok at the Carlton Hotel launches just one rice dumpling this season: the Dried Oyster and Conpoy Rice Dumpling, a celebratory parcel of Cantonese flavour, handcrafted and embodying time-honoured traditions. This dumpling will be available from 13 May to 31 May for delivery and collection from the Carlton Hotel.

This dumpling is wrapped in premium glutinous rice, and skillfully combines various flavours and textures into a culinary wonder: Smoked Duck, Japanese Conpoy, the traditional toppings of Chestnut and Lotus Seed, and more, in a blend of umami and rich sweetness. Weighing in at 600g, this dumpling can be enjoyed as a solo indulgence or shared with loved ones. Pre-orders for the dumpling have already begun– gift this parcel of happiness to someone you care about this Dragon Boat Festival season.

Wah Lok is located at 76 Bras Basah Road, Carlton Hotel, Singapore 189558. Order your rice dumpling online.

Peach Blossoms at Parkroyal – Rice Dumplings With Seasonal Flavours

This Dragon Boat Festival, Peach Blossoms at Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay presents a line-up of three rice dumplings, created by Executive Chinese Chef Edward Chong, showing the best of the season. 

The Traditional Abalone, Preserved Vegetables and Pork Belly Rice Dumpling, new this year, has a rich and savoury flavour profile, with abalone, slow-braised Kurobuta pork belly, shiitake mushroom, chestnut and homemade preserved vegetables. This dumpling joins two returning classics, the Premium X.O. Cantonese Rice Dumpling, with Hong Kong dried oyster and smoked duck, and Traditional Five Spices Kurobuta Pork Belly Rice Dumpling, with a medley of Japanese flower mushroom, chestnut, dried shrimp and salted egg yolk.

All three rice dumplings are included in the package, the Peach Blossoms’ Dumpling Collection, packaged beautifully and good for gifting. They are accompanied by Peach Blossoms Homemade Dried Shrimp Chili Paste, which offers an aromatic, fiery accompaniment to the dumplings.

Peach Blossoms is located at 6 Raffles Boulevard, Parkroyal Collection, on Level 5, in Singapore, postal code 039594. Place an order on the website.

Xin Cuisine – Signature Rice Dumplings Made the Traditional Way

Xin Cuisine’s traditional rice dumplings are more down-to-earth than most on this list, but that’s the spirit of the holiday after all– simple but classic, these dumplings would be welcome at any gifting table or savoured with tea. They’re available to order in bundles of two or six, and orders must be made three days in advance.

The dumplings come in sweet or savoury varieties: the savoury dumpling, Xin’s Signature Home-made Traditional Rice Dumpling, is filled with five-spiced pork belly, salted egg yolk, mushroom, shrimp, and all the festive fixings in true Cantonese style, while the sweet dumpling, Xin’s Signature Red Lotus Seed Paste and Chestnut Dumpling, is a take on alkaline Kee Chang: with creamy lotus paste, chestnuts and gingko, this dumpling’s mellow sweetness is enhanced with a house-made osmanthus sauce.

Right now, orders made through Xin Cuisine’s eShop receive a 20% off early bird discount, so act fast!

Xin Cuisine is located at 317 Outram Road, Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, Singapore 169075. To order, visit the website.

*This article contains some paid partnership content.