Indulge in the ultimate culinary delight as you savor the best bak chang in Singapore!
Staying rooted in its culture is one of the many strong characteristics of Singaporeans. By maintaining a sense of identity, belonging, and heritage, we can preserve valuable knowledge, traditions, and creative expressions—fostering continuity and adaptation through the years.
One of the lasting celebrations looked forward to by many Singaporeans is the Dragon Boat Festival—one of the oldest cultural festivals where people congregate outside on riverbanks and lakes to enjoy the fine weather while watching traditional dragon boat races.
And what better way to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival than to delve into a delectable bite of the best rice dumplings—that, as per tradition, symbolizes a tribute to the famous Chinese poet, Qu Yuan, to prevent fish from eating his body.
Where to Find the Best Rice Dumplings for Dragon Boat Festival in Singapore
For years, rice dumplings, better known as bak chang or zong zi, have become a staple food enjoyed during the Dragon Boat Festival. These triangular treats are often made with glutinous rice, stuffed with mouthwatering fillings such as meat, chestnuts, mushrooms, and salted egg yolk, and steamed in pandan leaves.
If you’re already feeling hungry, here’s where you can find the best rice dumplings for your celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival!
When it comes to rice dumplings, there’s no better place to be than in a dining place identified as the diner’s paradise for Oriental cuisine, Paradise Group. Known for their sensorial experience with service from the heart, the bak chang served by this dining place comes in modern creations, such as the salted pork belly brown rice dumpling served at S$11.80 each, pillow-shaped premium abalone rice dumplings (S$23.80 each), and the best-selling east-meets-west black truffle charred barbecue Iberico pork rice dumpling (S$13.80 each). There’s also the savory pork with conpoy and chestnut rice dumplings served at S$12.80 each, and the braised pork belly with Japanese mushrooms and conpoy rice dumplings at S$12.80 per serving.
Make your celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival even more special with the Rice Dumpling Gift Set (S$68.80+) that comes in a bundle of five dumplings—mixed of new and classic flavors available from May 22 to June 22, 2023.
If you want to go for an authentic Hokkien food experience, the heartland of Jurong East should be on your radar for the celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival. Honoring the rice dumpling heritage, Beng Hiang Restaurant serves the all-time rice dumpling for only S$6.80. Enjoy the finely-crafted bak chang tightly filled with a generous amount of braised pork belly, dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and chestnuts.
Get your rice dumpling fix from one of the best restaurants to offer authentic rice dumplings, Joo Chiat Kim Choo Kueh Chang. With years of experience in the industry, this well-loved Singapore brand offers a variety of rice dumplings at affordable prices. Indulge in the classic Nyonya rice dumpling for just S$5, savor the flavorful Hokkien rice dumpling with salted egg yolk at S$5.30, or enjoy the Teochew rice dumpling priced at S$6. For an extra enticing option this Dragon Boat Festival, try the Hakka pork belly with preserved vegetables, featuring the savory taste of salty mui choy, priced at S$6.80 per dumpling.
Known for its durian desserts, Goodwood Park pairs its alkaline rice dumplings with the indulgent D24 durian dip (S$12 per set of three). For those who are more interested in the classic flavors, there is also the Hokkien-style dumpling (S$14 for two) that is stuffed with pork belly, shitake mushrooms, chestnut, dried shrimp, and salted egg yolk. And if you want to dig into a more Hong Kong-style dumpling, there’s the roasted pork, roasted duck, dried scallops, and house-made soy sauce for only S$26.
Until June 22, the Singapore-based culinary brand regarded with one-Michelin star and multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand awards serves five spice-marinated pork rice dumplings (S$9.80 each) and luxe jumbo-sized HK-style abalone rice dumplings (S$25.80). To cater to the local palate, the renowned restaurant introduces a special kind of bak chang made with scallion oil chicken and preserved vegetable cai po. For only S$8.80, you can already indulge in the delicate aroma of meat and rice, added to the delightful crunchy textures and savory flavors of the stir-fried radish.
