The Dragon Boat Festival or Duan Wu Jie falls on Jun 10 when it is tradition to indulge in a rice dumpling or three to honour the legend of Chinese poet Qu Yuan. The story goes that the poet and elder statesman of ancient China cast himself into the depths of a river following the turmoil caused by corruption in his beloved homeland. In turn, his distraught supporters tossed rice dumplings into the water and beat drums to divert scavengers from his body. We love honouring a good tradition, especially one as delicious as this. In that spirit, here’s a selection of new rice dumplings to try this year.
LONDON DUCK RICE DUMPLING FROM GOLDEN PEONY
Traditional Hong Kong-style Rice Dumpling. (Photo: Golden Peony)
Roast duck lovers will want to take a bite of Golden Peony’s Signature London Duck Rice Dumplings (S$36.80), stuffed with said duck — renowned for its flavourful meat and higher fat ratio—bean curd sticks, chestnuts and lotus seeds. Also new to the line-up is the Multigrain Rice with Kimchi Sauce Rice Dumpling (S$24.80) and a beguiling Mango Sticky Rice Dumpling (S$24.80), complete with a serving of sweetened coconut milk to drizzle over.
If you’re gifting: Consider the Golden Peony Luxury Bundle (S$188), which includes the above dumplings along with a Hong Kong-style Rice Dumpling and Black Pepper Chilli Crab, Prawn, and Bedford Scallops Rice Dumpling.
BLACK GLUTINOUS (PULUT HITAM) NONYA RICE DUMPLING FROM HAI TIEN LO
Both the Premium Bundle and Classic Bundle come with a range of six dumplings and a bottle of Hai Tien Lo’s homemade premium XO sauce and sweet, sour and spicy bean paste sauce, respectively. (Photo: Hai Tien Lo)
For a twist on traditional Nonya zhang, check out Hai Tien Lo’s black glutinous rice version, filled with a mix of black and white glutinous rice wrapped around the traditional filling of coriander seed-infused pork, candied winter melon and mushrooms. Hai Tien Lo’s Supreme Rice Dumpling (S$45, feeds four to six people) makes a comeback this year, packed with a whole abalone, pork belly, whole dried scallops, chestnuts, lotus seeds and more.
If you’re gifting: There are the Premium Bundle (S$150) and Classic Bundle (S$110). Both come with a range of six dumplings and a bottle of Hai Tien Lo’s homemade premium XO sauce and sweet, sour and spicy bean paste sauce, respectively.
MOUTAI PORK DUMPLING WITH CHINESE HAM AND MUSHROOMS FROM JADE
Moutai Pork and Dried Scallop Rice Dumpling with Chinese Ham and Mushrooms. (Photo: Jade)
If you love moutai, the Chinese fermented sorghum liquor, you’ll love Jade’s latest Moutai Pork and Dried Scallop Rice Dumpling with Chinese Ham and Mushrooms (S$24). As its name implies, the chunks of pork belly are marinated with moutai over 48 hours, so they take on the liquor’s heady, mildly smoky flavour. Dried scallops, salted egg yolk and red rice wine lees give it an extra umami kick.
If you’re gifting: Look out for the Jade Harmony Gift Bundle (S$78) that comes with a traditional Hong Kong Abalone Treasures Rice Dumpling, a Blue Pea Nonya Rice Dumpling and a Red Bean Gula Melaka Rice Dumpling. The Jade Unity Gift Basket (S$128) comprises six dumplings, including the Moutai Pork Dumpling and Red Bean Gula Melaka Dumpling packaged in a lovely bamboo basket design.
NONYA-STYLE RICE DUMPLING WITH PLANT-BASED MEAT FROM MAN FU YUAN
Nonya-style Rice Dumping with Plant-based Meat. (Photo: Man Fu Yuan)
Now you can be vegan and eat your Nonya zhang, too, thanks to this new addition to Man Fu Yuan’s rice dumpling repertoire. The Nonya-style Rice Dumping with Plant-based Meat (S$23.90) comes with all the classic ingredients, including candied winter melon and shitake mushrooms, but with plant-based meat instead of traditional pork. For those not watching their meat intake, there’s a proper Nonya-style Rice Dumpling with X.O. sauce ($23.90).
If you’re gifting: There are three bundles, each with five dumplings, to choose from. The Mastery Bundle (S$128.80) comes with Man Fu Yuan’s Five Element Tea; the Indulgence Bundle (S$188.80) comes with a 375ml bottle of Taittinger Brut Champagne; and the Opulence Bundle (S$128.80) comes with a special chrysanthemum tea blend made from Hangbaiju, Xueju and Taiju chrysanthemums. All are encased in a pretty teal box patterned with illustrations of birds and flowers.
BLACK PEPPER CRAB RICE DUMPLINGS FROM MIN JIANG
Black Pepper Crab Rice Dumpling. (Photo: Min Jiang)
Black pepper crab gets its dumpling rendition (S$32 per pair) this year thanks to the dim sum chefs at Min Jiang Dempsey and Goodwood Park Hotel. Each parcel comprises beautifully steamed glutinous rice mottled with the spicy crab meat. There’s also the Pork Belly with ‘Mui Choy’ Rice Dumplings (S$20 per pair), chock full of preserved mustard greens that give it loads of piquant flavour.
If you’re gifting: Get the Bundle Set ($56 for seven dumplings), which includes a pair each of Black Pepper Crab Rice Dumplings and Mui Choy Rice Dumplings, along with three Mini Kee Zhang with D24 Durian Dip.
FISH MAW PORK KNUCKLE RICE DUMPLING FROM SHANG PALACE
Fish Maw Pork Knuckle Rice Dumpling. (Photo: Shang Palace)
Shang Palace’s Fish Maw Pork Knuckle Rice Dumplings ($42.90, 650g) recall the rich soups of the Chinese New Year. Before wrapping the package in glutinous rice and steaming it, chefs braise fish maw in a rich broth and slow-cook pork knuckle to spoon-tenderness before deboning. The result is a luxe, more-ish dumpling full of delightful textures. The Sweetened Purple Rice Dumpling with Custard is also new to this year’s line-up (S$22.90, 280g). Made with purple sweet potatoes, the oozy custard is wrapped in a thin layer of chewy mochi before it is encased in a mix of black and white glutinous rice.
If you’re gifting: The Heritage of Asia Rice Dumpling Gift Set ($70.90) features six dumplings inspired by various Shangri-La properties. Among them are the Sambal Pork Floss with Salted Egg Yolk Rice Dumpling, Pad Kra Pao Moo (Thai basil pork) Dumpling, and Fujian-style Rice Dumpling with Abalone, Roasted Pork, Sea Cucumber and Dried Shrimp.
PANDAN GULA MELAKA WITH SHREDDED COCONUT AND QUINOA GLUTINOUS RICE DUMPLING FROM WAN HAI CHINESE RESTAURANT
Pandan Gula Melaka with Shredded Coconut & Quinoa Glutinous Rice. (Photo: Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant)
Essentially an ondeh-ondeh rice dumpling, this new sweet treat (S$20) from Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant features a centre of smoky gula Melaka and shredded coconut enveloped by a layer of purple sweet potato and another of pandan-scented glutinous rice, quinoa, and green beans. Its savoury counterpart is the Crab Meat with XO Conpoy Sauce Rice Dumpling (S$28), which sees meaty chunks of Sri Lankan crab meat spiced with a house-made XO sauce.
If you’re gifting: Try the Premium Bundle (S$111) that comes with a Five-head Abalone with Karasumi and Iberico Pork Dumpling, a Crabmeat with XO Conpoy Sauce Dumpling, Pandan Gula Melaka with Shredded Coconut and Quinoa Dumpling, and the Signature Pork and Salted Egg Dumpling.
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LONDON DUCK RICE DUMPLING FROM GOLDEN PEONY
Traditional Hong Kong-style Rice Dumpling. (Photo: Golden Peony)
Roast duck lovers will want to take a bite of Golden Peony’s Signature London Duck Rice Dumplings (S$36.80), stuffed with said duck — renowned for its flavourful meat and higher fat ratio—bean curd sticks, chestnuts and lotus seeds. Also new to the line-up is the Multigrain Rice with Kimchi Sauce Rice Dumpling (S$24.80) and a beguiling Mango Sticky Rice Dumpling (S$24.80), complete with a serving of sweetened coconut milk to drizzle over.
If you’re gifting: Consider the Golden Peony Luxury Bundle (S$188), which includes the above dumplings along with a Hong Kong-style Rice Dumpling and Black Pepper Chilli Crab, Prawn, and Bedford Scallops Rice Dumpling.
BLACK GLUTINOUS (PULUT HITAM) NONYA RICE DUMPLING FROM HAI TIEN LO
Both the Premium Bundle and Classic Bundle come with a range of six dumplings and a bottle of Hai Tien Lo’s homemade premium XO sauce and sweet, sour and spicy bean paste sauce, respectively. (Photo: Hai Tien Lo)
For a twist on traditional Nonya zhang, check out Hai Tien Lo’s black glutinous rice version, filled with a mix of black and white glutinous rice wrapped around the traditional filling of coriander seed-infused pork, candied winter melon and mushrooms. Hai Tien Lo’s Supreme Rice Dumpling (S$45, feeds four to six people) makes a comeback this year, packed with a whole abalone, pork belly, whole dried scallops, chestnuts, lotus seeds and more.
If you’re gifting: There are the Premium Bundle (S$150) and Classic Bundle (S$110). Both come with a range of six dumplings and a bottle of Hai Tien Lo’s homemade premium XO sauce and sweet, sour and spicy bean paste sauce, respectively.
MOUTAI PORK DUMPLING WITH CHINESE HAM AND MUSHROOMS FROM JADE
Moutai Pork and Dried Scallop Rice Dumpling with Chinese Ham and Mushrooms. (Photo: Jade)
If you love moutai, the Chinese fermented sorghum liquor, you’ll love Jade’s latest Moutai Pork and Dried Scallop Rice Dumpling with Chinese Ham and Mushrooms (S$24). As its name implies, the chunks of pork belly are marinated with moutai over 48 hours, so they take on the liquor’s heady, mildly smoky flavour. Dried scallops, salted egg yolk and red rice wine lees give it an extra umami kick.
If you’re gifting: Look out for the Jade Harmony Gift Bundle (S$78) that comes with a traditional Hong Kong Abalone Treasures Rice Dumpling, a Blue Pea Nonya Rice Dumpling and a Red Bean Gula Melaka Rice Dumpling. The Jade Unity Gift Basket (S$128) comprises six dumplings, including the Moutai Pork Dumpling and Red Bean Gula Melaka Dumpling packaged in a lovely bamboo basket design.
NONYA-STYLE RICE DUMPLING WITH PLANT-BASED MEAT FROM MAN FU YUAN
Nonya-style Rice Dumping with Plant-based Meat. (Photo: Man Fu Yuan)
Now you can be vegan and eat your Nonya zhang, too, thanks to this new addition to Man Fu Yuan’s rice dumpling repertoire. The Nonya-style Rice Dumping with Plant-based Meat (S$23.90) comes with all the classic ingredients, including candied winter melon and shitake mushrooms, but with plant-based meat instead of traditional pork. For those not watching their meat intake, there’s a proper Nonya-style Rice Dumpling with X.O. sauce ($23.90).
If you’re gifting: There are three bundles, each with five dumplings, to choose from. The Mastery Bundle (S$128.80) comes with Man Fu Yuan’s Five Element Tea; the Indulgence Bundle (S$188.80) comes with a 375ml bottle of Taittinger Brut Champagne; and the Opulence Bundle (S$128.80) comes with a special chrysanthemum tea blend made from Hangbaiju, Xueju and Taiju chrysanthemums. All are encased in a pretty teal box patterned with illustrations of birds and flowers.
BLACK PEPPER CRAB RICE DUMPLINGS FROM MIN JIANG
Black Pepper Crab Rice Dumpling. (Photo: Min Jiang)
Black pepper crab gets its dumpling rendition (S$32 per pair) this year thanks to the dim sum chefs at Min Jiang Dempsey and Goodwood Park Hotel. Each parcel comprises beautifully steamed glutinous rice mottled with the spicy crab meat. There’s also the Pork Belly with ‘Mui Choy’ Rice Dumplings (S$20 per pair), chock full of preserved mustard greens that give it loads of piquant flavour.
If you’re gifting: Get the Bundle Set ($56 for seven dumplings), which includes a pair each of Black Pepper Crab Rice Dumplings and Mui Choy Rice Dumplings, along with three Mini Kee Zhang with D24 Durian Dip.
FISH MAW PORK KNUCKLE RICE DUMPLING FROM SHANG PALACE
Fish Maw Pork Knuckle Rice Dumpling. (Photo: Shang Palace)
Shang Palace’s Fish Maw Pork Knuckle Rice Dumplings ($42.90, 650g) recall the rich soups of the Chinese New Year. Before wrapping the package in glutinous rice and steaming it, chefs braise fish maw in a rich broth and slow-cook pork knuckle to spoon-tenderness before deboning. The result is a luxe, more-ish dumpling full of delightful textures. The Sweetened Purple Rice Dumpling with Custard is also new to this year’s line-up (S$22.90, 280g). Made with purple sweet potatoes, the oozy custard is wrapped in a thin layer of chewy mochi before it is encased in a mix of black and white glutinous rice.
If you’re gifting: The Heritage of Asia Rice Dumpling Gift Set ($70.90) features six dumplings inspired by various Shangri-La properties. Among them are the Sambal Pork Floss with Salted Egg Yolk Rice Dumpling, Pad Kra Pao Moo (Thai basil pork) Dumpling, and Fujian-style Rice Dumpling with Abalone, Roasted Pork, Sea Cucumber and Dried Shrimp.
PANDAN GULA MELAKA WITH SHREDDED COCONUT AND QUINOA GLUTINOUS RICE DUMPLING FROM WAN HAI CHINESE RESTAURANT
Pandan Gula Melaka with Shredded Coconut & Quinoa Glutinous Rice. (Photo: Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant)
Essentially an ondeh-ondeh rice dumpling, this new sweet treat (S$20) from Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant features a centre of smoky gula Melaka and shredded coconut enveloped by a layer of purple sweet potato and another of pandan-scented glutinous rice, quinoa, and green beans. Its savoury counterpart is the Crab Meat with XO Conpoy Sauce Rice Dumpling (S$28), which sees meaty chunks of Sri Lankan crab meat spiced with a house-made XO sauce.
If you’re gifting: Try the Premium Bundle (S$111) that comes with a Five-head Abalone with Karasumi and Iberico Pork Dumpling, a Crabmeat with XO Conpoy Sauce Dumpling, Pandan Gula Melaka with Shredded Coconut and Quinoa Dumpling, and the Signature Pork and Salted Egg Dumpling.
Continue reading...