Biggest Bak Chang Guide 2022 Singapore & Best Rice Dumplings for Dragonboat Festival

Dumpling Festival 2022, also known as Dragonboat Festival or Duan Wu Jie (端午节) in Chinese, falls on the 3rd of June 2022 – the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Although the Dumpling Festival is not a public holiday in Singapore, this is the time that families and friends come together to enjoy exquisitely handmade sticky rice dumplings or zongzi (粽子). Traditionally, there are 3 types of rice dumplings:

• Nyonya – Often has a blue tip. The interior features minced meat.
• Hokkien – Juicier than the Nyonya rice dumpling due to the presence of pork belly brimming with fat. The juices get absorbed by the rice.
• Sweet – Filled with various beans, nuts, dates or simply just the sticky rice and nothing else. Also called kee chang. Vegetarian-friendly.

If you were to choose to buy your rice dumplings from hotels and Chinese restaurants, expect luxurious ingredients such as scallops, abalone and even duck. This year, a couple of outlets have introduced some unique flavors. Many of the bak chang listed below for Dumpling Festival 2022 are available not just for takeaway but also for delivery. Here is a list of the best rice dumplings being sold this year:

Regent Singapore

Michelin-starred Summer Palace at Regent Singapore ushers in Dragon Boat Festival 2022 with 4 types of rice dumplings (bak chang) with the most premium one being the Luxury Rice Dumpling with Abalone and Fish Maw (S$82.24). It is sure to impress as gifts as each order also comes with Regent’s leatherette box with handle. Other flavors include Kurobuta Rice Dumpling with Dried Oysters (S$42.99) as well as vegetarian options – Vegetarian 5-Grain Rice Dumplings (Rice, Oat, Barley, Sweet Corn and Green Beans) (S$28.04) and Red Date Dumpling with Osmanthus Honey (S$18.69). 

Dates: Now until 4th June 2022

Order here 

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium (Xin Cuisine)

*Value Pick* For a Japanese tinge to the dumpling festival, check out Xin Cuisine’s offering which includes the Unagi Abalone Dumpling (S$28.80). Weighing 380 grams, this delectable treat includes mouthwatering slices of eel as well as a plump piece of abalone. Traditionalists may want to check out their Xin’s Signature Home Made Traditional Dumpling (S$16.80) which is generously filled with five-spiced braised pork belly meat, salted egg yolk, mushroom and shrimp. For those with a sweet tooth, check out their Xin’s Signature Red Lotus Seed Paste Dumpling with Osmanthus Sauce (S$12.80). Commonly known as Kee Chang – this smooth, sticky dumpling is filled with creamy lotus paste, chestnuts and gingko nuts. It also comes with Xin’s Osmanthus Sauce, a honey-like dipping sauce that exudes a fragrant floral scent.

Among all the kee chang I have tried this year, Xin Cuisine’s Red Lotus Seed Paste Dumpling is my favorite. Firstly, the osmanthus sauce is quite addictive. Secondly, the creamy lotus paste stuffed inside the dumpling adds a lava effect, making for such a delightful snack.

Dates: Now until 1st June 2022

Order here (sold out)

Mr. Bean

Relish in vegetarian delights with Mr. Bean’s range of rice dumplings. There are three flavors to choose from, including the nutritious Brown Rice Dumpling (S$38.88 for 6) made with organic brown rice and filled with peanuts, kidney beans, black beans, mushrooms and chestnuts; Nonya Dumpling (S$24.84 for 6) that comes with coriander powder, mushroom stem, textured vegetable protein, five spice powder, soya sauce and candied melon as well as the Mushroom & Chestnut Dumpling (S$24.84) which is filled with mock meat, mushroom and chestnut.

Dates: Ongoing

Order here (S$8 delivery fee)

Love Dumplings

Love Dumplings is a home-based business primarily selling rice dumplings. Having been financially affected by the pandemic, they started the business in mid-2020 to positive reviews, with customers coming back for repeat orders. Aside from their Kiam Bak Chang (starts from S$50 for 10pcs), they are also selling Mini Kee Chang (from S$14 for 10pcs). 

Dates: Ongoing

Order here (S$8 delivery fee, free delivery with min S$150 order)

Bee Cheng Hiang

Bee Cheng Hiang’s rice dumpling comes with gourmet bak kwa inside as well as shiitake mushroom and chestnut wrapped in soft, aromatic glutinous rice. It is being sold in bundles of 2, 3 or 6 pieces. The 6-piece bundle is priced at S$40.80

Dates: Ongoing

Order here (S$8 delivery fee, free delivery with min order of S$50)

Tam Kah

Tam Kah is a seafood wholesaler and this year, they are also dabbling in rice dumplings. They have no less than 10 different flavors of bak chang, ranging from the likes of Fortune Pork Trotter (S$15.50 for 2pcs) to XO Abalone Scallop (S$39 for 4pcs). In between, they also have more traditional variations like Nyonya (S$14 for 4pcs) and Scallop and Salted Egg (S$19 for 4pcs). 

Dates: Ongoing

Order here

SMH Food Group

SMH has been a long time supplier of Chinese snack items, particularly dimsum, to major supermarkets, hotels and convenience stores the past few decades. Those who shop in Fairprice or Sheng Shiong supermarkets in the heartlands might have encountered their roadshows. They are known for their frozen siu mai, bao and gyoza among others. For Dumpling Festival 2021, they are rolling out the Lotus Leaf Chicken Dumpling with Purple Rice (S$10.80 for 4pcs), Lotus Leaf Nyonya Chicken Dumpling (S$10.60 for 4pcs) and Lotus Leaf Red Bean Dumpling (S$9.80 for 4pcs). The rice dumplings from SMH Food Group are delivered in frozen form where they have a shelf life of up to 12 months.

Dates: Ongoing

Order here (free delivery with minimum order of S$45)

Yuen Chen Siang

Those craving for rice dumplings from Malaysia – particularly Southern Malaysia – can now order them online for delivery straight to your doorstep. One of the popular brands that offer this service is Yuen Chen Siang (源珍香) which originates from Muar in Johor. Popular flavors include the Salted Egg Rice Dumpling (S$8.90), Shuang Pin Rice Dumpling (S$9.05) and Afternoon Nyonya Rice Dumpling (S$8.23). The Shuang Pin Rice Dumpling in particular, is a mix of sweet and savory. There’s the distinct sweetness from the red bean paste while the savory part comes from the salted egg yolk, pork and dried mushrooms.

As these rice dumplings come from Malaysia, deliveries take about 1 to 2 weeks to arrive so plan ahead if you want it to reach you by Dumpling Festival.

Dates: Ongoing

Order here (free delivery with minimum order of S$20)

Joo Chiat Kim Choo

Joo Chiat Kim Choo traces its humble beginnings from a stall at 34 Joo Chiat Place in Katong, the epicenter of Nyonya culture in Singapore. The brand has now grown to become one of the top rice dumpling names in Singapore with its products selling briskly even outside the Dragonboat Festival. Its top sellers include the Salted Rice Dumpling Bundle (from S$42 for 10pcs) which already includes mix and match of Nyonya, Salted, Salted with Egg Yolk and Cantonese Bean dumplings. For those who prefer the Nyonya style of dumplings, Joo Chiat Kim Choo also sells Nonya Rice Dumpling Bundle (from S$43.50 for 10).

Dates: Ongoing

Order here (S$8 delivery fee)

Kim Choo Kueh Chang

Kim Choo Kueh Chang (金珠肉粽) is one of the most popular places to shop for rice dumplings. They sell bak chang year-round in their main store at East Coast Road in Katong. Their products can be categorized roughly into Nyonya Chang where they have pork, vegetarian and chicken while their Salty Chang comes in salty egg, XO traditional and chili. 

Dates: Ongoing

Order here (up to 12% off)

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

The Fullerton Hotel’s line-up of bak chang this year includes the newly launched Golden Treasures Rice Dumpling Hamper (S$138). Comprising 6 dumplings with 4 different flavors, this set promises to deliver when it comes to unique flavors. Expect the likes of the Hae Bee Hiam with Winter Melon Rice Dumpling and the Gourmet Bak Kwa with Yolk Rice Dumpling along with Blue Pea Nyonya Rice Dumpling and Traditional Hong Kong-style Abalone Treasure Rice Dumpling. The latter can also be ordered on a standalone basis for S$48. Alternatively, opt for the Auspicious Greetings Rice Dumplings Hamper (S$188) which contains 6 pieces of dumplings, all with traditional flavors. 

Dates: Now until 4th June 2021 (pre-orders available now)

Order here

Yong Le Dumplings

Yong Le is a food manufacturer based in Jurong that specializes in various types of dumplings. For dragonboat festival, they are offering Salted Egg Yolk and Pork Dumplings (S$11 per bundle) which are delivered frozen. Each bundle consists of 2 pieces of dumplings and each dumpling weighs approximately 180 grams.

Dates: Ongoing

Order here (free delivery with minimum S$45 order) 

Gin Thye

Noted baker Gin Thye is also offering rice dumplings for dragonboat festival 2022. They are selling the dumplings in bundles of 8 pieces with 3 different flavors to choose from – Red Bean Chang (S$39.90), Salty Bak Chang (S$39.90) and Nyonya Chang (S$39.90). The dumplings are delivered frozen.

Dates: Ongoing

Order here (free delivery with minimum order of S$45)

Tung Lok

Tung Lok is rolling out 4 types of rice dumplings for Dragon Boat Festival 2022. Highlights include their healthful Oat Rice Dumplings with Mushrooms (S$48 per bundle of 7), the sweet Honey Date Rice Dumplings (S$19.80 per bundle of 7), Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetables Rice Dumplings (S$48 per bundle of 7) and XO Dumplings (S$48 per bundle of 7). Their rice dumplings are delivered frozen. They currrently have a promotion of buy 6 get 1 free. The quantities stated in the price are already inclusive of the 1 free dumpling per bundle.

Dates: Now until 28th May 2022

Order here (free delivery with minimum order of S$100)

Conrad Centennial Singapore

Golden Peony at Conrad Centennial Singapore has some of the most creative flavors of bak chang for Dumpling Festival 2022. For those who prefer something sweet, check out the Sweeties Red Bean Rice Dumpling (S$13.80). Each piece comes served with a side of gula melaka syrup. For savory dumplings, they have the Singapore Black Pepper Chili Crab, Prawn and Bedford Scallops Rice Dumpling (S$29.80). So far, this is the only rice dumpling I have seen in 2022 that comes stuffed with crab, and with a local flair at that. For those looking for something unusual, check out the Bak Kut Teh Rice Dumpling (S$25.80) featuring pork ribs simmered for hours with herbs before being wrapped in glutinous rice. 

Dates: 9th May to 3rd June 2022

Order here

InterContinental Singapore

Man Fu Yuan at InterContinental Singapore ushers in the Dragon Boat Festival with a number of new flavors of rice dumplings including gift bundles encased in limited edition dumpling carriers. The Mastery Bundle (S$99.80) includes 5 dumplings as well as a Pu-er tea canister. A new variation this year is the XXL Jumbo Rice Dumpling with Chicken, Mushrooms and Chinese Sausages wrapped in Lotus Leaf (S$39.50). Packed with ginger chicken, mushrooms, spring onions, dried shrimps, Chinese sausages and salted yolk, this giant rice dumpling can feed up to five persons.. Another interesting creation is the Spicy Mala Pork Belly and Abalone Rice Dumplings ($29.50). Featuring braised pork belly in homemade spicy mala sauce with abalone, mushrooms and chestnuts, this rice dumpling teases the palate with a delicate tingle with every bite.

Dates: 2nd May to 3rd June 2022

Order here

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza

Wan Hao’s bak chang offering is slightly different from other establishments in the sense that they allow customers to have them for dine-in aside from the usual takeaway or delivery. For Dragonboat Festival 2022, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza is offering 5 types of rice dumplings including the all-new Abalone with Karasumi & Conpoy Rice Dumpling (S$28). This 500 gram dumpling comes packed with ingredients including Karasumi, a premium quality mullet roe soaked overnight in salt and Chinese wine before being baked and encased in a layer of glutinous rice with abalone and conpoy. Another new flavor is the Chinese Rice Wine Salt Baked Chicken Rice Dumpling (S$16). For traditional flavors, check out their Signature Pork & Salted Egg Rice Dumpling (S$16) or the White Pepper Crab Rice Dumpling ($20), the latter decked with generous chunks of delicate crab meat and black-eyed peas.

Dates: 14th May to 3rd June 2022

Order here

Raffles Hotel Singapore

yi by Jereme Leung celebrates Dragon Boat Festival with a trio of flavors – two new – of rice dumplings. Making a return is the Traditional Abalone and Jinhua Ham Dumpling (S$49) which features a medley of premium ingredients such as a 12-head abalone, Jinhua ham, Japanese dried scallops, pork belly, chestnuts, and lotus seeds. Two new flavors include Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Vegetables Rice Dumpling (S$22), a new take that comes with preserved mustard vegetables along with the customary pork belly for a refreshing depth of flavors; and the Butterfly Pea Flower Kee Chang with Raffles Signature Kaya Jam (S$28 for 5). This is yì by Jereme Leung’s new variation of kee chang with the delicate, earthly notes of butterfly pea flower. Each pack comes with the crowd favorite – Raffles Signature Kaya Jam. 

Dates: Now to 5th June 2022

Order here