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10 Best Rice Dumplings, Bak Zhang, and Nonya Zhang in Singapore | Best of Food 2023

Every year, we rush to get our hands on rice dumplings to commemorate the Dragon Boat Festival. According to Chinese legend, sticky rice dumplings (also called bak zhang or zongzi Singapore) wrapped in bamboo leaves are a symbol of tribute to the Dragon Boat Festival, which will take place on June 22 this year. And these rice dumplings, which originally consisted entirely of sticky rice, have morphed over time from traditional fillings like salted egg and pork belly to modern twists, vegetarian alternatives, and even forms of dessert. With extensive flavours of rice dumplings in the market, which then is the best rice dumplings Singapore? In our Best of Food series, we introduce the 10 Best Rice Dumplings in Singapore, providing quality recommendations based on your budget and taste.
This article was last updated on 21 June 2023.

Table of Contents 

Best Rice Dumplings Singapore

1. Bee Cheng Hiang

best rice dumplings
Bee Cheng Hiang – Best Rice Dumplings in Singapore

Established in 1933, Bee Cheng Hiang Singapore is best known for Bakkwa, a Chinese salty-sweet dried meat delicacy similar to jerky. Their Bakkwas are also well-known for their natural ingredients and no additional preservatives, meat tenderiser, artificial colouring, flavouring, or MSG. Thanks to that, Bee Cheng Hiang has since expanded to 366 retail shops in 11 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and more.

A modern twist to traditional zongzi Singapore

Not only has this food company expanded, but so have its offerings. Bee Cheng Hiang is now more than a Bakkwa brand. We loved how they used barbecued meat bits to add a modern twist to classic zongzi (rice dumplings). On top of that, their rice dumplings are traditionally made with only the best ingredients, and they come in 8 delicious flavours. Plus, there’s a non-Bakkwa version available too! Every bite has a wonderful blend of soft, aromatic glutinous rice and fillings!

If you’re new to Bee Cheng Hiang rice dumplings Singapore, we recommend trying their Gourmet Bakkwa Rice Dumpling. It’s their most popular item and is sure to be your next favourite. The dish features Gourmet Bakkwa, shiitake mushroom, and chestnut wrapped in smooth, fragrant glutinous rice. They also come in a unique vacuum packing that keeps them fresher for longer while maintaining moisture and goodness. You can get them in-store or have them delivered to your door via GrabMart, Deliveroo, or Food Panda.

Why buy this:
  • Traditional rice dumpling with a twist
  • Made with only the finest ingredients
  • Available in a variety of delicious flavours
  • ISO 9001 certification and HACCP certified production process
Check out Bee Cheng Hiang >

2. Hoo Kee Bak Chang

best rice dumplings Singapore
Hoo Kee Bak Chang – Best Rice Dumplings Singapore

Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee

Hoo Kee Bak Chang Singapore is a popular stall known for its Hokkien-style bak zhang or pork zong zi, which come in four varieties: salted egg, original, mushroom, and deluxe all-in. What sets these rice dumplings apart from the list is that they have been validated by Michelin’s Bib Gourmand listing! Aside from that, Hoo Kee’s bak changs are cooked fresh every morning using hand-picked ingredients. This guarantees piping hot rice dumplings Singapore with a delicious aroma and freshness that’s not seen in packaged or frozen ones.

If you can’t drop by Bukit Merah Central or Amoy Street Food Centre Singapore, you can order your favourite zongzi Singapore online and have them delivered right to your home. However, since their bak zhangs are traditionally made every day, you should place your order at least two days in advance (5 days for bulk orders).

Why buy this:
  • Served fresh and piping hot daily
  • Featured in Michelin Bib Gourmand listing
  • A delicious and authentic recipe passed down since the 1940s
Check out Hoo Kee Bak Zhang Singapore >

3. Man Fu Yuan – Best Rice Dumplings Singapore

rice dumplings in Singapore
Man Fu Yuan – Best Rice Dumpling in Singapore

Handmade delicacies from the past and beyond

Restaurants and hotels have been incorporating different flavours and luxurious ingredients into rice dumplings over the years, resulting in truly unique and delicious combinations. So, we are happy to say that the legacy of the Dumpling Festival continues at Man Fu Yuan this year! The acclaimed Chinese fine dining restaurant offers a variety of traditional and modern delights, as well as premium gift packages that come in a rice dumpling carrier. Plus, they offer rice dumpling workshops that provide a hands-on experience.

Those who have enjoyed Man Fu Yuan’s dumplings before will definitely enjoy its distinctive XO Sauce Nyonya Rice Dumpling again. This dish is packed with flavour and will tantalise your taste buds! It features minced pork marinated in homemade XO chilli sauce and sweetened with winter melon and dried shrimp.

Why buy this:
  • Handcrafted especially for Dragon Boat Festival
  • Unique and delicious flavour combinations
Check out Man Fu Yuan at InterContinental Singapore >

4. Thye Moh Chan

best rice dumpling
Best Rice Dumpling Singapore – Thye Moh Chan

Thye Moh Chan has a loyal following thanks to its handcrafted traditional Teochew-baked delicacies. Though it’s best known for its authentic pastries, we think its Teochew rice dumplings Singapore are also worth a try. With golden salted egg yolk, pork, shiitake mushroom, chestnut, and dried shrimp, the Teochew Salted Egg Bak Chang is a surefire hit with savory food fans! They also have the Double Delight Bak Chang, which is a well-balanced sweet and savory flavour with its sweet tau sar produced from quality mung beans. These are Dragon Boat Festival specials, so you can enjoy them until May 27th this year!

Why buy this:
  • Authentic Teochew style recipe
  • Perfect for both sweet and savory food fans
Check out Thye Moh Chan >

5. Xin Cuisine Abalone Rice Dumpling

abalone rice dumpling
Xin Cuisine Abalone – Best Rice Dumplings in Singapore

This year, Xin Cuisine Singapore will curate exquisite zongzi Singapore flavours for Dragon Boat Festival, and the Unagi Abalone Dumpling is the newest addition to their menu. It was created by their Hong Kong chefs, and it packs a punch of sweetness and umami that hits all the right notes. We also like the addition of abalone since it is high in minerals and nutrients that are necessary for immune system building. So, for a rice dumpling that is both flavourful and nutritious, Xin’s Unagi Abalone Dumpling is the perfect treat and gift for your loved ones.

Why buy this:
  • A perfect combination of sweet and umami
  • Also rich in minerals and nutrients
  • Recipe specially curated for Dragon Boat Festival this year
Check out Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant >

6. Joo Chiat Kim Choo – Best Rice Dumplings Singapore

Joo Chiat
Joo Chiat – Best Rice Dumplings Singapore

Singapore’s #1 rice dumpling brand

Joo Chiat Kim Choo started as a little stall at 34 Joo Chiat Place, and it has been a joy to see them develop to become Singapore’s number one rice dumpling brand. This store is known as Joo Chiat’s “golden pearl” because of the high-quality goods and exceptional service for the best customer experience. What’s more, there are many different types of rice dumplings, but we especially love the Emperor’s Rice Dumplings. It is, as the name implies, a divine masterpiece worthy of royalty with delicious ingredients such as braised pork, dried scallops, lup cheong, salted egg yolk, and much more.  It’s even boosted with a combination of 22 spices known only to the business!

Why buy this:
  • Has a flavourful combination of secret spices
  • One of the most popular zongzi or rice dumplings Singapore
Check out Joo Chiat Kim Choo >

7. Golden Peony’s Bak Chang

Golden Peony
Golden Peony – Best Rice Dumpling in Singapore

If you’re looking for some of the best Cantonese cuisine around, Golden Peony has to be your first culinary stop. This year, the restaurant is bringing back its signature abalone traditional Hong Kong-style rice dumpling, which features a sumptuous 20-head abalone. There are also a variety of vegetarian options available, such as velvet mushroom rice dumplings made with 5 types of rice and grains, chestnuts, and premium morel mushrooms. And don’t worry if you have a sweet tooth because the red bean paste and Gula Melaka rice dumplings are also available here!

Why buy this:
  • Vegetarian and sweet options are available
  • Signature Hong Kong-style recipe
Check out Golden Peony >

8. Peach Blossoms – Best Rice Dumplings Singapore

rice dumplings
Peach Blossoms – Best Rice Dumpling Singapore

What makes Peach Blossoms so special is their fresh and contemporary energy. This restaurant does a great job of reviving classic Singapore zongzi by using fresh seasonal produce and modern cooking techniques. Their presentation is also very artistic! For starters, the Blazing Pig Trotter Rice Dumpling is one-of-a-kind, with pork tenderloin in fermented bean curd, abalone, Japanese flower mushrooms, and chestnuts. There’s also the crowd favourite Premium XO Cantonese Dumpling that can elevate your indulgence with its robust assortment of ingredients coupled with the chef’s special homemade XO sauce. Gift packages are also available if you want to share the excitement with your friends and family!

Why buy this:
  • Labouriously crafted by an award-winning chef
  • Made with seasonal ingredients
  • Includes a complimentary jar of Peach Blossoms homemade dried shrimp chilli paste
Check out Peach Blossoms >

9. The Hainan Story’s Hainanese Grandma Rice Dumpling

The Hainan Story
The Hainan Story – Best Rice Dumplings in Singapore

Age-old nostalgic sticky rice dumplings

The Hainan Story team has worked together with various Hainanese chefs to produce cosy and nostalgic dishes. And for the Dragon Boat Festival this year, this shop commemorates the time-honoured heritage with age-old traditional glutinous rice dumplings Singapore. The famous Hainanese Grandma Rice Dumpling is made from an old recipe handed down by a Hainanese grandmother. Having said that, this recipe brings back memories of one’s granny and her mouth-watering, home-cooked meals! It comes in a box of four together with a bottle of Hainanese sambal chilli. You can also order via the website or pick them up in stores.

Why buy this:
  • Classic taste that exudes nostalgia
  • Authentic Hainanese style recipe
Check out The Hainan Story >

10. Min Jiang Laksa Dumpling with Sambal Chilli

Min Jiang Laksa Dumpling with Sambal Chilli
Min Jiang Laksa Dumpling – Best Rice Dumplings Singapore

Like your dishes spicy? Good news because The Deli at Goodwood Park Hotel serves Laksa Dumplings with Sambal Chilli! It features shredded chicken and Sakura Ebi, as well as a traditional spice blend of chillies, lemongrass, and laksa leaves. Plus, it’s much better with their handmade sambal chilli to make your meal spicier and more flavourful. And thanks to this flavour combination, this zongzi Singapore variant has quickly become a local favourite in Singapore.

Why buy this:
  • Spicy and flavourful combination
  • Exquisitely handcrafted by Min Jiang’s Dim Sum chefs
Check out The Deli at Goodwood Park >

 

We hope that our guide on the 10 Best Rice Dumplings in Singapore has helped you pick the best rice dumpling, zongzi, and bak zhang for Dragon Boat Festival. Please share this with your family and friends if you have found it useful!


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