Cover The must-have Hokkien Rice Dumpling at every Dragon Boat Festival (Photo: Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur)
The must-have Hokkien Rice Dumpling at every Dragon Boat Festival (Photo: Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur)
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Zongzi may be the star of the Dragon Boat Festival, but there is so much more to savour than sticky rice and bamboo leaves
Marked on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, this ancient celebration pays tribute to the poet Qu Yuan, whose enduring legacy is honoured through boat races, family feasts, and the iconic dumpling-shaped parcels we know and love today.
Across Malaysia, chefs are putting their own spin on tradition, from glutinous rice dumplings bursting with luxury ingredients to creative reinventions like zongzi croissants and truffle-laced fillings. Whether you are after nostalgia, novelty, or a weekend of rest and indulgence, here are some of the most delicious and unique ways to celebrate the season this year.
See also: 10 new restaurants, cafés, and bars in Malaysia to visit in June 2025
The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur
Celebrate with elegance at Li Yen, where glutinous rice dumplings are masterfully prepared with authentic Cantonese flair. Choose from a savoury Duck & Chestnut dumpling or opt for the sweet Lotus or Red Bean versions—each one wrapped with precision and centuries of tradition.
This is classic Cantonese craftsmanship at its finest—delicious, delicate, and destined to impress.
The Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur, 168, Jalan Imbi, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2142 8000
The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi
Above The right way to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival, by the beach (Photo: The Ritz Carlton Langkawi)
The right way to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival, by the beach (Photo: The Ritz Carlton Langkawi)
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If a long weekend escape is on the cards, head to Langkawi for a soulful celebration at Hai Yan. Here, Dim Sum Chef Kit Wong honours his family’s multi-generational dumpling recipe with three meaningful creations: the lavish Abalone & Conpoy Treasure, the comforting Signature Hakka Dumpling, and the floral, delicate Red Bean, Osmanthus & Honey dumpling.
Come for the view, stay for the dumplings—this is heritage storytelling wrapped in flavour.
The Ritz Carlton Langkawi, Jalan, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, +604 952 4888
JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur
Savour a Shanghainese take on the festival at Shanghai. These indulgent glutinous rice dumplings stay true to the classics while channelling the restaurant’s signature opulence. Whether you choose to dine in or opt for takeaway, Shanghai brings timeless flavours straight to your table.
Sumptuous, refined, and steeped in tradition—this is Dragon Boat dining done the Shanghai way.
JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur, 183, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2715 9000
Read more: The best 12 casual yet romantic date night spots in Klang Valley that will not break the bank
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
Above Mouth-watering Celestial Blue Pearl Nyonya for all Malaysians to try during Dragon Boat Festival (Photo: Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur)
Above Elevated way to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival with the Truffle Rice Dumpling (Photo: Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur)
Mouth-watering Celestial Blue Pearl Nyonya for all Malaysians to try during Dragon Boat Festival (Photo: Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur)
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This year, Shang Palace goes beyond the expected with a luxurious lineup of zongzi that reflects Malaysia’s diverse culinary heritage. Indulge in standout creations like the Fragrant Peaks & Azure Tides Dumpling, Truffle-Infused Smoked Duck Dumpling, or the Celestial Blue Pearl Nyonya Dumpling, beautifully tinged with blue pea flower. Thoughtfully crafted vegetarian and traditional alkaline dumplings round out the collection, which is also available in the exquisite Heritage of Asia Gift Box—a stunning six-piece hamper designed for meaningful gifting.
Elevated, extravagant, and utterly irresistible—this is where tradition meets timeless luxury.
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, 11, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2032 2388
Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur
Above Steamed Sweet Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Red Bean, Traditional Steamed Rice Dumpling with Baby Abalone & Five Spice Rice Dumpling with Pork Belly (Photo: Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur)
Steamed Sweet Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Red Bean, Traditional Steamed Rice Dumpling with Baby Abalone & Five Spice Rice Dumpling with Pork Belly (Photo: Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur)
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At Grand Millennium’s award-winning Chinese restaurant, Lai Ching Yuen, the dumplings are handcrafted with intention and layered with flavour. Highlights include the luscious Sweet Red Bean Dumpling, the Five-Spice Pork Belly Dumpling, and a decadent Baby Abalone version featuring roast duck and dried scallop. Whether gifted or enjoyed with loved ones, each one is a flavourful celebration of tradition reimagined.
Every bite is a taste of nostalgia—wrapped, steamed, and served with soul.
Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur, 160, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2117 4888
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur
At Tao Chinese Cuisine, tradition is elevated with flair. Master Dim Sum Chef Lo presents a refined collection of glutinous rice dumplings, led by the dazzling Golden Premium Hong Kong–style Dumpling—a returning favourite that embodies craftsmanship and celebration.
Golden, glorious, and guaranteed to impress—this is how you honour the festival in style with family and friends!
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, 165, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2782 6000
Fiancée @ The MET
Zongzi with a twist? Fiancée's Zongzi Croissant is the creative crossover you did not know you needed. Wrapped in golden, flaky pastry and filled with fragrant purple rice, this festive hybrid is buttery, bold, and seriously addictive.
Flaky, festive, and full of flair—get it before it’s gone!
Fiancée @ The MET, LG-04, Menara The MET, Jalan Dutamas 2, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, +6014 934 9311
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Raisa, our Dining Writer, grew up in a multicultural household where food was more than just a meal—it was a way of expressing love. With Malay, Chinese, and Indian heritage, she was constantly surrounded by diverse flavors, home-cooked feasts, and the joy of sharing meals with family.
Her passion for food deepened during her studies in the UK, where she experienced vastly different dining cultures. A firm believer in the power of food to tell stories, she loves traveling, experimenting with local dishes, and uncovering hidden gems to share with others.
When she’s not writing about food, she’s likely munching on chips, chocolates, or whatever snack is within reach.
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Raisa covers all things food and drink, from emerging dining trends to timeless culinary traditions. She enjoys spotlighting new talent, discovering innovative menus, and sharing the best of the local dining scene with the world.
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