Cover Li Yen at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur's rice dumplings (Photo: Li Yen at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur)
Li Yen at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur's rice dumplings (Photo: Li Yen at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur)
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Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival while tucking in to these delicious rice dumplings
Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month each year and is just around the corner on June 22, 2023. To celebrate, rice dumplings, also known as bak chang or zong zi, are savoured. Crafted through a laborious process of wrapping assorted fillings and glutinous rice in bamboo leaves, mastering the art of making the aforementioned delicacies takes skill and practice.
As such, we’ve rounded up five spots selling rice dumplings, from traditional varieties to modern renditions. If you would like to learn more about the intricate art, we also spoke to the mother-daughter duo behind The Zong Zi Bar.
Read more: Father’s Day 2023: The ultimate guide to dining out
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
Above Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur's pad kra pao dumpling (Photo: Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur)
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur's pad kra pao dumpling (Photo: Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur)
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If you’re tired of generic rice dumplings and looking for unusual flavour combinations, look no further than Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur. From the pad kra pao dumpling and the white lotus truffle honey dumpling to the sweet purple rice vanilla custard dumpling, the hotel’s offerings are far from traditional. Crafted by Shang Palace’s chef Terence Foong, the dumplings are available for purchase from May 7 to June 22, 2023.
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, 11, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2032 2388
See also: In the Mood for Food 2023: 8 restaurants to put a Malaysian twist on global street food
Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown
Above Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown's rice dumplings (Photo: Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown)
Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown's rice dumplings (Photo: Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown)
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Three different rice dumplings are available at Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown this year: the beef rice dumpling, the Nyonya chicken rice dumpling, and the Kam Heong chicken rice dumpling. Available until June 25, 2023, the dumplings are available for purchase individually, or as part of a set of four.
Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown, 2, Jalan Balai Polis, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2035 7333
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The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur
Above Li Yen at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur's rice dumplings (Photo: Li Yen at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur)
Li Yen at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur's rice dumplings (Photo: Li Yen at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur)
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This year, Li Yen at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur is offering one savoury and two sweet rice dumplings. From June 9-22, 2023, available at the restaurant will be the duck and chestnut dumpling, the sweet lotus dumpling, and the red bean dumpling. The sweet options are best enjoyed with a side of honey.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, 168, Jalan Imbi, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2142 8000
Oh Bak Zhang
Founded by interior designer Nson Yap and his mother, Oh Bak Zhang’s rice dumplings are made to order and consist of pork meat, shiitake mushrooms, and dried shrimp chilli. Customers have the option to add black-eyed beans and salted egg yolks for an additional charge.
Oh Bak Zhang, Instagram/@oh.bakzhang
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Above Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur's rice dumplings (Photo: Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur)
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur's rice dumplings (Photo: Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur)
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From June 8-22, 2023, Lai Po Heen at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur will be offering its classic glutinous rice dumplings. Filled with sticky rice, meat, and spices, the dumplings are wrapped in bamboo leaves.
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2380 8888
Hilton Kuala Lumpur
Above Chynna's glutinous rice dumplings (Photo: Hilton Kuala Lumpur)
Chynna's glutinous rice dumplings (Photo: Hilton Kuala Lumpur)
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From June 1-30, 2023, Chynna at Hilton Kuala Lumpur will be serving its classic glutinous rice dumplings. Flavours include the Nyonya-style dumpling, the vegetarian dumpling with red bean and pine nuts, and the XO spicy sauce rice dumpling with salted egg yolk and chicken floss.
Hilton Kuala Lumpur, 3, Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2264 2264
Jade Pavilion
Above Jade Pavilion's Steamed Supreme Sea Treasures and Abalone rice dumpling (Photo: Jade Pavilion)
Jade Pavilion's Steamed Supreme Sea Treasures and Abalone rice dumpling (Photo: Jade Pavilion)
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Jade Pavilion at Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur's pork-free rice dumplings each take over 12 hours to craft and are available from June 12-25, 2023. Flavours include the Heritage Traditional Nyonya rice dumpling, the vegetarian Steamed Garden Vegetables and Japanese Mushroom rice dumpling, and the Steamed Supreme Sea Treasures and Abalone rice dumpling, amongst others.
Jade Pavilion, Level 8 Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur, 170, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2117 2823
JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Above JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur's rice dumplings (Photo: JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur)
JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur's rice dumplings (Photo: JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur)
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Two classic rice dumplings have been crafted by Shanghai Restaurant at JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur this year. The savoury option is filled with Spanish pork, salted egg yolk, dried scallops, and mushrooms, while the sweet rice dumpling is filled with red bean paste and osmanthus syrup. Both options are available for dine-in or takeaway from June 6-22, 2023.
JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur, 183, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2715 9000
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Katelyn is the dining and travel editor of Malaysia and Indonesia. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she offers readers an inside look at the movers and shakers in Asia’s growing food and beverage industry.
