As Dragon Boat Festival approaches on June 19, Singapore’s food scene is buzzing with the aroma of steaming bamboo leaves and glutinous rice. Whether you’re hunting for an heirloom recipe or a modern twist on the traditional pyramid-shaped dumpling, the island’s heritage brands and restaurant kitchens are ready with offerings that span every budget and palate. From Michelin-recognized specialists to hotel restaurants with luxurious fillings, here are six places to satisfy your bak zhang craving this season.
A Tradition Steeped in Flavor
Bak zhang, also known as rice dumplings, are a cornerstone of Duan Wu Jie celebrations. These parcels of sticky glutinous rice are wrapped in fragrant bamboo leaves and filled with ingredients ranging from classic salted egg yolk and pork to premium seafood and truffle. For many Singaporeans, the quest for the perfect dumpling begins and ends with a family recipe—but for those without a grandmother’s kitchen, these six vendors deliver exceptional alternatives.
1. Di Tanjong Katong: Where Bak Kwa Meets Bak Zhang
This family-run heritage brand, rooted in the Tanjong Katong neighborhood, brings its signature Iberico pork bak kwa into the bak zhang arena. At $9.80, the smoky, caramelized pork is folded with dried shrimp into a rice dumpling that offers a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Pair it with the brand’s homemade crispy sakura ebi hae bee hiam chilli ($18) for an extra kick. Their Iberico pork Nyonya rice dumpling ($8.90) features blue pea glutinous rice, winter melon, and traditional spices—a visual and flavorful standout.
2. Kim Choo Kueh Chang: An 80-Year Legacy
A household name among bak zhang aficionados, Kim Choo Kueh Chang has been crafting Nyonya rice dumplings and kuehs fresh daily for eight decades. With locations in Joo Chiat and along East Coast Road, the brand offers its famed Nyonya zhang ($6) in pork, chicken, and vegetarian varieties, plus mini sizes. Savory options include black truffle ($9.50), salted egg ($7.50), and XO sauce ($9.50) versions. For a sweet finish, try the kee zhang ($25 for 10 pieces)—alkaline glutinous rice packets best enjoyed with sugar or palm sugar syrup.
3. Hoo Kee Bak Chang: A Michelin Bib Gourmand Favorite
Operating since the 1940s, this Hokkien specialist earned Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition from 2016 through 2019 and again in 2022. At its Bukit Merah Central store, dumplings are still made fresh each morning and identified by colored raffia strings: red for chestnut and pork ($4), yellow with salted egg yolk ($5), green with mushroom ($5), and blue for the deluxe combination of all three ($6). Walk-ins are welcome, but arrive early—or place an online order for a bundle of 10.
4. Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant: Luxurious Cantonese Creations
For those willing to splurge, Wan Hao at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel unveils a lineup of Cantonese-style rice dumplings. New this year is the honey-glazed pork char siew bak zhang ($18), a four-sided pyramid packed with two-day-marinated char siew and Hong Kong liver sausage. The white pepper crab with scallop and Brazilian mushroom version ($25) delivers a peppery kick balanced by sweet-savory seafood notes. The perennial bestseller—South African abalone with karasumi and Iberico pork ($28)—returns by popular demand.
5. Joo Chiat Kim Choo: Eight Festive Gift Sets
What began as a humble stall at 34 Joo Chiat Place has grown into one of Singapore’s most recognizable bak zhang brands. This year, Joo Chiat Kim Choo offers eight festive gift sets, available online or at over 30 pop-ups islandwide. The Five Royal Stars set ($42) features rice dumplings from Singapore’s four main Chinese dialect groups—Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, and Hakka—alongside a traditional Nyonya zhang. Other options include the Sweet Petite Treasures set with kee zhang and homemade kaya, and the Emperor’s Heirloom set with lup cheong, dried scallops, and braised pork belly.
6. Jade: A Hawker Culture Tribute
Jade at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore returns with its Jade Classics collection, headlined by a chicken satay rice dumpling ($22) that pays homage to the city’s hawker heritage. Tender chicken thigh, king oyster mushrooms, and peanuts are wrapped in glutinous rice and served with house-made satay sauce. Returning favorites include the blue pea Nyonya zhang ($18) with minced pork and candied winter melon, plus the Hokkien salted egg yolk bak zhang ($18). Vegetarian diners can opt for the truffle and trio mushroom five-grain rice dumpling ($20).
Making the Most of Dragon Boat Festival
Whether you’re gifting a bundle to family or savoring dumplings at home, ordering early is key—many of these spots sell out as the festival approaches. For those new to bak zhang, start with a classic Hokkien or Nyonya version, then explore modern renditions for a taste of Singapore’s evolving culinary landscape. The tradition may be ancient, but the options are refreshingly modern.