The season has come again to try out new and quirky flavours of rice dumplings or bak chang
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ccording to tradition, the Dragon Boat Festival, or Duan Wu Jie (端午节), calls for the consuming of rice dumplings to commemorate the attempts to preserve the body of the poet Qu Yuan, in the river.
Here are some quirky or interesting rice dumplings, or zong zi (粽子), that you should taste.
Cherry Garden
Be delighted with a delectable selection of gourmet dumplings at Mandarin Oriental’s Cherry Garden.
From Jun 10 to 20, enjoy three delectable flavours – the Black Garlic Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Pork Belly and bamboo charcoal powder, Red Yeast Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Minced Chicken and, back by popular demand, the restaurant’s signature classic, the Golden Pearl Dumpling.
Mandarin Oriental, 5 Raffles Avenue, Level 5
Min Jiang
Until Jun 20, savour the new and delectable pork dumplings alongside returning favourites such as the Hae Bee Hiam Dumplings and Steamed Kee Zhang with D24 Durian Dip!
This year, Braised Pork Belly with Black Garlic Dumpling and Braised Kurobuta Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetables Dumpling are new on the menu. The braised pork belly has a robust taste with an extra smoky-sweet dimension, while the braised kurobuta pork belly is steamed for hours to render a dumpling brimming with homemade flavours, with a luxurious touch.
Regent Singapore, A Four Seasons Hotel at 1 Cuscaden Road, Level 3
Summer Palace
The dim sum chef of Summer Palace presents three handcrafted glutinous rice dumplings, from now until Jun 20. These are the Abalone Steamed Rice Dumpling, Eight Treasures Vegetarian Rice Dumpling and Osmanthus Red Date Steamed Rice Dumpling.
The new vegetarian rice dumpling is a steamed mixed-grains dumpling with Eight Treasures, such as the morel and black mushrooms, that deliver flavours and textures that are light and pleasantly complement one another.
Alternatively, indulge in the savoury Abalone Steamed Rice Dumpling and, for those with a sweet tooth, the Osmanthus Red Date Steamed Rice Dumpling.
Four Seasons Hotel, 190 Orchard Boulevard, Level 3
Park Palace
From now until Jun 20, delight in the three new rice dumplings at Park Palace inspired by Singapore’s iconic dishes – Chicken Rice, Chilli Crab and Bak Kut Teh. A compact remake of Chicken Rice, with an unmistakable fragrance and flavour of the hawker favourite, begs to be paired with the two must-have house-made dips of chilli sauce and ground ginger.
Our spicy national Chilli Crab dish also loses none of its kick when stuffed into a dumpling – with shredded crab meat cooked to juicy perfection, accompanied by a generous helping of chilli crab sauce.
For the Bak Kut Teh Dumpling, one whole juicy and tender pork rib is simmered in a broth before being stuffed into each dumpling. It’s served with a bowl of Bak Kut Teh soup, so either savour it on its own or drizzle it with the soup for a touch of herbal kick.
Grand Park City Hall, 10 Coleman Street
Wan Hao
For the whole of June, Wan Hao will be presenting four delectable handmade rice dumplings and making its debut is the Black Truffle with Pork Belly & Dried Scallops Rice Dumpling. Stuffed with perfectly-braised succulent pork belly and the finest Japanese dried scallops, savour every bite until the last succulent morsel.
Back by popular demand is the Cantonese-style Signature Pork & Salted Egg Rice Dumpling. Let your teeth sink into the combination of luscious premium pork belly and perfectly-salted egg yolk.
Marriott Tang Plaza, 320 Orchard Road
By Rydell Tan
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