Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Dumpling Festival with a feast of wrapped rice dumplings this year!

The Dragon Boat Festival, a vibrant and exciting affair, splashes its way into our calendars typically around late May or early June. In 2025, the festival will take place on 31 May 2025.

More than just a day for indulging in delicious sticky rice dumplings, this festival is steeped in history and cultural significance, offering a fascinating glimpse into ancient Chinese traditions.

The Origins of Dragon Boat Festival

At its heart lies a poignant tale. The festival commemorates the life and death of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet and statesman of the Chu kingdom during the Warring States period. Distraught by the corruption and decline of his kingdom, legend has it that Qu Yuan tragically took his own life by throwing himself into the Miluo River. The local people, who deeply admired him, raced out in their boats to try and save him, beating drums and splashing their paddles to ward off evil spirits and prevent fish from devouring his body. They also threw sticky rice dumplings into the river as an offering.

This act of remembrance forms the very essence of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Traditions of Dragon Boat Festival

The thrilling dragon boat races we see today are a direct echo of that desperate rescue attempt, with teams paddling long, ornately decorated boats to the rhythmic beat of a drum. These races are not just a test of strength and teamwork; they are a vibrant spectacle, full of energy and community spirit.

Beyond the exhilarating races, the eating of zongzi (those aforementioned sticky rice dumplings) is another crucial part of the celebration. These glutinous rice parcels, filled with various sweet or savoury fillings and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, are a delicious way to connect with the festival's origins.

Families used to gather to make and share zongzi, passing down recipes through generations. While this is seldom the case nowadays, the tradition of eating zongzi still continues (or simply because they are really delicious too)

To help you get your dumplings, here's a list that you won't want to miss! 

List of Places to Get Your Rice Dumplings

Thye Moh Chan's Heritage Teochew Bak Chang

Embrace the spirit of the Dragon Boat Festival with Thye Moh Chan’s enticing selection of handcrafted Teochew Bak Chang, meticulously prepared with time-honoured recipes and high-quality ingredients. From now to 31 May 2025, the festive collection will be available at selected BreadTalk, Toast Box, and Thye Moh Chan stores, as well as through various delivery platforms. 

Available individually or in bundles of six or ten, the bundle options come beautifully presented in a complimentary limited-edition gift bag – an ideal way to share the joy of the season with family and friends.  

Feng Shui Inn @ Resorts World Sentosa - Festive Bundle

Celebrate Dumpling Festival with an exclusive handcrafted collection from Feng Shui Inn, the renowned Cantonese restaurant at Resorts World Sentosa. This year, Feng Shui Inn elevates tradition with limited-edition festive bundles that includes 

• A set of six artisanal dumplings
  • Dried Seafood Steam Dumplings – A luxurious blend of abalone, dried scallops, and golden shrimp, paired with classic ingredients like salted egg yolk, tender pork belly, and shiitake mushrooms.
  • Yunnan Wild Mushroom & Fish Maw Zongzi – A nourishing and umami-packed creation infused with combination of rare wild mushrooms from Yunnan (porcini, thelephora, and sarcodon imbricatus mushrooms) and elevated with dried scallops, dried abalone, and salted meat to enhance the umami flavour porcini, ganba, and tiger paw mushrooms.
  • Trio Date Sweet Dumping – A wholesome, naturally sweet delight featuring three types of Chinese dates (southern jujube, honey dates, and red date), with a smooth red bean paste filling wrapped in nutritious quinoa and pearl glutinous rice.
• A bottle of Feng Shui Inn’s signature XO Sauce
• A bottle of Feng Shui Inn’s Sweet Tangerine Sauce
• A stylish, reusable thermal bag

Each festive bundle is priced at $128 and will be available for order from now to 31 May, on the website: https://www.rwsentosa.com/dumpling2025

Dried Oyster & Conpoy Dumpling from Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant

Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant presents a gourmet treat steeped in tradition—the Dried Oyster & Conpoy Dumpling (蚝豉瑶柱裹蒸粽).

Boasting rich umami flavours with a hint of natural sweetness, this exquisite dumpling features succulent smoked duck, Japanese conpoy, dried oysters, and other premium ingredients enveloped in fragrant glutinous rice. Perfect for solo indulgence or as a thoughtful gift for loved ones, the Dried Oyster & Conpoy Dumpling is a must-have for this season. 

New Rice Dumpling Flavours at Goodwood Park Hotel

Goodwood Park Hotel is delighted to unveil a refreshed selection of handcrafted glutinous rice dumplings in celebration of this year’s Dragon Boat Festival – a time-honoured Chinese tradition marked by the sharing of Zong Zi (粽子), symbolising unity and heritage

This year, two new products, the Dried Oyster & Pork Dumpling and Cantonese-style Rice Dumpling are set to launch alongside returning mainstay, the Mini ‘Kee Zhang’ with D24 Durian Dip. These delectable offerings, each lovingly wrapped in bamboo leaves and steeped in rich, innovative and nostalgic flavours, will be available at The Deli (for takeaway only), Min Jiang and Min Jiang at Dempsey.

Pre-orders can be placed directly at the respective restaurants or at The Deli (for self-collection only), or via The Deli Online Shop (for delivery or self-collection), starting from 1 May 2025. Pre-orders must be made at least 3 days in advance, with the last pre-order date being 28 May 2025.

Dian Xiao Er's Specialty Dumplings

Dian Xiao Er celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival with the return of its beloved glutinous rice dumplings, a delicious tribute to patriotism, loyalty, and tradition. Available from 29 April to 31 May 2025 at all outlets.

Unwrap the goodness with two classic flavours: Traditional Salty Pork Dumpling and Nyonya Pork Dumpling. Perfect for gifting or sharing, enjoy a Buy 4 Free 1 bundle (mix and match any flavours) that comes with a limited-edition gift box, while stocks last. *Dumplings are sold frozen for takeaway only. Simply heat and enjoy at home.

To sweeten the celebration, try the Matcha Red Bean Mousse or mix and match 5 mochi desserts for just $10. Don’t forget to pair your dumplings with DXE’s signature Chilli Sauce, now 20% off during the promo period.

Peach Blossoms, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore

Peach Blossoms at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore presents a curated line-up of rice dumplings by Executive Chinese Chef Edward Chong and his culinary team, handcrafted with the finest ingredients using time-honoured techniques.

New this year is the Traditional Abalone, Preserved Vegetables and Pork Belly Rice Dumpling, wrapped in fragrant bamboo leaves and packed with premium ingredients. Delivering a rich and savoury flavour profile, it features abalone, slow-braised Kurobuta pork belly, shiitake mushroom, chestnut and homemade preserved vegetables.

This year’s collection also includes returning crowd favourites such as the signature Premium X.O. Cantonese Rice Dumpling and Traditional Five Spices Kurobuta Pork Belly Rice Dumpling.

Pre-orders are now available via the e-shop at  https://bit.ly/handcrafted-rice-dumpling-2025, with a 20% Early Bird Discount from now until 11 May 2025 (and 15% off on purchases made with selected credit cards from 12 until 31 May 2025. 

Joo Chiat Kim Choo

Heritage brand Joo Chiat Kim Choo unveils a collection of eight unique rice dumpling gift sets, ideal for gifting families, friends or valued business partners. Known as the Golden Pearl of Joo Chiat, Joo Chiat Kim Choo takes pride in crafting top-quality products and delivering them with a personal touch for unforgettable experiences. Each rice dumpling is expertly crafted using a guarded 80-year-old traditional recipe of 22 ingredients and spices, a family secret passed down from the masters of each generation to the next.

Purchase your dumplings islandwide at:

• 17 to 31 May: Pop up at Joo Chiat Kim Choo’s headquarters at 30B Quality Road, with interactive games and displays 
• 15 April to 1 June 2025: Joo Chiat Kim Choo’s Flagship Store at 77 Circuit Road & at more than 20 popup stores island-wide and https://www.joochiatkimchoo.com.sg/. 

Paradise Group

Paradise Group introduces two new bold flavours for their 2025 Rice Dumplings line-up. New on their menu is the Roasted Iberico Pork with XO Sauce Rice Dumpling, a modern take on classic flavours, this dumpling features succulent Iberico pork belly, premium dried shrimp, conpoy, and umami XO sauce and the new Braised Pork with Conpoy and Mushroom Rice Dumpling, features gelatinous yet tender braised pork, alongside conpoy and mushroom.

Returning favourites this year includes Abalone with Salted Pork Belly Brown Rice Dumpling, Pork with Conpoy and Chestnut Rice Dumpling, Black Truffle Honey BBQ Iberico Pork Rice Dumpling, Braised Pork Belly with “Mui Choy” Rice Dumpling and dessert-style dumplings includes Osmanthus Gula Melaka Red Bean Paste Lye Water Rice Dumpling. The Paradise Group’s Rice Dumpling Gift Set is also ideal for gifting. The exclusive gift bag carrier is specially designed, featuring a royal blue-and-gold bed of flower blossoms and a butterfly charm. 

Din Tai Fung’s Dragon Boat Festival Specials

This Dragon Boat Festival, Din Tai Fung invites all to rediscover the joy of tradition with its popular Din Tai Fung’s Pineapple Cakes 鼎泰豐凤梨酥, accompanied by a perennial menu favourite – the Red Bean Rice Dumpling 豆沙粽. Together, this delectable duo encapsulates the essence of the season, honouring age-old traditions while delighting the senses with refined craftsmanship and flavour

Din Tai Fung’s  Pineapple Cakes 鼎泰豐凤梨酥 ($32.80+/box of 10) have won hearts with their exceptional flavour and meticulous craftsmanship. Each piece boasts a buttery, crumbly crust filled with luscious jam made from fresh Taiwan pineapples, coveted for their low acidity and delicate sweetness.

In addition, partake in the celebrations with Din Tai Fung’s Red Bean Rice Dumpling 豆沙粽 ($8.80+/piece), a cherished classic available throughout the year. Each dumpling is handcrafted with premium pearl glutinous rice and velvety red bean paste. Wrapped in aromatic bamboo leaves in its distinctive pillow shape, this pillowy-soft treat brings a comforting sense of nostalgia with every bite.

Din Tai Fung’s Pineapple Cakes 鼎泰豐凤梨酥 will be available at all Din Tai Fung restaurants island-wide from 1 May 2025, as well as online via GrabFood, foodpanda, and Deliveroo, while stocks last. The Red Bean Rice Dumpling 豆沙粽 is available on the menu at all Din Tai Fung restaurants, except Velocity at Novena Square.

Swensen’s Pulut Hitam Rice Dumpling Ice Cream

In celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival, Swensen’s brings back their iconic Pulut Hitam Rice Dumpling Ice Cream, the perfect treat to share with family and friends and an extra delicious way to honour the festival.

Available till 30 June 2025 or while stocks last, Swensen’s Pulut Hitam Rice Dumpling Ice Cream (90g, $9.80 after GST) remains a returning crowd-favourite! Shaped like the traditional sticky rice dessert, Zongzi, this innovative creation features purple rice ice cream embedded with black glutinous rice bits. Don’t forget to cut the rice dumpling in half to reveal a surprise ‘salted egg’ chocolate bon bon at its heart.