Hong Kongโs annual Dragon Boat Festival isnโt just about watching people paddle furiously across the harbour. As with many other Chinese festivities, this tradition brings you together with loved ones to bond over good food. In fact, when you start to see rice dumplings โ or zongzi โ popping up everywhere, itโs a surefire sign that the next Dragon Boat Fest is coming up. Packed with flavour and history, these carby, sweet, and savoury lumps of rice are a true seasonal gem. With so many options offered every year, it can get hard to decide which ones to grab โ so weโve compiled a curated list for your convenience.
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Rice Dumplings โ What They Symbolise & Why We Eat Them
Rice Dumplings โ What They Symbolise & Why We Eat Them
The Dragon Boat Festival is a tradition that commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a well-respected aristocrat who was considered one of ancient Chinaโs greatest poets during the Warring States period.
After being accused of treason, Qu Yuan was banished from his country โ leading him to jump into the Mi Lo River and drown himself.
The dragon boat races act as a re-enactment of the fishermen who raced in their boats to recover Qu Yuanโs body before it could be devoured by fish โ hence the beating of drums and tossing of rice dumplings in the river (to represent their attempts to distract the fish in time).
Today, crews get together on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (around June) to re-enact this rush on water. Although there isnโt any concrete origin of the โdragon boatโ itself, the dragon is symbolically thought to ward off evil water spirits and ensure good harvests (which also represents wealth and abundance).
Types Of Zongzi
While there are a myriad of different regional styles across China, most rice dumplings can be roughly categorised in two different styles: Northern and Southern.
In short, Northern zongzi are shaped like elongated cones and are sweet in flavour, while Southern zongzi are usually pyramid-shaped and stuffed with savoury ingredients. Cantonese-style zongzi in particular mirrors the more savoury style, opting for marinated pork belly and dried scallops for that umami kick alongside the salted egg yolk and chopped mushrooms.
Our Top Rice Dumpling Picks
W Hong Kong, Premium Rice Dumpling Set, HKD$329
If youโre torn between sweet or savoury, you can never go wrong with having both on hand. The Red Bean Paste with Mandarin Peel & Osmanthus Rice Dumpling is a sweet, zesty, and floral treat that rounds out the heavy-hitting flavours with red bean paste.
This set also comes with the classic canton-style zongzi of dried scallop and pork โ simple, classic, with not too much going on. And with a tangy XO Sauce? Itโs a match made in heaven. Available from 11am to 7:30pm between 22 to 31 May, these dumplings can be ordered online and picked up at the 1st floor of the hotel. Consider your dragon boat festival run sorted!
Above & Beyond, Sticky Rice Dumpling With Pandan Durian Kaya, HKD$198
While Durian may not be everyoneโs favourite fruit, those who do enjoy it definitely need to give these ICONic rice dumplings a try. Pandan and durian are an unstoppable duo to begin with, but add kaya to the mix? Thatโs a powerful summer dessert right there! Do note that these orders require three days notice prior to collection at the hotel lobbyโs Festive Counter.
Shang Palace, Deluxe Rice Dumpling Combo, HKD$328
If youโre feeling a little adventurous but not looking to get too experimental, this is a great option to consider. The Chiu-Chow Style rice dumpling served in bamboo is both sweet and savoury, but nothing too far-off from the comforting flavour signatures of Chiu Chow cuisine โ complete with a succulent roasted pork and red bean paste.
The Shangri-La Far Eastern Taipei Purple Rice Dumpling with Custard is made using a secret recipe that tastes absolutely delightful. The smooth egg custard and purple rice come together to create an irresistible texture and flavour pairing, guaranteed to win the hearts of custard bun lovers.
Cuisine Cuisine, Deluxe Rice Dumpling Duo, From HKD$338
When Cuisine Cuisine says deluxe โ they mean deluxe. The Lotus Seed Paste Rice Dumpling with Brown Sugar Syrup is lovely, but what really steals the show (in our humble opinion) is its savoury counterpart โ the Golden Oyster and Crab Roe Rice Dumpling. This dumplingโs texture, flavour, and filling to rice ratio is impeccable โ not to mention that the ingredient pairing itself is a dream. While these flavours clearly belong together, itโs not always a commonly found combination. So definitely get your hands on these while you still can!
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, Premium Sweet Rice Dumpling Set, HKD$418
This rice dumpling set is especially worth is for those with a sweet tooth. Aside from the classic red bean paste and mandarin combo, the Golden Lotus Seed Paste Rice Dumpling is also rich and oh-so-velvety smooth thanks to the lotus seed paste โ a teaser to another Mid-Autumn favourite! Gift-wrapped in a beautiful green box adorned with floral patterns and a handle, this packaging can even be kept and repurposed for many more seasons to come.
Grand Hyatt, Abalone, Compoy and Yunnan Ham Rice Dumpling, HKD$329.8
If you love your seafood, this delightful gem from Grand Hyatt is a must-try. The abalone and dried scallop give this rice dumpling a lovely chew and ocean-fresh edge, while the cured Yunnan hamโs unique, fermented flavours tie everything together. Be sure to place your orders at least one day in advance and enjoy!
Editor’s Note:ย All listed prices were correct at the time of publication.ย
Rachel Tang
Rachel Tang is the Social Media Manager and a contributing writer at Friday Club., where she combines her expertise in PR and Marketing with a passion for storytelling. She began writing for a media platform early in her career, which sparked a love for storytelling that still drives her work today. With a deep passion for fashion, music, and all things pretty, Rachel is always on the lookout for the next best thing โ and sheโs quick to rave about it to those around her.
