With just a week to go before the 2025 Dragon Boat Festival, now is the perfect time to pre-order some of the best bak chang you can find in KL and PJ.
Bak chang, known by various names depending on dialect—zongzi (Mandarin), bak zhang (Hokkien), or zhong (Cantonese)—are glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo or lotus leaves. The fillings and preparation methods differ according to regional Chinese cuisines, but the essence remains the same: a hearty, flavour-packed bundle steeped in tradition.
The most popular variety in Malaysia typically follows the Cantonese recipe. These dumplings are generously filled with marinated pork belly or duck, dried scallops, mushrooms, and salted egg yolk, all encased in glutinous rice and wrapped in fragrant leaves. Meanwhile, Shanghainese versions use soy sauce-marinated rice with five-spice seasoning for a darker, more savoury profile, usually paired with pork.
There are also sweet variations which features glutinous rice cooked in lye water. These yellow-coloured dumplings are springy in texture and served plain, often dipped in sugar syrup as a dessert option.
Whether you prefer savoury or sweet, pork-filled or vegetarian, there’s a bak chang out there for everyone. Scroll on for our top picks on where to buy the best bak chang in KL and PJ this Dragon Boat Festival.
(Hero and feature images credit: Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur)
Where to order the best bak chang in KL and PJ this Dragon Boat Festival 2025
Lai Ching Yuen at Grand Millennium KL is rolling out a trio of handcrafted bak chang, each carefully wrapped in bamboo leaves and stuffed with premium fillings. Choose from a sweet red bean dumpling, a pork belly version seasoned with five-spice, or a luxurious option featuring baby abalone.
Steamed Sweet Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Red Bean: RM18++
Five Spice Rice Dumpling with Pork Belly: RM38++
Traditional Steamed Rice Dumpling with Baby Abalone: RM68++
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur raises the bar with a range of rice dumplings available through its celebrated Cantonese restaurant, Shang Palace. Headed by Chef Keith Yeap, the team has created a lineup that includes Fragrant Peaks & Azure Tides Dumpling layered with premium ingredients, Truffle-Infused Smoked Duck Dumpling, and the traditional Hokkien-style Chicken Rice Dumpling. Vegetarian and sweet options like the Golden Chickpea & Wild Mushroom Dumpling and Alkaline Red Bean Dumpling round out the menu. A six-piece gift set featuring signature selections is also available in beautifully designed packaging.
Shang Palace Fragrant Peaks & Azure Tides Dumpling: RM188
Hokkien Style Chicken Rice Dumpling: RM48 nett
Truffle-Infused Smoked Duck Dumpling: RM68 nett
Celestial Blue Pearl Nyonya Dumpling: RM48 nett
Imperial Golden Chickpea & Wild Mushroom Vegetarian Dumpling: RM48 nett
Traditional Alkaline Rice Dumpling with Red Bean: RM38 nett
Traditional Alkaline Rice Dumpling: RM38 nett
Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur is offering a specially curated Dragon Boat Festival Rice Dumpling Set that combines four distinct dumpling styles in one package. The set includes a Traditional Supreme Dumpling, a Millet Dumpling, a Sweet Bean Alkaline Rice Dumpling, and an Alkaline Dumpling with Coconut Kaya. It’s a great option for those who want to sample different textures and flavours—ranging from hearty savoury fillings to classic sweet favourites.
Dragon Boat Festival Rice Dumpling Set: RM105 nett
The award-winning Tao Chinese Cuisine at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur presents an elevated selection of dumplings made by dim sum master Chef Lo. This year’s choices include the Spicy Nyonya Rice Dumpling, filled with scallops, dried shrimp, and chicken floss, and the Five-Spice Rice Dumpling, which features free-range chicken, black-eyed beans, and dried oysters. For those celebrating with family or looking for a festive bundle, the Prosperity Set includes six dumplings of your choice, beautifully boxed for gifting or sharing.
Spicy Nyonya Rice Dumpling: RM58 nett
Five-Spice Rice Dumpling: RM58 nett
Prosperity Bundle: RM260 nett
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Pullman KLCC introduces a diverse and inclusive lineup this year, ideal for those seeking both traditional and plant-based options. Their savoury Dried Scallop & Salted Egg Dumpling is rich and indulgent, while the Nyonya-Style Rice Dumpling adds a tangy, aromatic twist to the table. The Vegan Tri-legume Dumpling, made with lentils, beans and nuts, is a great choice for plant-based diets. For a lighter, sweet finish, try the Alkaline Sticky Rice Dumpling. Each is wrapped in bamboo leaves and cooked to perfection.
Dried Scallop & Salted Egg Savoury Rice Dumpling: RM48
Nyonya-style Rice Dumpling: RM38
Vegan Tri-legume Rice Dumpling: RM28
Alkaline Sticky Rice Dumpling: RM38 for three pieces
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Hilton Kuala Lumpur’s Chynna restaurant blends classic tradition with gourmet innovation in its Dragon Boat Festival offerings. The XO Abalone & Dried Scallop Dumpling stands out for its luxurious ingredients, while the Truffle & Assorted Mushroom Dumpling is a treat for vegetarians. For those preferring something lighter, there’s the Stir-Fried Chicken & Mushroom Dumpling, and a unique dessert-style dumpling filled with Red Bean, Dark Chocolate and Walnuts.
Black Truffle and Assorted Mushroom Glutinous Rice Dumpling: RM48 nett
XO Abalone and Dried Scallop Glutinous Rice Dumpling: RM88 nett
Stir-Fried Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Chicken and Mushrooms: RM38 nett
Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Red Bean, Dark Chocolate and Walnuts: RM28 nett
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Wan Chun Ting at Sofitel KL Damansara focuses on authenticity, offering premium bak chang made with time-honoured ingredients and expert craftsmanship. Their single offering may be modest in number, but it’s made with meticulous care—from the choice of ingredients to the wrapping and cooking techniques.
Wan Chun Ting’s Bak Chang: RM48+ per piece
Sheraton PJ’s YUE offers a standout gifting option with its sets of three dumplings, available in two variants. The Signature Classic Rice Dumplings are made with five-spice marinated chicken and traditional fillings, while the Premium Rice Dumplings with Abalone add a touch of luxury to the lineup. Packaged for convenience and presentation, these dumplings are well-suited for gifting or sharing during family gatherings.
YUE Signature Classic Rice Dumplings: RM69+
YUE Premium Rice Dumplings with Abalone: RM89+
