Ever wondered the differences between the various styles of “Zong Zi”? Read on to find out more! (And yes… it all taste different!)
Aside from Hari Raya, the Dragon Boat Festival is also happening this coming Friday (7th June)! Also known as “Duan Wu Festival”, it is a Chinese traditional celebration that is tied to a myth!
via GIPHY
The Chinese celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival by eating sticky rice dumplings – made from glutinous rice, a mixture of beans, pork and salted egg wrapped in bamboo to commemorate the death of Chinese poet, Qu Yuan.
You can find variety of styles of Chinese sticky rice dumplings as each different Chinese dialect groups has their own unique way of making it! Spot the differences between these 5 Traditional Variants of Chinese Sticky Rice Dumplings (and all equally delicious!):
1. The Cantonese Style
The staple ingredient for the Cantonese style dumpling is green beans or mung beans. Check out this recipe here on how you can make your own at home!
2. The Teochew Style
The Teochew Style is slightly more on the sweeter side with an additional ingredient to their dumpling: lotus seed paste/red bean paste! If you’re a sweet tooth, you should definitely give the Teochew dumpling a try. Ah… nothing beats the ones made by our grandparents.
3. The Hokkien Style
Ask any Hokkien lang and you’ll know that Hokkiens love their porks! And because of that, it’s what makes the Hokkien-style dumpling stand out from the rest with its generous amounts of pork. And also, the glutinous rice is stir-fried – making it more distinct in flavour.
4. The Hainanese Style
If you’re always ordering food in “besar” portions, the Hainanese style dumpling is “besar-est” amongst all the rice dumplings available. Using larger pieces of ingredients and occasionally eaten with palm sugar syrup. Making every bite a satisfying one.
And of course, not forgetting…
5. Nyonya Rice Dumplings
Definitely the most colourful one of all – a sweeter version with added on candied winter melon wrapped in pandan leaves. Mm… looks as good as it tastes!
Remember to spot your neighbourhood “Zong Zi” stall as we approach the Dragon Boat Festival!
What’s your favourite style of Chinese sticky rice dumpling? Leave a comment below!
Header image credits: The Domestic Goddess Wanabe | Huang Kitchen | theMEATMENchannel
