Time flies – I didn’t realise the Rice Dumpling Festival is actually on the 12th of June this year, and that’s just next week! Known popularly also as the Duanwu Festival and Dragon Boat Festival, it falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month in the Chinese calendar. Like any good Chinese festival, there’s always a story or myth behind it. So, for the story on how the Duanwu Festival came about, check it out here.
Abalone Rice Dumpling with Cordycep Flowers and Dried Scallops
If you do not have time to make your own rice dumplings, why not check out the ones offered in Zuan Yuan, the Chinese Restaurant in One World Hotel? This year, their Dimsum Chef Jordan Chin has come up with 3 kinds.
Rice Dumpling with Roasted Duck and Five Beans
For those who love the Hong Kong style dumplings, do try the Abalone Rice Dumpling with Cordycep Flowers and Dried Scallops (RM68) or the Rice Dumpling with Roasted Duck and Five Beans filling (RM28). The 5 types of beans used in this dumpling are red beans, green beans, black-eyed peas, peanuts and corn. The sweet Steamed Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Red Bean Paste and Lotus Seed (RM9) is equally irresistible. The 2 savoury dumplings are huge, each easily weighing 600g!
Steamed Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Red Bean Paste and Lotus Seed (RM9)
Besides the main ingredients mentioned in the names, the dumplings are made of glutinous rice and stuffed with a variety of different fillings, such as salted egg yolk, chestnut, mushroom, mung beans and wrapped in bamboo leaves.
As Chef Jordan explained it, the golden yellow tinge of the rice in the Abalone Rice Dumpling with Cordycep Flowers and Dried Scallops is a result of soaking the glutinuous rice overnight in a broth made by boiling the cordycep flowers which are naturally yellow in colour.
To ensure the rice dumplings are cooked well with a fine smooth texture, the 2 bigger savoury ones are boiled for 7 hours while the sweet one is boiled for 4 hours.
The good news is that even though the festival falls on 12 June, the dumplings are available in Zuan Yuan until 30 June 2013. They are available during lunch and dinner for dine-in and take-away.
Dimsum Chef Jordan Chin with his Dumplings!
For reservations or orders, please call Zuan Yuan at 603 7681 1159.
Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurant
One World Hotel
First Avenue
Bandar Utama City Centre
47800 Petaling Jaya
Phone +603 7681 1111