10 traditional dishes you should try to honour the annual Dragon Boat Festival

People all over China and other parts of the world gather together on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month to commemorate the great poet and statesman, Qu Yuan. The Dragon Boat Festival is like a big, colourful party on the water, and you definitely don’t want to miss it. I mean, unless you’re not based in China.

So, why the name “Dragon Boat Festival“? Well, it’s because of the legendary dragon boats that steal the show. These boats are long and narrow, decorated with fierce-looking dragon heads at the front. They’re like the party buses of the water world, except with oars and less terrible dance moves.

The Dragon Boat Festival is known for its exhilarating races. Teams of rowers paddle like their lives depend on it, trying to outdo each other. It’s like a high-speed water chase, but everyone’s having a great time instead of being chased by a shark or something. This festival in Malaysia is just as exciting and meaningful as its counterparts in other parts of the world. It’s a cultural extravaganza that brings people together to honour their heritage and have a great time.

Just like every other festival, we as Malaysians, tend to focus on the food aspect of it. Despite not being as mainstream, the Dragon Boat Festival actually features some yummy dishes on its own. To those celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival, do you recognise these iconic albeit traditional dishes?

Here, we bring you the 10 best dishes to have in Malaysia to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival in 2023.

1. Bak Chang

Bak Chang, also known as “Meat Dumplings,” is a mouthwatering delight that captures the essence of savoury indulgence. Imagine unwrapping a package made of bamboo leaves to reveal a tantalising blend of flavours and textures.

At the heart of Bak Chang is the filling, which is a treasure trove of ingredients. Marinated pork takes centre stage, providing a juicy and flavorful bite. The pork is typically seasoned with a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fragrant spices, resulting in a savoury profile that leaves your taste buds craving more.

But that’s not all! Mushrooms play a crucial role in adding an earthy and umami-rich dimension to the filling. Dried shrimps bring a delightful hint of brininess, complementing the other ingredients perfectly. And to add a touch of sweetness and nuttiness, chestnuts make their appearance, offering a delightful crunch with each bite.

2. Osmanthus Rice Cake

Osmanthus Rice Cake is a sweet treat that combines the richness of glutinous rice flour, the sweetness of sugar, and the aromatic charm of osmanthus flowers. This delightful combination results in a soft, slightly chewy cake that captivates both the senses and the heart.

The real star of the show is the osmanthus flowers. These small, golden-yellow blossoms are renowned for their delicate fragrance, often described as floral with hints of apricot or peach. The flowers are typically dried and then infused into the cake batter, allowing their aromatic essence to permeate throughout.

During the preparation of the Osmanthus Rice Cake, the glutinous rice flour, sugar, and osmanthus flowers are mixed together with water to form a smooth batter. The batter is then poured into a container or a heatproof dish, ready for steaming. The steaming process is crucial as it allows the cake to cook gently, ensuring a moist and tender texture.

When you take a bite of Osmanthus Rice Cake, you experience a delightful interplay of textures and flavours. The cake’s soft and slightly chewy nature contrasts the delicate fragrance of the osmanthus flowers. Each bite carries the sweet aroma of the flowers, making it a truly sensory experience.

3. Jiandui

Jiandui are crispy treats made of wheat or sticky rice flour, all covered in sesame goodness. According to folklore, the rainy season before the festival happens because of these holes in the sky. Thus, it’s believed that these little balls can actually fill up those holes and stop the rain.

In the southeast province of Fujian, they’ve really embraced the celebration of Jiandui. People gather around, munching on these tasty treats, and hoping that their Jiandui-eating powers will put an end to the rain. It’s like a fun way to fight off the gloomy weather and bring some sunshine into their lives.

So, picture this: you’ve got these golden brown fried balls, with a satisfying crunch on the outside and that sticky, chewy goodness on the inside. And the sesame seeds? They add this awesome nutty flavour and a little bit of extra crunch.

4. Five-Coloured Rice Dumplings

When it comes to these special zongzi, the focus is not only on the flavours but also on creating a feast for the eyes. These colourful creations showcase the artistry and creativity of the makers, making them a delightful sight to behold.

To achieve the rainbow effect, different-coloured glutinous rice is used to create distinct layers within the zongzi. Glutinous rice is naturally white in colour. However, by infusing the rice with various natural ingredients, each layer can be transformed into a different vibrant hue.

As the different layers of coloured rice are carefully arranged and packed together within the bamboo leaves, the zongzi begins to take shape. The result is a visually stunning creation that resembles a miniature rainbow, showcasing a kaleidoscope of colours within each bite.

When you unravel the bamboo leaves and take your first bite of the rainbow zongzi, your senses are treated to a combination of flavours and textures. The individual layers come together harmoniously, creating a unique and delightful taste experience that is as captivating as its appearance.

5. Ricefield Eel

Now, when we talk about eels, we’re talking about something more than just unagi. And when it comes to the Dragon Boat Festival, people in southern China can’t resist indulging in some mouthwatering eel dishes. 

Picture this: tender and nutritive eel, straight from the rice fields, at its absolute prime during this festival. It’s the perfect time to savour its incredible flavour and enjoy its nutritional benefits.

One popular way to enjoy eel during the festival is by stewing it with tofu and mushrooms. Oh boy, the resulting soup is nothing short of amazing—tender, sweet, and full of deliciousness. 

But wait, there’s more! Another popular way to cook eel is by braising it with garlic. The combination of garlic’s aromatic goodness and the eel’s succulent texture creates a dish that’s simply irresistible. It’s no wonder people can’t get enough of it!

So, you see, during the Dragon Boat Festival, the eel takes centre stage alongside the famous Zongzi. It’s a beloved delicacy that people look forward to, and it’s a big part of the culinary traditions in southern China.

6. Tea Eggs

In the Jiangxi Province, they’ve got this thing where they take regular chicken eggs (sometimes even duck or goose eggs) and boil them in a special tea concoction. Now, once these eggs are fully cooked and all steeped in the tea goodness, the real fun begins. They take these beauties and paint the shells red.

They don’t just stop at painting them red. Oh no, they go the extra mile and hang these tea eggs on a net bag. Why, you ask? Well, it’s believed that hanging these red eggs around children’s necks is a way to ward off bad luck and misfortune. It’s like a magical charm, bringing good vibes and keeping the bad stuff away. 

So, picture this: you’ve got these cool-looking red eggs, hanging in a net bag, doing their thing to protect the little ones from any bad mojo. It’s like a superstition turned into a delicious snack!

7. Thin Pancake

These super soft pancakes, thin and delicate, are rolled up with all sorts of tasty fillings: Chinese chives, diced fried eggs, mushrooms and meat. Once you’ve got your fillings all nicely tucked inside the pancake, you take a bite and… boom! You’ve got a burst of different flavours hitting your taste buds all at once. It’s like a little surprise with every mouthful, a taste adventure that keeps you coming back for more.

You see, these thin pancakes aren’t just about the pancake itself. They’re about the experience of creating your own flavour combinations, exploring different fillings, and indulging in a bite-sized delight that’s bursting with yumminess.

8. Realgar Wine

Now, the idea behind Realgar Wine is that it’s believed to have some magical powers. People think it can dispel sickness, keep away poisonous stuff, and even scare off evil spirits. It’s like this powerful elixir that’s supposed to bring good vibes and protect you from all the bad stuff.

But here’s the thing, the popularity of Realgar Wine has kind of dipped over time. You see when you heat it up, it releases a teeny-tiny toxicant. Yeah, not the best thing to be sipping on, right? So, nowadays, people aren’t as into it as they used to be.

But hey, the tradition of rubbing it on kids’ cheeks and foreheads still hangs around. It’s like a little ritual, a way to pass on the tradition and hope for some good luck and protection. Plus, it’s a pretty fun thing to do during the festivities.

9. Glutinous Rice Roll

Imagine a thin layer of cooked glutinous rice, glistening and slightly sticky, spread out on a flat surface, ready to be transformed into a delectable treat. These rolls are reminiscent of sushi rolls but with a unique twist.

The process begins with the cooked glutinous rice, also known as sticky rice, which acts as the foundation of these rolls. The glutinous rice is specially prepared to achieve its characteristic stickiness and chewiness, creating a perfect base for the filling. Its filling consists of lap zeong, dried shrimp, peanuts and vegetables.

Once the filling ingredients are prepared, they are carefully arranged on the layer of cooked glutinous rice. The rice acts as a binder, holding the ingredients together and providing a cohesive structure. With all the components in place, the roll is gently and tightly rolled up, encapsulating the flavorful filling within.

10. Mianshanzi

Finally, we have the mianshanzi that is all the rage during the Dragon Boat Festival, especially in Minqin County in Gansu Province, Northwest China. So, picture this: you’ve got these Mianshanzi, all in a cool fan shape. But wait, there’s more! They’re not just plain and boring. Oh no, each Mianshanzi has 5 layers of vibrant colours. It’s like a rainbow on a plate! And to add some extra flavour and kick, they’re sprinkled with fried pepper powder.

But here’s the best part: these layers of Mianshanzi are not just randomly shaped. Nope, they’re pinched into all sorts of cool patterns that make them look even more appealing. Now, here’s the fun backstory to this tasty treat. It’s said that this custom of eating Mianshanzi during the Dragon Boat Festival can be traced back to the olden days when people used to make and sell fans during the festival. So, they took that fan shape and transformed it into this delicious food.

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