Which zongzi should you pick for Dragon Boat Festival? Michelin-starred choices, luxurious abalone, plus gorgeous gift box sets

The Dragon Boat Festival is coming up again. Are you ready to switch into “zongzi mode”? Every year around this time, hotels pull out all the stops, wrapping their finest ingredients in rice dumplings. Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for elders or simply want to feast with family over the holiday, this year’s Michelin-level offerings make it hard to choose!

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Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 1. Spring Moon: Michelin-starred handmade classics and ultimate indulgence

For the 2026 Dragon Boat Festival, Lam Yuk-ming, executive Chinese chef at Spring Moon, The Peninsula Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, has created four luxurious seasonal rice dumplings. The regal “Whole Abalone and Jinhua Ham Steamed Rice Dumpling” (HK$738 each) starts with glutinous rice seasoned in abalone sauce, then wraps diced fresh abalone, 30-head Middle Eastern dried abalone, conpoy, Jinhua ham, and other premium fillings for an exceptionally fresh, savory taste. A holiday classic, the “Conpoy Steamed Rice Dumpling” (HK$428 each) features Hungarian pork marinated in rose liqueur and has a fragrant, soft, sticky texture. Those with a sweet tooth shouldn’t miss the “Golden Twin Lye-Water Dumplings” (HK$368), which includes a delicately sweet and aromatic aged tangerine peel red bean dumpling and a rich, smooth lotus seed paste dumpling. The hotel is also offering the “Dragon Boat Festival Gift Box” (HK$998), paired with its signature 1986-created XO chili sauce. Its packaging draws inspiration from artistic stained-glass windows, making it fitting for gifting or enjoying yourself.

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 2. The Peninsula Boutique: Dragon boat-themed gift boxes

The Peninsula Boutique has launched a new Dragon Boat Festival collection, with exquisite dragon boat-themed gift boxes filled with holiday wishes. At the heart of the collection are savory and sweet rice dumplings made from carefully selected fragrant Thai glutinous rice, slowly prepared with care. Choices include the “Peninsula XO Chili Sauce Pork Belly Rice Dumpling,” featuring the brand’s famed XO chili sauce, pork belly, and a runny salted egg yolk, and the “Coconut Custard Rice Dumpling,” made with glutinous rice blended with rich coconut milk and filled with smooth custard for delicate, balanced Southeast Asian flavors.

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 3. Man Ho Chinese Restaurant: Classic hometown flavors with delicacies from land and sea

At Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant, executive Chinese chef Jayson Tang has selected premium ingredients for an elegant rice dumpling gift box filled with delicacies from land and sea. The generously portioned “Man Ho Dried Abalone and Conpoy Steamed Rice Dumpling” is carefully prepared: fragrant lotus leaves wrap a soft-centered South African Yoshihama dried abalone, premium conpoy, top-grade shiitake mushrooms, Kwan Dao pork belly, and whole lotus seeds from Hunan’s Xiang River, seasoned with rich additive-free soy sauce for a lingering finish. Also in the set, the “Man Ho Japanese Red Bean and Salted Pork Rice Dumpling” is made without lye water, pairing the light sweetness of premium Japanese red beans with savory salted egg yolk and soy sauce-marinated Kwan Dao pork belly (gift sets containing both dumplings start at HK$538). The popular “Man Ho Fujian Rice Dumpling Gift Set” (two dumplings from HK$388) offers authentic hometown flavors: glutinous rice is stir-fried with five-spice powder and shallots until glossy, then wrapped with shiitake mushrooms, chestnuts, and Kwan Dao pork belly braised until tender and flavorful.

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 4. Above & Beyond: An inventive mix of black truffle and premium durian kaya

Above & Beyond, the Chinese restaurant at Hotel ICON, breaks with tradition with inventive savory and sweet Dragon Boat Festival rice dumplings. Created by executive chef Wong Chi-ki and his team, the “Black Truffle Abalone, Conpoy, and Jinhua Ham Steamed Rice Dumpling” features a whole seven-head South African abalone, Hokkaido conpoy from Japan, Jinhua ham, roast pork belly, and other premium ingredients, blended with rich black truffle sauce. Each bite is full of the ingredients’ natural savoriness and the fresh fragrance of lotus leaf. Executive chef He Wai-shing, known as the “Durian Prince,” has also created the handmade “Three-Color Durian Kaya Glutinous Rice Dumpling” (HK$218). This sweet dumpling, full of Southeast Asian character, uses pandan, turmeric, and butterfly pea flower to give the rice its delicate three-color appearance. Premium Thai glutinous rice infused with sweet coconut milk is filled with house-made premium durian kaya, with a rich, fragrant flavor that durian fans won’t forget after one bite.

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 5. Island Shangri-La: A Michelin-starred luxurious seafood feast

If ultimate luxury is what you’re after, Island Shangri-La is the top choice. Created by the team at Summer Palace, its one-Michelin-star Cantonese restaurant, this year’s “Shangri-La Dragon Boat Festival Gourmet Seafood Rice Dumpling Trio” is priced at HK$988 and combines premium seafood with traditional craftsmanship. The “Summer Palace Michelin-Star Premium Rice Dumpling Gift Box” comes especially recommended, with prized ingredients including abalone and fish maw that make it a highly presentable gift for important business partners or elders. Shangri-La Circle members can enjoy up to 20% off when they purchase by June 17.

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 6. Kowloon Shangri-La and Kerry Hotel Hong Kong: Southeast Asian flavors meet inventive ideas

This year, Kowloon Shangri-La and Kerry Hotel Hong Kong are taking a diverse approach. Alongside classic Cantonese steamed rice dumplings, they offer halal durian dumplings and halal beef rendang dumplings with Southeast Asian flavors. Overseen by chef Leung Shing-lung, each dumpling offers something unexpected. These are especially recommended for women looking to try new flavors, as the inventive options can change how you think about zongzi. Advance online orders also come with exclusive discounts, so remember to reserve your favorites before June 17.

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 7. Cuisine Cuisine and Tsui Hang Village: The best value with 47% off early-bird offers on Hong Kong-made dumplings

On a budget but still want high quality? Mira Dining’s Cuisine Cuisine and Tsui Hang Village are putting plenty of care into this year’s offerings. All their rice dumplings are made in Hong Kong and guaranteed fresh. Cuisine Cuisine’s signatures are the “Whole Dried Oyster and Crab Roe Rice Dumpling” and the “Whole Dried Abalone, Conpoy, and Jinhua Ham Rice Dumpling,” each rich and layered in flavor. Best of all, early-bird sets are now available at up to 47% off, with additional discounts for Mi+ members. If you’re looking for the best-value Michelin-recommended options, these two restaurants should be on your list.

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 8. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong: A limited-time 20% off offer and five-star stay perks

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is offering a particularly appealing “20% Off Flash Offer” this year, running from May 11 to 24. Its “Abalone, Conpoy, and Yunnan Ham Steamed Rice Dumpling” is regularly HK$408 and just HK$326 after the discount. Even more tempting is the “Dining with Privileges” dining and stay offer: purchase HK$4,000 in dining credit and receive a complimentary one-night stay. Isn’t that the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a staycation and a big meal?

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 9. The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong: A beautiful gift box inspired by qipao details

For anyone who cares about appearances, isn’t a beautiful gift box just as important as delicious rice dumplings? The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong’s gift box design this year is inspired by qipao frog closures, with an elegant oval design in shades of dark and light green. The contents are just as carefully considered: the “Abalone and Conpoy Steamed Rice Dumpling” is available at an early-bird price of HK$348 (regularly HK$510), while the “Supreme Sweet Rice Dumpling Gift Box” includes aged tangerine peel red bean and lotus seed paste lye-water dumplings. Sweet without being cloying, they’re ideal with afternoon tea.

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 10. Yat Tung Heen: Traditional landscape-inspired aesthetics from a Michelin one-star restaurant

Yat Tung Heen, which has held one Michelin star for 10 consecutive years, has made its rice dumplings look like works of art this year. Its carry bag features a landscape painting theme with an artistic air. The “Supreme Abalone and Conpoy Steamed Rice Dumpling” (HK$348) is filled with a whole abalone, roast goose, and shiitake mushrooms – so generously packed it nearly bursts open. Vegetarians should try the “Eight Treasures Omnipork Steamed Rice Dumpling” (HK$318), which balances sustainability and flavor.

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 11. Ming Court at Cordis, Hong Kong: A favorite for health-conscious diners

As health awareness grows, Ming Court has created the “Yunnan Morel and Millet Vegetarian Wellness Rice Dumpling” especially for vegetarians this year (member price HK$118). The distinctive aroma of morels paired with light millet means you can finish a whole dumpling without feeling too guilty. The classic “Abalone, Conpoy, and Sea Cucumber Steamed Rice Dumpling” is also a must-buy. Paired with Ming Court’s house-made XO sauce (sets from HK$468), its fresh, spicy flavor brings out the dumpling’s natural sweetness.

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 12. Yue Restaurant: A carefully crafted offering from Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung

Those living in Tung Chung don’t need to go far – Yue Restaurant’s Dragon Boat Festival rice dumplings are just as impressive. Chef Chung Chi-keung recommends the “Signature Abalone Steamed Rice Dumpling” (700 g), regularly priced at HK$308 and available at 20% off for preorders placed by May 31 (HK$246.4 after discount). The dumplings are generously sized, especially the “Whole Conpoy and Pork Rice Dumpling,” where the pork fat and fragrant rice come together satisfyingly in every bite.

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 13. W Hong Kong: Eye-catching, modern packaging with a fashionable edge

Want to give rice dumplings to younger friends? W Hong Kong’s design won’t disappoint. The stylish pink-and-black palette, paired with a Victoria Harbour skyline graphic, makes it feel like a fashion accessory. The “Supreme Rice Dumpling Gift Box” includes a conpoy and pork rice dumpling, an aged tangerine peel, osmanthus, and red bean lye-water dumpling, plus the hotel’s own XO sauce. This experience that brings together visual appeal and flavor is ideal for women who value a well-lived lifestyle.

Dragon Boat Festival zongzi pick 14. Conrad Hong Kong: Traditional flavors from a master chef

Conrad Hong Kong is launching its “Double Flavor Premium Rice Dumpling Gift Box” for the first time this year. It contains three mini rice dumplings, ideal for anyone who wants to sample them all at once. More unusually, it is also hosting a “Traditional Dragon Boat Festival Rice Dumpling Workshop” (HK$398 per person), where Golden Leaf’s chef will personally teach participants how to fold dumpling leaves. Order by June 7 to receive a 20% early-bird discount, while bulk orders can receive up to 25% off.

This year’s Dragon Boat Festival rice dumplings clearly trend toward refinement and healthier options. If you like bold flavors, Cuisine Cuisine’s crab roe rice dumpling offers something fresh; for gifting elders, Yat Tung Heen’s landscape-inspired packaging and Ming Court’s wellness-focused sets are reliable choices. Early-bird offers usually end from late May to early June, so place your order once you’ve decided – popular varieties usually sell out in the week before the festival!

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