Enjoy this fun-filled activity that binds a family together like a well made Bak Chang
A dish that almost all Singaporeans would know just based on its look, taste and smell, the Bak Chang or Sticky Rice Dumpling is a favourite amongst both the older and younger generations alike!
Photo by Mae Mu
Bak Changs can be easily found in shops islandwide and is commonly eaten as a snack or even for breakfast. But did you know that it is tradition to have this dumpling during the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar!
A festival to commemorate the life and death of the poet Qu Yuan, who had committed suicide by throwing himself into a river after being exiled. Legend has it that locals rushed to their boats, beat their drums and threw chunks of rice into the water to keep the fishes from eating his body.
Photo by Alpha
Being a multi-racial country and one with different cultures, we also have various different versions of Bak Chang, from Hokkien to Peranakan! And they all have their unique twist on things.
Read on for some Bak Chang recipes that you can make together with your family, just like your parents did in the old days.
1. Hokkien Bak Chang
Video by MyKitchen101en
One of the most common types of Bak Chang that you’ll be able to find around in Singapore, the Hokkien Bak Chang has a distinct dark coloured rice and is usually filled with pork belly, dried mushroom, chestnut and dried shrimp.
#KlookTip: Add a hard-boiled egg into the mix and it would tie everything together nicely.
2. Teochew Bak Chang
Video by Huang Kitchen
The ingredient that differentiates the Teochew Bak Chang is a generous amount of red bean or lotus paste, making this combination a sweet and savoury affair! Each family might have their own secret recipe for making Bak Chang too, check in with your parents or grandparents if they use any special ingredients in theirs.
3. Cantonese Bak Chang
Video by theMEATMENchannel
Boasting a more savoury flavour, the Cantonese Bak Chang contains green/mung beans instead of mushrooms and lean meat instead of pork belly. The addition of Chinese sausage and a salted egg yolk gives it an extra flavour burst.
4. Nyonya Bak Chang
Video by Baba's Wife
The Nyonya Bak Chang has a very distinct taste and you’ll instantly be able to tell it with one bite. Sugary and aromatic from the use of spices, the Nyonya Bak Chang tastes more like a dessert with its candied minced pork filling.
5. Hainanese Bak Chang
Video by Edison Foo
Think of the Hainanese Bak Chang as an upsized version of the Hokkien Bak Chang, with more ingredients stuffed into the dumpling!
6. Kee Chang
Video by KitchenTigress
This dessert Bak Chang is notably smaller than the other types of Bak Chang and it doesn't contain any fillings. The yellow glutinous rice gets its colour from being soaked in ‘lye’ water. The best way to enjoy this snack is by dipping it in palm sugar syrup or some gula mekela.
7. Chicken Sticky Rice Dumpling (Chicken Zongzi)
Video by Huang Kitchen
This healthier alternative recipe swaps out the pork that is commonly used in Bak Changs with chicken, resembling more of a wrapped lo mai gai. Don’t worry about the taste being compromised as the marinated chicken would be packed full of flavour.
