Banh Chung: Traditional Sticky Rice Cake for Tet

As the Lunar New Year approaches, many Vietnamese households are busy preparing for Tet, the most important holiday in Vietnamese culture. One of the essential dishes enjoyed during Tet is Banh Chung, a traditional sticky rice cake that holds great significance in Vietnamese tradition and history.

Banh Chung is a square-shaped cake made from glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork, wrapped in banana leaves. The preparation of Banh Chung is a labor-intensive process that requires careful attention to detail and patience. From soaking the rice and beans overnight to layering them in a banana leaf mold and steaming the cake for hours, making Banh Chung is a true labor of love.

Legend has it that Banh Chung was created by Lang Liêu, a prince of the sixth Hung King, who wanted to find a dish to offer as a tribute to his father. After many failed attempts, he finally came up with the idea of using sticky rice and mung beans to symbolize the Earth and the Sky, with pork representing the Sun. The square shape of Banh Chung is said to represent the Earth, while the green of the mung beans and the white of the rice symbolize the colors of nature.

Today, Banh Chung remains an indispensable part of Tet celebrations, with families coming together to make and enjoy this delicious treat. It is believed that eating Banh Chung during Tet brings good luck and prosperity for the coming year, making it a must-have dish for the holiday.

How to Make Banh Chung

If you are interested in making Banh Chung at home, here is a basic recipe to get you started:

• Ingredients:
• – 2 cups glutinous rice
• – 1 cup split mung beans
• – 1/2 pound pork belly
• – Salt
• – Pepper
• – Banana leaves

1. Soak the glutinous rice and mung beans separately in water overnight.
2. Cut the pork belly into small pieces and season with salt and pepper.
3. Take a piece of banana leaf and fold it into a square mold.
4. Layer the soaked rice, mung beans, and pork in the banana leaf mold.
5. Fold the banana leaf over the ingredients and secure with string.
6. Steam the Banh Chung for 6-8 hours until cooked through.
7. Let the Banh Chung cool before serving, and enjoy the traditional flavors of Tet!

Conclusion

Banh Chung is more than just a delicious treat enjoyed during Tet – it is a symbol of tradition, culture, and family unity. The time-honored process of making Banh Chung brings families together and creates memories that will last a lifetime. So this Lunar New Year, why not try your hand at making Banh Chung and experience the joy of sharing this traditional sticky rice cake with your loved ones?