gavlin Huynh
During the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tết), two iconic dishes – Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét – are indispensable symbols of the celebration. These rice cakes are not only delicious but also rich in cultural significance, representing gratitude to ancestors and the universe. Whether families enjoy the square-shaped Bánh Chưng from the North or the cylindrical Bánh Tét from the South, they celebrate the arrival of a new year filled with peace, prosperity, and unity.
Bánh Chưng & Bánh Tét: The Symbol of Tết
Bánh Chưng – The Symbol of Earth
Bánh Chưng, with its square shape, is a traditional dish of the Northern Vietnamese people. Its square form represents the Earth, symbolizing stability and the nurturing qualities of the land. They wrap glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork in fragrant dong leaves. Then, they boil it for hours. The result is a tender, flavorful cake. It embodies the deep connection between the land and its people.
Bánh Tét – The Symbol of Heaven
In contrast, Bánh Tét is popular in the South of Vietnam. It has a cylindrical shape, representing the sky. They use similar ingredients—glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork—to make the cake. However, they wrap it in banana leaves. This gives it a different texture and flavor. Despite the difference in shape and wrapping, both Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét share the same meaning. They honor ancestors and wish for good fortune.
How to Make Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét: A Culinary Tradition
Making Bánh Chưng – A Labour of Love
Making Bánh Chưng requires a careful selection of ingredients and attention to detail. The glutinous rice is soaked overnight, then combined with cooked mung beans and marinated pork. The mixture is wrapped tightly in dong leaves and boiled for several hours to create a cohesive, aromatic cake. The long boiling process ensures that the rice and filling bind together, resulting in a delicious and satisfying texture.
Making Bánh Tét – A Delicious Variation
Bánh Tét is also a labor-intensive dish. They pack the rice and mung bean mixture into banana leaves, which are more flexible than dong leaves and allow the cake to hold its shape during the boiling process. Like Bánh Chưng, they boil Bánh Tét for many hours, letting the flavors meld together to create a rich, savory taste. While the preparation process is similar to Bánh Chưng, the result is a cake with a unique cylindrical shape, making it easy to slice into neat portions.
Meaningful Gifts for Tết
Beyond being simply a dish, Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét are meaningful gifts during Tết. Giving these cakes to family members and friends is a way to convey well-wishes for prosperity, good health, and happiness in the coming year. The square shape of Bánh Chưng and the round shape of Bánh Tét are symbolic of completeness, wholeness, and unity.
Conclusion
Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét are much more than just food – they are an essential part of the Tết celebration, steeped in tradition and cultural significance. Whether you’re enjoying these rice cakes with family, gifting them to friends, or simply savoring their unique flavors, these cakes help keep the spirit of Tết alive and well.
If you haven’t yet had the chance to try Bánh Chưng or Bánh Tét, make sure to experience them this Tết – they will surely bring warmth, happiness, and a taste of Vietnamese culture to your celebration!
