Because the Lunar New Yr approaches, Vietnamese households bustle with pleasure and anticipation, getting ready for one of the important and cherished celebrations of the yr. Be a part of us on a culinary journey as we discover the ten frequent dishes that adorn the Lunar New Yr meals tray in Vietnam.
1. Banh chung/banh tet (sticky rice truffles)
Banh chung, a sq. rice cake, is usually loved savory in northern Vietnam, whereas banh tet, a cylindrical sticky rice cake and a specialty of central and southern area, may be present in each savory and candy variations.
 |
|
As soon as minimize, banh chung reveals a contrasting gentle colour towards its darkish inexperienced exterior (a product of the banana or dong leaves it’s wrapped in). Photograph by VnExpress/Thanh Hue |
The principle components of each these truffles typically embrace glutinous rice, mung beans, pork stomach, and a mix of spices akin to salt, pepper, inexperienced onions, and fish sauce. These components are layered, wrapped in banana leaves, and boiled or steamed till cooked via.
Legend has it that banh chung was created by a Vietnamese prince, Lang Lieu, as an emblem of respect for ancestors, representing the Earth via its components sourced straight from the land.
 |
|
Having an identical filling to banh chung, banh tet is formed in a cylindrical kind, distinguishing it from its sq. counterpart. Photograph by VnExpress/Truong Ha |
The origins of banh tet are believed to hint again to the Cham individuals, with the cake doubtless evolving via a mixture of exchanging culinary practices and sharing cultural traditions between the 2 communities.
One other account of banh tet‘s origin tells of a second throughout King Quang Trung’s rule in 1789. Within the midst of a battle towards invaders, a soldier provided the king a cake as an emblem of goodwill. Moved by the gesture, King Quang Trung declared that the cake needs to be loved throughout Tet, therefore naming it Tet cake, or banh tet.
Banh chung and banh tet sometimes characteristic mushy and barely sticky glutinous rice complemented by a delicate natural aroma infused by the banana leaves. The mung beans and pork contribute to a savory taste profile, characterised by a mixture of fatty and nutty notes.
2. Boiled hen
Boiled hen, a dish originating from Chinese language delicacies, holds a major place in Lunar New Yr celebrations throughout Vietnam. In Vietnamese tradition, roosters are historically favored over hens in New Yr choices. The rooster symbolizes new beginnings and the beginning of favorable circumstances for agriculture. Throughout Lunar New Yr’s Eve worship, choices of sticky rice and boiled hen are made, symbolizing hopes for prosperity and success within the upcoming yr.
 |
|
Boiled hen is commonly adorned with a rose for presentation functions when provided throughout Tet holidays. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
The hen is boiled till shiny and golden, infused with fragrant flavors of ginger. Accompanied by a salt and lime dip, it is served alongside sticky rice. In Hanoi, leftover Tet components, like boiled hen, are sometimes repurposed to organize delicacies akin to bun thang (shredded hen noodle soup).
3. Gio lua/gio xao (Pork roll/ pork ear roll)
Pork roll, often called cha lua within the central and southern areas and gio lua within the north, is a pork delicacy generally discovered within the meals tray throughout Lunar New Yr. In the meantime, pork ear roll is a dish typically loved throughout Tet celebrations in northern Vietnam.
 |
|
Cha lua may be accompanied by a cup of dipping sauce, akin to chili fish sauce, for added taste. Photograph by Luu Oanh |
Pork roll is ready by pounding the meat right into a thick paste and seasoning it with varied spices, starchy flour, and fish sauce. Afterward, it’s wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. The result’s a pork sausage characterised by a young texture and a delicate pink hue, accompanied by a perfume infused by the banana leaves.
 |
|
After being minimize, gio xao maintains a well-defined form, making certain that every slice holds collectively cleanly. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
Identified by two names gio xao (stir-fried pork roll) and gio thu (pork head roll), pork ear roll created from thinly sliced pork head meat, primarily ears and cheeks. Marinated with fish sauce and pepper, it is stir-fried with wooden ear mushrooms till agency and golden. Wrapped in banana leaves and cooled to set, it provides a mix of textures and flavors – crunchy ear and cheek, aromatic fish sauce and spicy pepper, with a touch of delicate banana leaf aroma.
Along with its position in Tet celebrations, each pork roll and pork ear roll are loved year-round as a complement to on a regular basis dishes.
4. Xoi gac (purple sticky rice)
In Japanese tradition, the colour purple represents happiness, luck, and goodness. Throughout particular events like Tet and ancestral ceremonies, individuals put together a dish known as purple sticky rice. This dish is made by mixing sticky rice with gac fruit (candy gourd). The rice is cooked till it is mushy and aromatic. The result’s purple sticky rice, believed to represent prosperity and luck.
 |
|
Pink sticky rice, often called xoi gac, has a vibrant purple colour. Photograph by VnExpress |
Relying on the place you’re in Vietnam, some individuals like so as to add shredded coconut or coconut milk within the south, whereas others within the north would possibly embrace inexperienced beans or sprinkle sugar on prime. Regardless of its delicate sweetness, xoi gac is usually paired with savory dishes akin to pork floss and pork roll.
5. Spring rolls
Spring rolls are often called cha gio within the south or nem ran within the north. Crammed with a savory combination of pork, shrimp, carrots, wooden ear mushrooms, glass noodles, and bean sprouts, then wrapped in rice paper. The rolls are fried to perfection, leading to a golden hue and a crispy exterior.
 |
|
Fried spring rolls are golden and crispy. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
The northern rendition of spring rolls sometimes options extra greens encased in a skinny rice paper pores and skin, whereas the southern variation has a thicker outer layer with a heartier meat filling, typically complemented by shredded taro.
The origin of spring rolls continues to be a bit unclear, however there are a number of concepts about the place they got here from. Many consider that they have been round in Vietnamese cooking for a very long time. Folks up in northern Vietnam might need give you them as an easy-to-eat dish that lasts some time, particularly throughout wartime.
One other prevalent concept means that spring rolls could have been influenced by related dishes in Chinese language delicacies. As a part of cultural trade, this dish doubtless made its manner into Vietnamese culinary practices, the place it was tailored to native tastes. The result’s a dish that displays the fusion of cultural influences in Vietnamese delicacies.
These fried delights are sometimes served alongside herbs and a sweet-sour fish sauce. Sometimes served as an appetizer, they may also be loved with vermicelli or rice.
6. Braised pork with duck eggs
Braised pork with duck eggs is a Tet dish broadly loved in southern and central areas. Ready with pork stomach, garlic, shallots, soy sauce, sugar, and fish sauce, braised pork is simmered in a mix of coconut water, garlic, and shallots. Gradual-cooked alongside duck eggs till tender, it is generally served alongside rice or pickled mustard greens.
 |
|
The braised pork with duck eggs is immersed in a transparent brown sauce. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
In a pot of braised pork with duck eggs, the juxtaposition of sq. meat items and spherical eggs symbolizes concord and steadiness, reflecting the idea of yin and yang. The spherical eggs, representing fertility, symbolize needs for a joyful New Yr and a household blessed with abundance.
7. Stuffed bitter melon soup
Canh kho qua, or stuffed bitter melon soup, is one other dish loved throughout Lunar New Yr in southern areas of Vietnam. It is made by filling bitter melons with a mix of floor pork, fish, mushrooms, and spices, then simmering them in broth till tender. The title kho qua, or bitter melon, explains the want for all kho, sorrows and misfortunes of the outdated yr, to qua – move, to obtain excellent news within the new yr.
 |
|
A bowl of stuffed bitter melon soup. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
This dish shouldn’t be solely symbolic but in addition provides quite a few well being advantages. Stuffed bitter melon is understood for its cooling properties and excessive fiber. Throughout Tet, the climate in southern Vietnam may be fairly sizzling. Having fun with a bowl of stuffed bitter melon soup supplies a refreshing respite from the warmth, providing a cooling impact and balancing out the richness of different festive dishes.
8. Jellied pork
Jellied pork is a well-liked dish in northern Vietnam, particularly through the colder months and Lunar New Yr celebrations. Constructed from pork leg and stir-fried pork pores and skin with mushrooms, it is served chilly and develops a jelly-like texture because of the collagen within the pig’s pores and skin.
 |
|
As soon as cooled, the meat combination transforms into translucent jellied pork, permitting a glimpse of the components inside. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
It’s stated that this dish began when stewed pork leg soup was disregarded within the chilly and by chance froze, turning right into a particular deal with. Now, each Tet, households within the north make this dish to get pleasure from through the vacation.
Jellied pork is ideal for consuming chilly, making it simple to retailer in chilly climate or fridges while not having to warmth it up once more. It’s typically served with a facet of spicy fish sauce to reinforce its taste.
9. Bamboo shoot soup
If stuffed bitter melon soup reigns supreme throughout Tet feasts within the southern areas, then bamboo shoot soup serves as its counterpart within the north. The soup symbolizes heat and togetherness through the festive season. Along with its cultural significance, bamboo shoot soup is valued for its dietary advantages, wealthy in nutritional vitamins and fiber.
 |
|
The simmering of pork knuckles with bamboo shoots infuses the dish with a golden tint. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
The soup is made with a wide range of bamboo shoots together with recent bamboo and dried bamboo shoots. The dried bamboo shoots are soaked in water no less than thrice to scale back their robust odor. The soup is slow-cooked with pork knuckles to create a wealthy broth.
10. Dua hanh and cu kieu (pickled leeks and shallots)
Pickle dishes like dua hanh (pickled shallots) and cu kieu (pickled leeks) are generally discovered on festive menus. Pickled shallots are a favourite in northern areas, whereas pickled leeks are most well-liked within the south. Their mildly bitter, barely spicy, and fragrant flavors serve to offset the richness of dishes akin to braised pork and sticky rice truffles.
 |
|
Pickled shallots have a pale white colour with a slight contact of inexperienced. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
In keeping with historic beliefs, the inclusion of shallots and onions throughout Tet signifies wealth and prosperity.