What national Cakes do Vietnamese families buy for New Year?
What national Cakes do Vietnamese families buy for N...
Dec 14, 2011 8:32:36 AM
Banh Chung is a traditional dish considered an essential element of the Tet – the Lunar New Year of Vietnam.
The origin of Banh Chung can be traced to Hong Bang Dynasty– when the 6th Hung Emperor ruled the land (before the Birth of Christ). Sadlythinking he was too old to lead the country, Hung Emperor wanted to find theone to inherit his position and sit on the throne. Therefore, he held a cookingcontest for his 21 sons, and who could fully satisfy his taste would be thewinner.
Most princes set out on their journey to find special,exotic and far-fetched food, except for Lang Lieu – the 18th son of Hung King,also the poorest and loneliest since he lost his mother at a young age. Nothaving enough money to afford such delicacies, Lieu just stayed around hishouse. Thanks to the help of a fairy in his dream, Lieu came up with 2 types ofcake called ‘Banh Chung’ and ‘Banh Day’ and started baking exactly like what hehad been told.
On a spring day on which all the princes’ labor had to bepresented, Lang Lieu and his wife brought Banh Chung and Banh Day to theemperor while other princes presented such expensive and unusual dishes. Otherssneered at Lieu’s cakes, but Hung Emperor was deeply impressed by the specialflavor of these cakes. He asked Lieu about the meaning of these cakes. Lieusaid that he had cooked the glutinous rice, then molded it into a round ricecake, and called it Banh Day as it symbolized the sky we live under; he alsocooked a square rice cake, stuffed it with cooked bean paste and ground meat inthe middle, and called it Banh Chung, which was symbolic of the earth we liveon.
After that, Hung Emperor decided that Lieu was the winnerand passed his throne to him. Since then, Banh Chung and Banh Day becometraditional foods during the Tet.
In addition, Banh Chung can be fried to serve ‘Banh ChungRan’ – a delicious for such cold February in Vietnam. In some other regions,especially the Southern part of Vietnam, Banh Chung can be wrap in a cylindralshape with same ingredients, called ’Banh Tet’. A similar one to Banh Tet is‘Banh Tay’ or ‘Banh Chung Dai’ (Long Banh Chung), served solely in the Northwith mung bean and little or no pork, hence, can be preserved for a longerperiod. There are also many variations of Banh Chung according to regions,religions and likings such as Banh Chung Gu (Humped Banh Chung) of San Diupeople, Banh Chung Chay (Vegetarian Banh Chung) for vegetarians and Buddhists,Banh Chung Ngot (Sweetened Banh Chung), etc.
In traditional context, the process of making Banh Chung isan occasion for Vietnamese family members to get together. Sitting around thewarm fire, talking and telling each other past stories, they get ready for aNew Year with lots of good wishes. Although nowadays, not many Vietnamesefamilies keep this habit anymore, Banh Chung is still an irreplaceable dish ofVietnamese ancestor altar on the occasion of Tet. It is the evidence of theVietnamese loyalty and great gratitude to their ancestors.
The importance of Banh Chung has already gone into poetry:
‘Thịt mỡ, dưa hành, câu đối đỏ
Cây nêu, tràng pháo bánh chưng xanh’
Translation:
‘Rich meats, Salty onions, red couplets
Nêu tree, firecracker, green banh chung’.
This article is written by Jane Nguyen from Vacation to Vietnam
For original article and more information about Vietnam Lunar New Year, please visit http://vacationstovietnam.com/lastest-travel-news/banh-chung-and-banh-day-the-national-cake-in-vietnam.html
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The origin of Banh Chung can be traced to Hong Bang Dynasty– when the 6th Hung Emperor ruled the land (before the Birth of Christ). Sadlythinking he was too old to lead the country, Hung Emperor wanted to find theone to inherit his position and sit on the throne. Therefore, he held a cookingcontest for his 21 sons, and who could fully satisfy his taste would be thewinner.
Most princes set out on their journey to find special,exotic and far-fetched food, except for Lang Lieu – the 18th son of Hung King,also the poorest and loneliest since he lost his mother at a young age. Nothaving enough money to afford such delicacies, Lieu just stayed around hishouse. Thanks to the help of a fairy in his dream, Lieu came up with 2 types ofcake called ‘Banh Chung’ and ‘Banh Day’ and started baking exactly like what hehad been told.
On a spring day on which all the princes’ labor had to bepresented, Lang Lieu and his wife brought Banh Chung and Banh Day to theemperor while other princes presented such expensive and unusual dishes. Otherssneered at Lieu’s cakes, but Hung Emperor was deeply impressed by the specialflavor of these cakes. He asked Lieu about the meaning of these cakes. Lieusaid that he had cooked the glutinous rice, then molded it into a round ricecake, and called it Banh Day as it symbolized the sky we live under; he alsocooked a square rice cake, stuffed it with cooked bean paste and ground meat inthe middle, and called it Banh Chung, which was symbolic of the earth we liveon.
After that, Hung Emperor decided that Lieu was the winnerand passed his throne to him. Since then, Banh Chung and Banh Day becometraditional foods during the Tet.
In addition, Banh Chung can be fried to serve ‘Banh ChungRan’ – a delicious for such cold February in Vietnam. In some other regions,especially the Southern part of Vietnam, Banh Chung can be wrap in a cylindralshape with same ingredients, called ’Banh Tet’. A similar one to Banh Tet is‘Banh Tay’ or ‘Banh Chung Dai’ (Long Banh Chung), served solely in the Northwith mung bean and little or no pork, hence, can be preserved for a longerperiod. There are also many variations of Banh Chung according to regions,religions and likings such as Banh Chung Gu (Humped Banh Chung) of San Diupeople, Banh Chung Chay (Vegetarian Banh Chung) for vegetarians and Buddhists,Banh Chung Ngot (Sweetened Banh Chung), etc.
In traditional context, the process of making Banh Chung isan occasion for Vietnamese family members to get together. Sitting around thewarm fire, talking and telling each other past stories, they get ready for aNew Year with lots of good wishes. Although nowadays, not many Vietnamesefamilies keep this habit anymore, Banh Chung is still an irreplaceable dish ofVietnamese ancestor altar on the occasion of Tet. It is the evidence of theVietnamese loyalty and great gratitude to their ancestors.
The importance of Banh Chung has already gone into poetry:
‘Thịt mỡ, dưa hành, câu đối đỏ
Cây nêu, tràng pháo bánh chưng xanh’
Translation:
‘Rich meats, Salty onions, red couplets
Nêu tree, firecracker, green banh chung’.
This article is written by Jane Nguyen from Vacation to Vietnam
For original article and more information about Vietnam Lunar New Year, please visit http://vacationstovietnam.com/lastest-travel-news/banh-chung-and-banh-day-the-national-cake-in-vietnam.html
Vacation to Vietnam
Vietnam Adventure Vacation
vietnam Vacation
travel agency in Vietnam
