Tết Nguyên Đán, commonly known as the Lunar New Year, is the most significant holiday in Vietnam. It marks the beginning of the new year in the lunar calendar, a time for families to reunite, honor ancestors, and welcome the coming year with hopes for prosperity, health, and happiness. Central to this celebration is the food—delicious, symbolic, and steeped in tradition. The dishes served during Tết reflect both cultural beliefs and the essence of Vietnamese hospitality, featuring ingredients that symbolize good fortune, fertility, and a fresh start. In this article, we will explore the traditional dishes that define the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of the country.
1. Bánh Chưng and Bánh Dày: The Heart of Tết Cuisine
The most iconic and traditional food associated with Tết Nguyên Đán is Bánh Chưng (square sticky rice cake) and Bánh Dày (round sticky rice cake). These cakes are deeply symbolic, representing the Earth and Heaven, respectively, and are integral to the Tết festivities.
Bánh Chưng – Square Rice Cake
Bánh Chưng is made with glutinous rice, green beans, and pork, wrapped in banana leaves and boiled for hours. The square shape of Bánh Chưng is symbolic of the Earth, representing the belief that the Earth is flat in Vietnamese culture. This cake is often made by families as a way to honor the ancestors, specifically the mythological king who is said to have created the cake to represent the Earth.
Bánh Dày – Round Rice Cake
In contrast, Bánh Dày is round and symbolizes Heaven, complementing the square Bánh Chưng. This cake is made from glutinous rice flour, typically filled with sweet or savory fillings, and is often enjoyed with a variety of dips or accompaniments.
Both of these cakes are traditionally made in large quantities and shared among family members, friends, and neighbors. The preparation of these cakes is a family event, and making them together helps strengthen family bonds during Tết.
2. Pickled Vegetables: Dưa Món
One of the most common side dishes during Tết Nguyên Đán is Dưa Món, a pickled vegetable dish that adds a tangy, crunchy contrast to the richness of other dishes. Dưa Món is made from a variety of vegetables, including carrots, white radish, cabbage, and sometimes cucumber, all pickled with garlic, sugar, vinegar, and chili. The tanginess of the pickled vegetables helps cleanse the palate and balance out the flavors of the fatty dishes typically served during Tết.
In addition to its refreshing taste, Dưa Món is also believed to have symbolic meanings. The act of pickling represents preserving good fortune for the year ahead, ensuring that the family’s blessings are maintained. This dish is often served alongside meats and rice cakes to provide balance.
3. Thịt Kho Hột Vịt: Braised Pork with Eggs
A classic Vietnamese dish that graces many Tết tables is Thịt Kho Hột Vịt, or braised pork with eggs. The dish consists of pork belly or shoulder, simmered slowly in coconut water and sugar, giving the meat a rich, caramelized flavor. Hard-boiled eggs are added to the dish, absorbing the flavors of the broth. It’s a hearty, savory dish that is both filling and flavorful.
Thịt Kho Hột Vịt symbolizes prosperity and fertility, as pork is considered a symbol of abundance, and eggs represent new beginnings and growth. This dish is often served with rice, making it a staple during the Tết celebrations. The dish’s sweet and savory flavors reflect the balance of life, with the goal of bringing harmony and prosperity for the coming year.
4. Canh Măng: Bamboo Shoot Soup
Canh Măng, or bamboo shoot soup, is a popular and traditional soup enjoyed during Tết. The dish is typically made with dried bamboo shoots, which are boiled with pork bones or chicken, and flavored with herbs, spices, and seasonings. Sometimes, dried mushrooms are added to deepen the umami flavor of the broth.
Bamboo shoots are symbolic of new growth, as they sprout fresh every year, making this dish especially fitting for the New Year celebration. Canh Măng is light yet flavorful, often served as a starter or side dish with the main course. It’s a comforting and nourishing soup that signifies a new beginning and is believed to bring longevity and good health.
5. Xôi Gấc: Sticky Rice with Gấc Fruit
One of the most visually striking dishes during Tết is Xôi Gấc, or sticky rice with gấc fruit. Gấc, a vibrant red fruit, is used to color the glutinous rice, giving it a bright, festive appearance. The dish is often served with roasted pork, fried shallots, or mung bean paste. The red color of the rice symbolizes good luck, happiness, and wealth, which are all hoped for in the new year.
Xôi Gấc is not only a popular dish during Tết but also during weddings and other important celebrations. The combination of sweet, savory, and fragrant flavors makes it a perfect addition to the Tết spread.
6. Chả Lụa: Vietnamese Pork Sausage
Another beloved dish during Tết is Chả Lụa, a type of Vietnamese pork sausage. This dish is made from finely ground pork mixed with garlic, fish sauce, and other seasonings, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until firm. Chả Lụa has a smooth, slightly chewy texture and a savory, aromatic flavor.
Chả Lụa is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways: sliced as an appetizer, wrapped in rice paper for fresh spring rolls, or simply enjoyed with rice or noodles. It is a staple during Tết and symbolizes family unity and prosperity.
7. Mứt Tết: Candied Fruits and Preserves
Mứt Tết, or candied fruits and preserves, is a traditional treat during Tết Nguyên Đán. These sweets are made by simmering fruits such as lotus seeds, kumquats, coconut, ginger, and sweet potatoes in sugar syrup until they become chewy and flavorful. Mứt is not only delicious but also symbolic. The sweetness of the candy represents the hope for a sweet and prosperous year ahead.
Mứt Tết is often displayed in decorative bowls and shared with guests who visit during Tết. It is a symbol of hospitality and generosity, as offering mứt to visitors is an important custom during the holiday.
8. Bánh Tét: A Southern Vietnam Specialty
In southern Vietnam, instead of Bánh Chưng, people traditionally prepare Bánh Tét, a cylindrical sticky rice cake. Like its northern counterpart, Bánh Tét is made from glutinous rice, pork, and mung beans, but it is wrapped in banana leaves and shaped into long cylinders. This cake is often enjoyed during Tết, especially in the southern regions, where it is also served as a symbol of prosperity and familial unity.
Bánh Tét is typically enjoyed with pickled vegetables, and its preparation is often a family affair, as everyone gathers together to wrap the cakes and boil them for several hours.
9. Tết Drinks: Bia and Trà
No Tết celebration is complete without drinks that accompany the hearty meal. Trà (tea) and bia (beer) are commonly enjoyed during Tết. Tea, often jasmine or green tea, is served to help digest the rich food and is a symbol of respect and hospitality. On the other hand, beer is often consumed during family gatherings or while enjoying a meal with friends, representing relaxation and social connection.
10. The Symbolism Behind Tết Foods
Every dish served during Tết is deeply symbolic and is believed to carry blessings for the new year. The variety of dishes, each with its own significance, reflects the holistic approach to the Lunar New Year. Dishes like Bánh Chưng and Bánh Dày symbolize the Earth and Heaven, Thịt Kho Hột Vịt brings prosperity, and Xôi Gấc offers good fortune and wealth. These dishes are not just about satisfying hunger; they are part of a cultural narrative that celebrates family, renewal, and hope for the future.
Conclusion: The Essence of Tết Through Food
Tết Nguyên Đán is not just about the arrival of the new year but also about the joy of family, the honoring of ancestors, and the hope for a prosperous year ahead. The traditional dishes of Tết are a reflection of Vietnamese cultural values, with each food item carefully prepared and enjoyed with intention. Whether it’s the iconic Bánh Chưng, the tangy Dưa Món, or the sweet Mứt Tết, these dishes bring people together and embody the essence of Vietnamese hospitality. As the new year approaches, these dishes remind us of the importance of tradition, family, and the optimism that accompanies the dawn of a new year.
