"Banh Chung" (Chung cake) is a
traditional and irreplaceable cake of Vietnamese people in the Tet
Holidays and King Hung’s anniversary (10th March Lunar). For the
Vietnamese, making "Banh Chung" is the ideal way to express gratitude to
their ancestors and homeland.
Banh Chung
Chung
cake was invented by the 18th Prince of Hung Emperor in the contest of
looking for new Emperor. According to the legend, 3,000-4,000 years ago,
Prince Lang Lieu, made round and square cakes, the round Day cake
symbolizing the sky and the square Chung cake symbolizing the Earth
(under the ancient Vietnamese perception), to be offered on the occasion
of Spring.
In the ancient conception, the
Earth is square, hence Chung cake's shape is square, too, to reflect the
Earth shape. Since the cakes he offered were of special meaning and
delicious taste, Lang Lieu was selected to be the next Emperor. Since
then, in honor of this 18th Prince, Vietnamese people always make and
have Chung cake in the Lunar New Year. Up to now, Chung cake has become
the most famous and irreplaceable traditional Vietnamese food in Tet
Holiday. This legend aims to remind the next generations of the ancient
tradition as well as the primary of Chung cake. Besides, it emphasizes
the important role of rice and nature in water rice culture.
How to make a "Banh Chung"?
In
contrast to the fast food in modern life, the process of making Chung
cake is time-consuming and requires the contribution of several people.
Main ingredients are glutinous rice, pork meat, and green beans wrapped
in a square of bamboo leaves that will give the rice a green color after
boiling. The
“Banh gio” – Pyramidal rice dumpling
“Banh it” - sticky rice cake
“Banh Phu The”– Vietnamese conjugal cake
In the traditional conception
of Vietnamese people, the process of making Chung cake is the
opportunity for family to come together. Sitting around the warm fire,
all members in the family tell one another the past stories and are
ready for a New Year with wishes of best things. Nowadays, in some big
cities, the business lifestyle of modern society prevent people from
preparing the cake, however, the habit of worship ancestors with Chung
cake never changes. It is the evidence of the Vietnamese loyalty and
deep gratitude to ancestors.
Vietnam Beauty!
