"Banh Chung" - The soul of Vietnamese New Year (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) -"Banh Chung" (square glutinous rice cake) is a traditional cake ofVietnamese people during Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays.
For the Vietnamese, making Banh Chung is an ideal way to express gratitude totheir ancestors and homeland.
“Banh Chung” was invented by the 18th prince of Hung King in the contest oflooking for his successor.
According to the legend, 3,000-4,000 years ago, Prince Lang Lieu made round andsquare cakes, with the round Day cake symbolising the sky and the square Chungcake, the Earth (under the ancient Vietnamese perception), as offerings on theoccasion of Spring.
In the ancient conception, the Earth is square, hence Banh Chung has squareshape to reflect the Earth.
Since the cakes he offered were of special meaning and delicious taste, LangLieu was selected to be the next king.
Since then, in honor of this, Vietnamese people always make and have this forthe Lunar New Year. Chung cake has become the most famous and irreplaceabletraditional Vietnamese food in Tet holiday.
This legend aims to remind the next generations of the ancient tradition aswell as the primary of Chung cake. Besides, it emphasises the important role ofrice and nature in the water rice culture.
In contrast to the fast food in modern life, the process of making Banh Chungis time-consuming and requires the joint work of several people.
Main ingredients are glutinous rice, pork, and green beans wrapped square inbroad-blade leaves that will give the rice a green color after about 12 hours'boiling. The wrapping power must be neither too tight nor too loose.
The food has a high level ofnutrition with an original tasty flavor and may be kept for a long time. EatingBanh Chung with vegetable pickles will bring you unforgettable taste.
In the traditional conceptionof Vietnamese people, the process of making Banh Chung is an opportunity forthe family’s reunion. Sitting around the fire, family members tell one anotherthe past stories and are ready for a New Year with best wishes.
Nowadays, in some big cities,the business lifestyle of modern society prevent people from preparing thecake, however the habit of worship ancestors with it never changes. It is theevidence of the Vietnamese loyalty and deep gratitude to ancestors.-VNA
For the Vietnamese, making Banh Chung is an ideal way to express gratitude totheir ancestors and homeland.
“Banh Chung” was invented by the 18th prince of Hung King in the contest oflooking for his successor.
According to the legend, 3,000-4,000 years ago, Prince Lang Lieu made round andsquare cakes, with the round Day cake symbolising the sky and the square Chungcake, the Earth (under the ancient Vietnamese perception), as offerings on theoccasion of Spring.
In the ancient conception, the Earth is square, hence Banh Chung has squareshape to reflect the Earth.
Since the cakes he offered were of special meaning and delicious taste, LangLieu was selected to be the next king.
Since then, in honor of this, Vietnamese people always make and have this forthe Lunar New Year. Chung cake has become the most famous and irreplaceabletraditional Vietnamese food in Tet holiday.
This legend aims to remind the next generations of the ancient tradition aswell as the primary of Chung cake. Besides, it emphasises the important role ofrice and nature in the water rice culture.
In contrast to the fast food in modern life, the process of making Banh Chungis time-consuming and requires the joint work of several people.
Main ingredients are glutinous rice, pork, and green beans wrapped square inbroad-blade leaves that will give the rice a green color after about 12 hours'boiling. The wrapping power must be neither too tight nor too loose.
The food has a high level ofnutrition with an original tasty flavor and may be kept for a long time. EatingBanh Chung with vegetable pickles will bring you unforgettable taste.
In the traditional conceptionof Vietnamese people, the process of making Banh Chung is an opportunity forthe family’s reunion. Sitting around the fire, family members tell one anotherthe past stories and are ready for a New Year with best wishes.
Nowadays, in some big cities,the business lifestyle of modern society prevent people from preparing thecake, however the habit of worship ancestors with it never changes. It is theevidence of the Vietnamese loyalty and deep gratitude to ancestors.-VNA
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