Bánh Tét - Essential to Tet in the South of Vietnam
Banh Tet, a traditional cake representative of Southern Vietnam, is commonly found in homes during Tet celebrations. It is a variant of Banh Chung from the North, with similar ingredients like glutinous rice, mung beans, and cooked pork. However, Banh Tet is distinctively shaped like a cylinder, contrasting with the square or round shapes of Banh Chung.
Banh Tet, wrapped in green leaves, showcases its cylindrical form after preparation.
Making Banh Tet
Banh Tet is typically prepared about a week before Tet. The glutinous rice should be of high quality—fragrant and fresh—to ensure the best flavor. Mung beans need thorough rinsing before cooking. The pork, along with its fat, is seasoned with salt, sugar, and spices before being mixed with the other ingredients. Some recipes include dried shrimp for added taste in the filling. The ingredients are wrapped in banana leaves. Once everything is laid out on the banana leaves and tied with plastic or natural ribbons, Banh Tet is steamed in a large pot.
Similar to Banh Chung, Banh Tet requires soaked glutinous rice, mung beans, pork, and wrapping leaves.
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Once cooked, Banh Tet is cut horizontally with string, revealing its soft glutinous rice that harmoniously combines with pork and mung beans, resembling a donut without a hole but with a delicious core. It is typically served with cu cai muoi (pickled turnip) and thit kho nuoc cot dua (pork braised in coconut juice). Banh Tet can be stored in the refrigerator during Tet festivities, and can be reheated by steaming or pan-frying. Some enjoy coating Banh Tet in flour before frying it for an added crispy texture.
Serving Banh Tet and Varieties
Tea is ideally paired with Banh Tet, as a hot cup can complement the cake and help clean any sticky rice from your teeth, enhancing the overall experience.
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Additionally, Banh Tet can be made with bananas, known as Banh Tet Chuoi. The bananas should be ripe to ensure that the Banh Tet Chuoi is sweet; using unripe bananas can result in a bitter flavor. This variation is popular in the Mekong Delta region, particularly in Tien Giang Province. If you find yourself in the Tien Giang markets, be sure to try a piece—you might just love it!
While Banh Chung and Banh Day symbolize the North, Banh Tet stands as a unique dish for the Southern people. The process of making and enjoying Banh Tet plays a significant role in fostering the warm atmosphere of Tet, uniting family members and neighbors as they gather to savor this traditional cake during the New Year celebrations.
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