History and Legends
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| Fresh Green Banh Chung (Bánh Chưng Xanh) |
The origin of Banh Chung can be traced to Hong Bang Dynasty
when the 6th Hung Emperor ruled the land (read Vietnam Early
History). Sadly thinking he was too old to lead the country, Hung Emperor
wanted to find the one to inherit his position and sit on the throne.
Therefore, he held a cooking contest for his 21 sons, and who could fully
satisfy his taste would be the winner.
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. Not having enough money to afford such delicacies, Lieu just stayed around
his house. Thanks to the help of a fairy in his dream, Lieu came up with 2
types of cakes called “Banh Chung” and “Banh Day” and started baking exactly
like what he has been told. On a spring day on which all the princes’ labor had
to be presented, Lang Lieu and his wife brought Banh Chung and Banh Day to the
Emperor while other princes presented such expensive and unusual dishes.
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| Banh Day (Bánh Dầy) |
Other sneered at Lieu’s cakes, but Hung Emperor was deeply
impressed by the special flavor of these cakes. He asked Lieu about the meaning
of these cakes. Lieu said that he had cooked the glutinous rice, then molded it
into a round rice cake, and called it Banh Day as it symbolized the sky we live
under; he also cooked a square rice cake, stuffed it with cooked bean paste and
ground meat in the middle, and called it Banh Chung, which was symbolic of the
earth we live on. After that, Hung Emperor decided that Lieu was the winner and
passed his throne to him. Since then, Banh Chung and Banh Day become
traditional foods during the Tet’s holiday.
Banh Chung Today
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| Bánh Chưng Chiên (rán) |
Banh Chung can be served as it is or fried to make “Bánh
Chưng chiên (rán). A delicious for such cold February in Vietnam. In some other
regions, especically the Southern part of Vietnam, Banh Chung can be wrap in a
cylindral shape with same ingredients, called “Banh Tet”.
A similar one to Banh
Tet is “Banh Tay” or Banh Chung Dài” (Long Banh Chung), served solely in the
North with mung bean and little or no pork, hence, can be preserved for a
longer period. There are also many variations of Banh Chung according to
regions, religions, and likings such as Banh Chung Gu (Humped Banh Chung) of
San Diu people, Banh Chung Chay (Vegetarian Banh Chung) for vegetarians and
Buddists, Banh Chung Ngot (Sweetened Banh Chung, etc.
In traditional context, the process of making Banh Chung is
an occasion for Vietnamese family members to get together. Sitting around the
warm fire, talking and telling each other past stories, they get ready for a
New Year with lots of good wishes. Although nowadays, not many Vietnamese
families keep this habit anymore, Banh Chung is still an irreplaceable dish of
Vietnamese ancestor altar on the occasion of Tet. It is the evidence of the
Vietnamese 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”.
