18 traditional Tết day dishes of the Vietnamese people

Tết day dishes are no longer unfamiliar to all Vietnamese people. However, each region has its own characteristics in Tết day cuisine. Let’s explore the characteristics of traditional Tết day dishes in Vietnam with Kamereo in this article!

Images of traditional Tết day dishes in Vietnam

Table of Contents:

Delicious Tết day dishes in the North
Central Vietnam Tết Day Dishes
Delicious Tết Day Dishes in Southern Vietnam

Delicious Tết day dishes in the North

Delicious Tết specialties in Hanoi, specifically, and the Northern region, in general, inherit the essence of traditional Vietnamese Tết day cuisine. Each dish brings a full spectrum of aromas and profound meanings.

Bánh chưng (Square sticky rice cake)

First and foremost, when discussing the topic of traditional Tết day dishes in Vietnam, one must immediately mention bánh chưng. This Tết day dish is closely associated with the lengthy history of Vietnamese cuisine. Bánh chưng is seen as a symbol of the earth, expressing Prince Lang Liêu’s gratitude to King Hùng, the 16th generation, along with the land and sky.

Bánh chưng is indispensable in the Tết day feast of people in the North.

Bánh chưng is a harmonious combination of sticky rice, sweet mung beans, lightly spicy pepper, and fatty, savory pork. This creates a distinctive Tết day flavor. In particular, the image of families sitting together waiting for the bánh chưng pot to be cooked has become a cultural value, closely tied to the souls of Northern people every Tết.

Many families still often cook banh chung on New Year's Eve — Many families still often cook banh chung on New Year’s Eve

In addition to appearing on the traditional dining table, bánh chưng has also become a meaningful gift for relatives and friends on special occasions like Tết.

Xôi gấc (Red sticky rice)

According to folk beliefs, the color red symbolizes luck and happiness in life, especially in love. Therefore, on important occasions such as full moon days, festivals, and especially Tết, a plate of xôi gấc is indispensable.

Gac sticky rice has a characteristic red color to pray for good luck at the beginning of the year

Xôi gấc is made from good glutinous rice, combined with fresh gấc fruit, then steamed in a water steamer. When fully cooked, the sticky rice will have a beautiful red color, creating an attractive appearance. Particularly, you can enjoy the delicious and sticky taste of glutinous rice, the rich flavor of coconut milk, and the sweetness of sugar blending together.

Dưa hành (Pickled onions)

Another essential Tết day dish on the New Year’s Day meal of Vietnamese people is pickled onions. This is a folk dish on Tết day but extremely important in the traditional feast of people in the North.

Pickled onions are an indispensable Tet dish in Northern meals

With a slightly sour and mildly spicy taste, pickled onions are often served with bánh chưng or frozen meat, creating a delicious flavor. This is the most effective choice to counteract greasiness during Tết.

Giò (Vietnamese pork sausage)

Giò is an indispensable part of the Lunar New Year dishes. This delicious dish is made from minced pork in a stone mortar, then wrapped in banana leaves before being boiled. The smooth, crunchy, and delicious pieces of giò are not only a delicious dish but also an excellent choice to give to family members.

Delicious pork sausage enriches the Tet meal

The delicious pieces of giò contribute to the saying, “warm inside, prosperous home,” becoming an essential part of the Vietnamese people’s New Year’s feast.

Thịt gà luộc (Boiled chicken)

Boiled chicken is often present on the dining table for important occasions such as weddings, engagements, longevity celebrations, or housewarmings. The sweet, aromatic taste of chicken, dipped in a mixture of salt, pepper, and lime, creates a special and unforgettable flavor. Therefore, boiled chicken has become one of the easy-to-make Tết day dishes indispensable for family meals.

Boiled chicken easily makes meals more delicious

Nem rán (Fried spring rolls)

Fried spring rolls are a unique and attractive Tết day dish, essential in the early days of the year for people in the North. With a shiny golden color on the outside and filled with meat, wood ear mushrooms, and vermicelli inside, it creates a distinctive rich and fatty taste. Fried spring rolls are not only visually appealing but also considered one of the “national souls” in Vietnamese cuisine.

Fried spring rolls are a perfect indulgence for Tết day

Central Vietnam Tết Day Dishes

Next, let’s explore the Tết day dishes in Central Vietnam. Due to its extensive geographical influence, Central Vietnamese cuisine is quite diverse, featuring many delicious dishes that captivate many people.

Bánh tét (Cylindrical glutinous rice cake):

Bánh tét is the first name on the list of Tết day dishes in Central Vietnam. Particularly, this cylindrical cake symbolizes the convergence of earth and sky. Unlike the northern bánh chưng wrapped in dong leaves, Central Vietnamese bánh tét is enveloped with banana leaves.

The group of delicious Tet cakes means the convergence of heaven and earth

Despite having similar ingredients, Central Vietnamese bánh tét is shaped into cylindrical portions, creating a unique appearance. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also emphasizes the distinct flavors of each ingredient inside. Additionally, Central Vietnamese bánh tét is not only delicious but also alluring due to its simplicity and refinement in preparation.

Nem chua (Fermented pork roll)

If you have the opportunity to visit Central Vietnam during Tết, you will undoubtedly be invited to savor some strong-flavored wine and grilled nem chua. This dish is prepared from pork, marinated with spices, then wrapped in guava or fig leaves for several days. This process results in a sour, crunchy, and slightly spicy flavor. Notably, nem chua can be eaten with garlic to enhance its taste.

Nem chua is a specialty of the people in Central Vietnam

Dưa món (Pickled vegetables)

While the North usually has pickled onions on Tết day, the Central region is renowned for dưa món. This daily delicious Tết dish is prepared from various ingredients such as turnips, carrots, cucumbers, papayas, and radishes, delivering an irresistible taste.

Nem chua is a specialty dish of the Central people

Despite appearing simple, creating colorful and flavorful dưa món demands precision and time. The soft sticky layer of bánh tét combined with crisp, tangy dưa món creates a unique and unforgettable sensation. Many consider this combination as a distinctive flavor during Tết.

Tôm chua (Sour shrimp)

Tôm chua is a specialty of Huế, and it is an indispensable Tết day dish on the table of Central Vietnamese people. With the sweet and savory taste of shrimp, the richness of meat, along with the spicy and aromatic flavors of ginger, garlic, chili, the sourness of star fruits, the bitterness of vả, and the fragrance of various herbs, all these ingredients combine to create an enchanting “symphony of flavors.” Those who taste it at least once will forever remember the unique and delicious taste of tôm chua.

You can feel many unique flavors in the sour shrimp

Chả bò (Beef sausage):

The red-hued chả bò roll is often an essential dish on the hospitality table of Central Vietnamese people in the early days of spring. With its unique combination of crispy, chewy, salty, sweet, and spicy flavors of black pepper, this Tết day dish has become an indispensable part of significant occasions.

Chả bò is one of the popular Tết day dishes in Central Vietnam

Thịt ngâm mắm (Marinated meat in fish sauce)

In many provinces in Central Vietnam, marinated meat in fish sauce is a common salty dish on every Tết and Lunar New Year. After initial preparation, pork or beef is marinated in a specific ratio of fish sauce and sugar, depending on the region. The marinated meat has a sweet and salty taste and is often paired with pickled vegetables, sweet and sour turnips, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs.

Thịt ngâm mắm has a distinctive flavor suitable for the first meal of the year

Delicious Tết Day Dishes in Southern Vietnam

The traditional Tết day dishes in Southern Vietnam are also very diverse, offering a full spectrum of colors and different flavors. Let’s find out what people in Southern Vietnam enjoy during Tết.

Thịt kho nước dừa (Braised pork in coconut water)

In the list of suggested delicious Tết day dishes in Southern Vietnam, braised pork in coconut water is undoubtedly a name that is always mentioned. This traditional Vietnamese Tết dish is also known by various names such as “thịt kho rệu” or “thịt kho hột vịt.”

Southern rice dishes cannot lack meat braised in coconut milk during Tet

Braised pork in coconut water is an essential preparation for Southern families in the days leading up to Tết. The tender meat, cooked with eggs and coconut water, creates an attractive, easy-to-eat, and especially delicious appearance. To avoid a greasy feeling, you can pair this dish with pickled vegetables.

Củ kiệu tôm khô (Dried shrimp pickled turnip)

When it comes to unique and delicious Tết dishes in Southern Vietnam, dried shrimp pickled turnip is highly praised. Unlike the Central region where pickled turnips are served with bánh tét, in the South, people eat them with dried shrimp and pieces of crystallized sugar. This creates a crunchy, chewy, flavorful experience for diners.

Dried shrimp pickled turnip is an incredibly unique Tết dish that perfectly complements rice

Bánh tét (Sticky rice cake)

While bánh tét in the Central region is usually made in a simple way, in the South, it has undergone significant “innovation.” In addition to the savory type with traditional ingredients such as mung beans and fatty pork, many families add salted eggs, Chinese sausage to cater to different tastes.

There are many types of Southern banh tet fillings depending on everyone’s preferences

Sweet-filled bánh tét is also one of the Tết day dishes in Vietnam. Common ingredients for the sweet filling include bananas, red beans, green beans, etc. Especially, bánh tét from the Mekong Delta often has a square, solid shape, which is sturdy and visually appealing. Trà Vinh is one of the places famous for Trà Cuôn bánh tét with a diverse filling, not only delicious but also aesthetically pleasing.

Canh khổ qua nhồi thịt (Bitter melon soup with stuffed pork)

For every Southern family, bitter melon soup with stuffed pork is a delicious dish, especially during Tết. This dish carries the meaning of overcoming difficulties, bringing luck and prosperity. Moreover, bitter melon soup with stuffed pork is a nutritious dish, helping to cool the body, suitable for enjoying on the hot Tết days in the South.

Bitter melon soup with stuffed pork is no longer unfamiliar to people in the South

Dưa giá (Pickled bean sprouts)

Pickled bean sprouts are a recommended Tết day dish for cooling off due to their refreshing and crunchy nature. This dish is often enjoyed with rice or rolled in rice paper, creating a delightful taste. However, the most harmonious combination is with braised pork with quail eggs, effectively reducing the greasy feeling. The main ingredients of pickled bean sprouts include bean sprouts, Chinese chives, and carrots, providing many nutritious elements for the body.

Pickled bean sprouts are usually served with rice and braised pork with quail eggs

Lạp xưởng (Chinese sausage)

Finally, in the list of delicious and easy-to-make Tết dishes, there is lạp xưởng. This is also one of the popular and familiar dishes in the South. Various types of lạp xưởng are available, including fresh, dried, lean, shrimp, and fish. Each type has its characteristic flavor, with an unforgettable taste.

Additionally, lạp xưởng can be prepared in various ways, such as boiling, frying, or grilling. One of the common and preferred methods is to fry without oil, not only bringing a delicious flavor but also being safe for health.

Lạp xưởng is an easily prepared dish on traditional Tết days

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Above are the characteristic dishes of Vietnamese Tết. Each Tết day dish has a history intertwined with the traditions of the nation and carries profound meanings. Through this article, it is hoped that you will know what to eat on Tết with your family members. Don’t forget to follow Food trends to discover many delicious and interesting dishes!

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