(TAP) - Every spring, Chung cake is solemnly placed on ancestral altars, becoming an indispensable symbol of the traditional Tet celebration. More than just a dish, Chung cake embodies cultural and historical stories, as well as cherished family memories passed down through generations of Vietnamese people.
Lang Lieu - the eighteenth prince, son of the Sixth Hung King, created two types of cakes from rice to offer in ancestral worship. Source: pasgo.vn
Chung cake originated from the legend of Lang Lieu, associated with the Hung King era. According to folk historical records found in cultural documents and textbooks, Lang Lieu - the eighteenth prince, son of the Sixth Hung King, created two types of cakes from rice to offer in worship of his ancestors. The square-shaped Chung cake represents the Earth, with its filling symbolizing abundance, while the round sticky rice cake represents the Sky. Through many generations, Chung cake has continued to play an essential role during the Lunar New Year.
Ingredients for wrapping Chung cake. Source: Pucktpr (Pinterest)
Chung cake uses simple ingredients such as glutinous rice, mung beans, pork, and dong leaves or banana leaves, combined with a meticulous preparation process to create a traditional flavor that is hard to replace. Glutinous rice is usually carefully selected, preferably the round-grained, naturally fragrant "nep cai hoa vang" variety, and then soaked for 10-12 hours to achieve the necessary softness. The mung beans are hulled, thoroughly washed, steamed until cooked, and mashed to create a rich, nutty texture. The filling uses thick slices of pork belly, seasoned with pepper, shallots, and a moderate amount of spices to balance the fattiness. Dong leaves or banana leaves are washed and wiped dry to preserve their green color, while bamboo strings are used to secure the cake’s square shape.
The wrapping and boiling stages require both care and experience. First, the leaves are arranged in order; next, a layer of glutinous rice is spread out, the filling is placed in the center, and the cake is wrapped tightly by hand. The cake is then boiled continuously for 10 to 15 hours, depending on its size, allowing the rice grains to cook evenly and blend harmoniously with the filling inside. Once removed, the cake is usually pressed gently on a flat surface to drain excess water and maintain a firm, sticky texture. It is precisely the making process and the long hours of cooking over the fire, each person taking on a different task, that create the distinctive atmosphere of reunion during the Vietnamese Tet holiday.
The cultural significance of Chung cake goes far beyond its culinary value. Source: pasgo.vn
The cultural significance of Chung cake goes far beyond its culinary value. The green cake, wrapped in leaves, symbolizes gratitude to Heaven and Earth as well as to deities, while also expressing filial piety toward ancestors. In modern life, as many people live and work far from their hometowns at the end of the year, the moment of gathering together to wrap the cakes has become increasingly rare and precious. Studies on Vietnamese culinary culture also note that Chung cake serves as an “edible memory” of Tet.
In addition to being enjoyed in the traditional way, Chung cake is also prepared in various familiar styles, such as deep-frying it, serving it with pickled onions or fish sauce. Regardless of how it is prepared, Chung cake retains its symbolic value, becoming a link that connects the past with the present whenever spring returns.
Anh Nhi