The Lunar New Year, also known as Tết in Vietnam, is one of the most significant holidays in Vietnamese culture, marking the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year. It’s a time for families to reunite, honor ancestors, and enjoy festive meals together. The foods prepared during this holiday are deeply symbolic, representing good fortune, prosperity, and happiness for the year ahead. A Tết feast is an essential part of the celebration, offering a variety of flavors and textures that highlight the richness of Vietnamese cuisine.
This article explores the most popular and traditional dishes for a Tết party, from savory main courses to sweet treats, ensuring a delightful and prosperous celebration. Whether you are hosting a family gathering or a larger celebration, these dishes will bring joy, flavor, and meaning to your table.
1. Traditional Vietnamese Dishes for Tết
The Lunar New Year feast is characterized by its variety, with dishes representing different aspects of life and good fortune. The following dishes are commonly prepared and enjoyed during Tết, and each holds deep cultural significance.
Bánh Chưng and Bánh Tét (Sticky Rice Cakes)
One of the most iconic foods during Tết is Bánh Chưng (square sticky rice cake) and Bánh Tét (cylindrical sticky rice cake). These rice cakes are traditionally filled with mung beans and pork and are wrapped in banana leaves.
Bánh Chưng is a square-shaped cake that symbolizes the Earth, reflecting the ancient Vietnamese belief that the Earth is flat. The cake’s filling of sticky rice, mung beans, and pork represents fertility, prosperity, and the importance of family. On the other hand, Bánh Tét is shaped like a cylinder and is typically associated with Southern Vietnam, where it is made with a similar filling of sticky rice, pork, and mung beans.
Both cakes are essential for the Tết celebration, symbolizing respect for the ancestors and the Earth. They are often enjoyed with pickled onions, which provide a perfect balance to the richness of the rice and pork.
Thịt Kho Tàu (Braised Pork with Eggs)
Thịt Kho Tàu is a traditional Tết dish made from pork belly, eggs, and coconut milk. The pork is slow-braised until tender in a rich and savory caramelized sauce made from sugar, fish sauce, and coconut water. The addition of boiled eggs enhances the dish’s flavor, making it a comforting and indulgent part of the Tết feast.
This dish symbolizes family unity, as the pork and eggs are cooked together to represent harmony. The savory, sweet, and slightly tangy flavors are perfect when paired with steamed rice, making it a beloved main course for Tết.
Gà Luộc (Boiled Chicken)
Boiled chicken is a common dish served during Tết, symbolizing purity, peace, and good health for the new year. The chicken is often boiled with aromatic herbs such as ginger, lemongrass, and onion to enhance its natural flavors. After cooking, the chicken is typically served with a dipping sauce made from salt, pepper, and lime.
In Vietnamese culture, chicken is often associated with ancestral worship, and it’s traditionally offered as a gift to honor deceased family members. Eating boiled chicken during Tết is seen as a way to invoke blessings and ensure a healthy, prosperous year.
Canh Măng (Bamboo Shoot Soup)
Canh Măng is a traditional soup made with bamboo shoots, typically cooked with pork or chicken. The dish is light, flavorful, and nourishing, making it an excellent accompaniment to the heavier dishes served at a Tết feast. Bamboo shoots are believed to symbolize the strength and resilience of the bamboo plant, which can bend without breaking—representing flexibility and endurance in life.
The soup is often prepared with a savory broth made from pork or chicken bones, which adds depth and richness to the dish. It is traditionally served as part of the Tết meal to promote longevity and good health for the coming year.
Nem Rán (Fried Spring Rolls)
No Tết celebration is complete without nem rán, or fried spring rolls. These crispy treats are filled with a mixture of minced pork, shrimp, mushrooms, and vegetables, all wrapped in rice paper and deep-fried until golden brown.
Spring rolls are often served with lettuce and herbs for wrapping, and a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, garlic, sugar, and chili. The crispy exterior combined with the savory filling makes nem rán a crowd-pleasing appetizer or side dish.
Spring rolls symbolize wealth and prosperity because their cylindrical shape is similar to gold bars, signifying the hope for financial success in the new year.
Xôi (Sticky Rice)
Sticky rice, or xôi, is another staple during Tết. It can be served plain or with a variety of toppings, such as mung beans, fried shallots, or pork. A popular variation of xôi for Tết is Xôi Gấc, a vibrant red sticky rice made with gấc fruit, which symbolizes good luck and prosperity. The bright red color is a symbol of happiness, and gấc is believed to bring good fortune in the coming year.
Sticky rice dishes are often served as part of the traditional meal and can be enjoyed with other main dishes like Thịt Kho Tàu or Gà Luộc. Its soft, chewy texture and slightly sweet flavor make it a comforting and satisfying side dish.
2. Side Dishes and Accompaniments
In addition to the main courses, a variety of side dishes and accompaniments are often served to complement the flavors of the meal. These dishes balance the richness of the main courses and add variety to the feast.
Dưa Hành (Pickled Onions)
Dưa Hành, or pickled onions, are a popular side dish during Tết. The sharp, tangy flavor of the pickled onions provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of other dishes, particularly the sticky rice cakes and braised pork.
Making dưa hành involves soaking red onions in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt, allowing the onions to pickle over a few days. The dish not only cleanses the palate but also helps with digestion, making it a perfect accompaniment to a large meal.
Chả Lụa (Vietnamese Pork Sausage)
Chả Lụa is a type of Vietnamese pork sausage that is often served during Tết. Made from finely ground pork, fish sauce, garlic, and pepper, the sausage is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until firm. The result is a smooth, delicate sausage that is sliced into thin rounds and served as part of the festive meal.
This dish is a popular addition to the Tết table because of its versatility—it can be enjoyed on its own, as a filling in bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich), or as part of the spread of meats and side dishes.
Rau Cải Xào Tỏi (Stir-Fried Vegetables with Garlic)
Rau cải xào tỏi is a simple yet flavorful stir-fried vegetable dish commonly served during Tết. Vegetables like bok choy or mustard greens are stir-fried with garlic, offering a light, savory side dish that complements the heavier main courses. This dish provides a balance of flavors, ensuring that the meal isn’t overly rich while also adding color to the feast.
Stir-frying the vegetables with garlic enhances their natural flavors and gives them a savory depth, making it a refreshing and healthy addition to the table.
3. Desserts and Sweets for Tết
After a hearty meal, no Tết celebration would be complete without sweet treats. Desserts play an essential role in the celebration, symbolizing sweetness and happiness for the coming year.
Bánh Chưng Ngọt (Sweet Sticky Rice Cakes)
In addition to savory bánh chưng, there are also sweet versions that are often enjoyed as a dessert. Bánh Chưng Ngọt is made with sticky rice, sugar, and mung beans, offering a sweet and satisfying end to the meal. The sticky rice is fragrant, soft, and sweet, making it a perfect dessert to enjoy with a cup of hot tea.
Chè (Vietnamese Sweet Soup)
Chè is a category of sweet soups and desserts that are often served during Tết. Made from a variety of ingredients such as mung beans, lotus seeds, coconut milk, and sticky rice, chè can be served hot or cold. Popular varieties include Chè Ba Màu (three-color dessert) and Chè Trôi Nước (sticky rice balls in ginger syrup).
Chè represents sweetness in life and is often shared among family members, making it a symbol of unity and prosperity. The different colors and flavors in the dessert also symbolize the different elements of life, such as health, wealth, and happiness.
Mứt Tết (Candied Fruits)
Mứt Tết, or candied fruits, are a traditional sweet treat enjoyed during the Lunar New Year. These fruits, such as lotus seeds, kumquats, ginger, and coconut, are preserved and coated in sugar to create a sweet, chewy snack. The candied fruits are often displayed in beautiful jars or trays as part of the holiday decorations and are shared with guests and family members during Tết.
Each fruit is symbolic of a particular wish for the new year. For example, kumquats are believed to bring prosperity, while ginger is associated with good health and vitality.
4. Drinks to Pair with Tết Dishes
During Tết, beverages such as tea, wine, and soft drinks play an important role in complementing the food and creating a festive atmosphere.
Trà (Vietnamese Tea)
Tea is a vital part of Tết celebrations. Trà Sen (lotus tea) or Trà Xanh (green tea) are commonly served, and they pair beautifully
with the rich and savory dishes of the feast. The aromatic tea provides a refreshing contrast to the heavy flavors and cleanses the palate.
Rượu Mận (Plum Wine)
Rượu Mận is a sweet plum wine often served during Tết celebrations. The rich, fruity flavor of the plum wine pairs well with the variety of dishes, especially the savory ones like Thịt Kho Tàu and fried spring rolls. The alcohol content is mild, making it a suitable drink for guests of all ages.
Conclusion
A Tết feast is much more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of family, tradition, and the hopes for a prosperous year ahead. With its variety of flavorful dishes, from the iconic bánh chưng and bánh tét to savory mains like thịt kho tàu and gà luộc, Tết meals are a reflection of Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage. These dishes not only symbolize abundance and prosperity but also bring loved ones together, creating memories and fostering a sense of unity. Whether you’re celebrating with family or hosting friends, these dishes will ensure your Tết celebration is filled with joy, flavor, and good fortune.