The Iconic Sticky Rice Cake of Lunar New Year
No Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration is complete without Bánh Chưng, the traditional sticky rice cake that has been enjoyed for generations. Wrapped in banana leaves and filled with glutinous rice, mung beans and pork, Bánh Chưng is more than just a festive dish — it is a symbol of family, gratitude and Vietnamese heritage.
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The Story Behind Bánh Chưng
According to Vietnamese legend, Bánh Chưng was created to represent the earth, while Bánh Dày represented the sky. The square shape reflects harmony, prosperity and respect for ancestors, making it a centrepiece of Tết celebrations across Vietnam.
Families often gather before Lunar New Year to prepare and cook Bánh Chưng together, passing down traditions and stories from one generation to the next.
Ingredients
For the Rice
- 3 cups glutinous rice
- 2 teaspoons salt
For the Pork Filling
- 500g pork belly, sliced
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of sugar
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 5 shallots, sliced
For the Mung Bean Filling
- 1 cup split mung beans
- 1¼ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 6 shallots, sliced
To Assemble
- Banana leaves
- Cooking string
- Square mould (optional)
Preparation
1. Soak Overnight
Wash and soak the glutinous rice and mung beans separately overnight.
Marinate the pork belly with fish sauce, salt, sugar, pepper and shallots, then refrigerate overnight.
2. Prepare the Filling
Cook the mung beans until soft, then mash them. Sauté shallots until golden and mix through the mung beans with seasoning.
3. Assemble the Cake
Line a square mould with banana leaves.
Layer:
- Sticky rice
- Mung bean mixture
- Pork belly
- Mung bean mixture
- Sticky rice
Fold the banana leaves tightly around the filling and secure with string.
4. Cook
Place the cakes into a large pot and cover completely with water.
Simmer gently for approximately 6–8 hours, topping up with hot water as required.
5. Cool and Serve
Allow the cakes to cool before slicing.
Traditionally, Bánh Chưng is served with:
- Chả lụa (Vietnamese pork roll)
- Pickled vegetables
- Dưa món
- Vietnamese tea
Storage
- Refrigerate for up to one week.
- Freeze for up to three months.
Leftover Bánh Chưng
One of the best ways to enjoy leftover Bánh Chưng is to pan-fry slices until golden and crispy on both sides. The crunchy exterior and soft savoury filling make it a favourite Tết snack.
Celebrate Tết on Victoria Street
Every Lunar New Year, Victoria Street Richmond comes alive with food, culture and community celebrations. Whether you're enjoying traditional Bánh Chưng at home or discovering Vietnamese cuisine for the first time, this iconic dish remains a delicious reminder of family, heritage and the spirit of Tết.
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới — Happy Lunar New Year!
