Banh chung is a rectangular rice cake with a meaty center, wrapped in a layer of mung beans, and covered up with another thick layer of rice.
There is a legend which comes with the story, and explains how the banh chung, representing the green sturdy earth and the banh deo (soft cake) symbolizing the soft white sky came to be two of Viet Nam's traditional dishes. The legend tells the story of King Hung Vuong the sixth who had three sons, when he knew it was time to pick the rightful heir for his kingdom, he called all his sons and said: "I want you all to bring to me the best, most wonderful dishes to present to me. Whoever's food I pick will get to be King of Van Lang (the name of current Viet Nam at the time) and his dish shall forever be the symbol of Viet Nam." His first two son's went straight to the sea and the mountains to find the most exotic food possible, whilst the third prince stayed at home. He lived a simple life with his wife as a famer and didn't stay at the palace alongside his brothers and father. One night, when sleeping, the prince had a dream, he dream that a fairy came to him and taught him how to make two rice cakes out of the most commonly found ingredients in Viet Nam. Along with the help of his wife, the third prince brought these cakes to the king and won, and became the next prince of Van Lang.
Although banh deo is less commonly made, banh chung can be bought nearly all the time in Ha Noi. This 'cake' can be eaten as it is or fried, both have different flavours and tastes as if you are eating two completely different dishes! It is usually made for all the celebrations in Viet Nam.
There is a legend which comes with the story, and explains how the banh chung, representing the green sturdy earth and the banh deo (soft cake) symbolizing the soft white sky came to be two of Viet Nam's traditional dishes. The legend tells the story of King Hung Vuong the sixth who had three sons, when he knew it was time to pick the rightful heir for his kingdom, he called all his sons and said: "I want you all to bring to me the best, most wonderful dishes to present to me. Whoever's food I pick will get to be King of Van Lang (the name of current Viet Nam at the time) and his dish shall forever be the symbol of Viet Nam." His first two son's went straight to the sea and the mountains to find the most exotic food possible, whilst the third prince stayed at home. He lived a simple life with his wife as a famer and didn't stay at the palace alongside his brothers and father. One night, when sleeping, the prince had a dream, he dream that a fairy came to him and taught him how to make two rice cakes out of the most commonly found ingredients in Viet Nam. Along with the help of his wife, the third prince brought these cakes to the king and won, and became the next prince of Van Lang.
Although banh deo is less commonly made, banh chung can be bought nearly all the time in Ha Noi. This 'cake' can be eaten as it is or fried, both have different flavours and tastes as if you are eating two completely different dishes! It is usually made for all the celebrations in Viet Nam.
Recommendation for a place to buy Banh Chung: 12 Gia Ngư, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Việt Nam
I heard that this was a great place to buy banh chung and they sell it nearly all year round so it is possible to buy banh chung when it is not Tet. It is also in the old quarter so you can explore the neighbourhood along the way.
I heard that this was a great place to buy banh chung and they sell it nearly all year round so it is possible to buy banh chung when it is not Tet. It is also in the old quarter so you can explore the neighbourhood along the way.