Spring emerges with a myriad of materials and movements, demanding the use of our senses and emotions to perceive and feel. Similar to scents and sounds, the sensation of tasting a familiar flavor also infuses the spirit of spring. "The Flavor of Spring" is precisely that, immersing in the soul of a beautiful season and dispelling the cold emptiness of the past winter.
"The Flavor of Spring" begins from the Western New Year, where one unconsciously senses the bustling atmosphere welcoming Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) within. It triggers memories of both familiar and new tastes, warming the stomach and providing energy to fully enjoy the spring season.
However, each region has its own unique flavors, embodying distinct characteristics of a particular land. The common thread remains the delicious, rich taste and the pride in one's homeland. Regardless of the location, the "Vietnamese flavor" extends far and wide. It's not just about food; the "Vietnamese flavor" also runs through the blood, connecting millions of Vietnamese people.
So, which "Flavor of Spring" do you remember and desire to savor the most? Let's reminisce about the characteristic Tet dishes through the following suggestive lines!
Fried Spring Rolls
This is a signature dish of the Northern Vietnamese people, now widely enjoyed throughout the country. Spring rolls are made from pork, wood ear mushrooms, vermicelli, eggs, and more, fried to a crispy golden perfection, served with sweet and sour fish sauce. This dish is loved by people everywhere, especially the younger generation, for its easy-to-eat nature and irresistibly enticing flavor.
Fried spring rolls are closely associated with the image of generations of women standing in the kitchen, patiently rolling each one with a firm hand, aspiring for family harmony and love, bringing family members closer together, and symbolizing the assurance of future success.
Square Sticky Rice Cake (Bánh Chưng)
Surely, no one can forget this dish, right? A dish that appears in our lessons from childhood with the form of a legend. Legend has it that Thần (God) told Tiết Liêu that rice is the most precious food on earth, instructing him to make square sticky rice cakes (Bánh Chưng) and round sticky rice cakes (Bánh Dày) to symbolize Heaven and Earth. King Hùng tasted them and decided to pass the throne to Tiết Liêu.
Since then, every Lunar New Year, people make square sticky rice cakes to offer to Heaven, Earth, and ancestors. This dish carries a sacred meaning, demonstrating reverence and appreciation for what one has.
Tet Candies (Mứt Tết)
This is perhaps the joy of Tet for many people. Every household displays a variety of Tet candies to invite guests, gather together for conversations, and enjoy the festivities.
Boiled Chicken (Gà Luộc)
The leading dish on the Tet feast. A perfectly boiled chicken should be a male chicken with wings folded, legs tied in a pose. When boiling the chicken, it must be carefully monitored to ensure even cooking without breaking the skin, so the chicken retains its proud and upright appearance on the festive table. People choose a rooster instead of a hen because it represents the five virtues of a person: spiritual, warrior, courage, benevolence, and loyalty.
This dish carries both practical and spiritual significance, a tradition passed down through generations. It expresses filial piety towards grandparents, hoping for ancestral protection for a prosperous and peaceful life.
Caramelized Pork and Eggs (Thịt Kho Tàu)
The first dish that cannot be left unmentioned is caramelized pork and eggs or braised pork. This is also a dish that everyone must eat... until the end of Tet. With simple ingredients like pork belly and chicken or duck eggs, and in some places, quail eggs, cooked for hours with skillful fire control. An essential component is the unique color created by coconut water.
Caramelized pork and eggs have existed for a very long time in history, and though its origin is unclear, it has been closely associated with Vietnamese people, especially those in the South, for a long time. It brings a sense of warmth, comfort, and a sign of a successful and prosperous new year for everyone.
Detailed Information:
Đông Xanh - Media Collaborator, University of Information Technology
English version: Phan Huy Hoang
