Top 14 indispensable dishes in the Central region's Tet tray with rich Vietnamese flavor

Central Vietnam is a land with a diverse and rich culture, expressed through many different aspects. In particular, the Central region's Tet tray is especially imbued with the typical flavors of this sunny and windy land with many delicious, unique and meaningful dishes. Although life is still difficult, the people of the Central region still prepare a full Tet tray, expressing their wishes for a prosperous and harmonious new year. Let's explore 12 Central region Tet dishes that you should not miss.

1. Banh tet

Banh tet (Image source: Collected)

Banh tet is the soul of the Tet tray in the Central region, similar to banh chung in the North. This traditional cake has many similarities with banh chung, but it has a long cylindrical shape and is wrapped in banana leaves instead of dong leaves.

Every Tet holiday, families gather together to wrap banh chung. Fragrant new sticky rice, soft green beans combined with delicious pork, a little pepper and garlic, then wrapped in banana leaves. The banh chung is then put on the stove, cooked for 6 to 8 hours until it is evenly cooked and delicious. While waiting for the banh chung to be cooked, everyone can sit around the warm fire and tell each other stories of the old year.

2. Green bean sticky rice

Green bean sticky rice (Photo source: Collected)

In the Tet holiday trays of the Central region, green bean sticky rice is an indispensable dish. For the people of the Central region, the sticky rice is cooked just right, not too sticky, keeping the rich taste of green beans and the characteristic aroma of sticky rice. This is a simple dish but full of culinary culture.
3. Pickled vegetables

Pickled vegetables (Image source: Collected)

Pickled vegetables are a harmonious combination of vegetables such as carrots, papaya, radish, pickled onions... soaked in sour and salty fish sauce, crunchy. This is an indispensable side dish, helping to balance the rich taste of banh tet or fatty meat dishes.
4. Beef stew with molasses

Beef stewed with molasses, a specialty of Nghe An, is a typical dish on the Tet tray in the Central region. Beef is stewed with molasses, fish sauce, garlic and spices, creating a rich and attractive sweet flavor. This dish is often used to change the taste or to enjoy with family during gatherings.
5. Veal ham

Veal ham (Image source: Collected)

Nghe An veal ham has become a popular delicacy throughout the country. This dish not only has a special flavor but is also very convenient when entertaining guests. Veal ham with a tough crust, soft and sweet meat filling, is often stored in the refrigerator for later use.
6. Pork belly in fish sauce

Pickled pork belly (Photo source: Collected)

Pickled pork belly is a dish with rich Central Vietnamese flavor, often served with pickles or raw vegetables. After being boiled, the pork belly is soaked in fish sauce mixed with sugar, creating a harmonious flavor. This dish can be preserved for a long time, suitable for busy Tet holidays.
7. Sour shrimp

Sour shrimp is a famous specialty dish of the Central region. The shrimp is naturally fermented, combined with galangal and garlic, creating a characteristic sweet and sour flavor. When eating, people in the Central region often combine sour shrimp with pork belly, sour star fruit or green banana, bringing a unique taste experience.
8. Braised radish and pork

Braised radish and pork is a rustic dish but indispensable in the Tet holiday tray of the Central region. Pork is braised with radish, the spices are absorbed evenly, creating a rich dish, suitable to be served with white rice or banh tet.
9. Nem chua

Nem chua (Image source: Collected)

Central Vietnamese sour sausage is made from minced pork, mixed with spices and wrapped in banana leaves. After a few days of fermentation, the sausage reaches a moderate sourness, perfect to sip with wine during Tet conversations.
10. Tre

Tré is a long-standing traditional dish, often appearing in the Tet trays of the Central region. Made from pork head meat, fried pork belly, combined with galangal, garlic, rice powder and guava leaves, Tré brings a rich and unforgettable flavor.
11. Ginger jam

Ginger jam (Image source: Collected)

Ginger jam is a familiar dish, helping to dispel the cold of Tet. Ginger is thinly sliced, simmered with sugar until it is soft and sweet. This is not only an attractive snack but also a good folk remedy for health.
12. Rice cake

Banh in (Photo source: Collected)

Banh in is a sweet cake that is often found on the Tet tray in the Central region. This cake is made from tapioca flour, sticky rice flour, mung beans, sugar and other ingredients. Banh in is white, engraved with the words Phuc, Loc, Tho and wrapped in five-color paper. This cake is often used for worship or to entertain guests during Tet. With a delicious, sweet taste, banh in can be served with hot tea, coffee or milk. Tet dishes in the Central region are not only diverse and attractive but also contain deep cultural and spiritual values. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand more about the characteristics of Tet cuisine in the Central region. Don't forget to try these delicious dishes to fully experience the taste of Tet at home.

Source : https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/mon-an-khong-the-thieu-trong-mam-co-ngay-tet-mien-trung-v16351.aspx