What Is Bánh Chưng?

Bánh chưng is a special cake in Vietnam. People eat it during Tết, the Lunar New Year. It has a square shape.

Bánh chưng has four main things: sticky rice, green beans, pork, and banana leaves. Vietnamese people wrap the rice and pork in banana leaves. Then they boil it for many hours.

Making bánh chưng takes a long time. Many families cook it together at night. Children like to watch the big pot on the fire. They wait and talk with their grandparents.

Bánh chưng tastes soft and a little salty. People put it on the family altar first. Then everyone eats it together.

Last year, I helped my mother wrap bánh chưng. It was difficult, but fun. Now, bánh chưng is my favorite food during Tết.