Bánh Chưng (Vietnamese Sticky Rice Cake) Recipe

Celebrate Tết (Lunar New Year) with this traditional Banh Chung recipe! These delicious Vietnamese sticky rice cakes are filled with savory yellow mung beans and fatty pork belly, all wrapped in fragrant banana leaves.

What is Banh Chung?

Banh Chung is a Vietnamese sticky rice cake traditionally prepared for Lunar New Year. Representing the shape of the earth in ancient beliefs, its square form is made with layers of glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork belly, wrapped in banana leaves to create its signature look and flavor.

Kitchen Equipment

Here’s what you’ll need to make Banh Chung:

• Mixing bowls for soaking rice, mung beans, and marinating pork overnight.

• Fine mesh sieve to strain rice and mung beans.

• Potato masher to mash mung beans.

• Square molds (10cm, 5-7cm deep) can be crafted from cardboard, if needed.

• Large pot to boil the cakes for hours.

• Small circular wire rack to prevent the cakes from burning during boiling.

• Banana leaves for wrapping and lining the pot.

• Tape & string to secure the rice cakes.

Ingredients

For the sticky rice:

• 3 cups sticky rice (glutinous rice)

• 2 tsp salt

For the pork filling:

• ½ lb pork belly (sliced ¼ inch thick)

• ¼ tsp salt

• Pinch of sugar

• ¼ tsp chicken bouillon powder

• ¼ tsp pepper

• 1 tsp fish sauce

• 5 sliced shallots

For mung bean filling:

• 1 cup peeled split mung beans

• 1 ¼ tsp salt (divided)

• ¼ tsp sugar

• ½ tsp pepper

• ¼ tsp chicken powder

• 6 sliced shallots

Assembly materials:

• 2 packs banana leaves

• Cardboard molds, tape, and string or timber mould

Steps to Make Banh Chung

Day Before – Prep Work

1. Prepare molds: Make a 4-inch square, 2-inch deep mold using cardboard and tape.

2. Soak sticky rice: Wash sticky rice thoroughly and soak it overnight with 2 teaspoons of salt.

3. Marinate pork belly: Mix pork belly with seasonings (salt, sugar, bouillon, pepper, fish sauce, and shallots). Cover and refrigerate overnight.

4. Prepare mung beans: Wash mung beans, soak overnight with ¼ tsp salt.

Day Of – Assembly and Cooking

1. Prep sticky rice: Strain and set aside soaked sticky rice.

2. Cook mung beans: Simmer mung beans in salted water (1 tsp) for 15 minutes. Mash with a potato masher once softened.

3. Caramelize shallots: Sauté shallots in oil on low heat until golden and fragrant (10-15 mins). Mix with mung beans, sugar, pepper, chicken powder, and remaining salt.

4. Line mold: Use banana leaves (pre-cut into 4x12-inch strips) to line your molds, layering them crosswise and leaving excess to fold over the filling later. Line corners with thin strips.

5. Layer ingredients: Add sticky rice, followed by a layer of mung beans, pork belly, a second layer of mung beans, and finish with sticky rice on top. Compress each layer evenly.

Cook the Banh Chung

1. Prepare pot: Place a wire rack at the bottom of a large pot, then line it with layers of banana leaves.

2. Boil: Place the assembled Banh Chung on the rack, add water until fully submerged, and bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 7 hours.

• Refill with boiling water every 2 hours, ensuring the cakes stay submerged.

1. Cool & serve: Remove cakes, place on a wire rack, and cool for 30 minutes. Serve with Vietnamese cold cuts (chả lụa) and pickled vegetables.

Storage

• Refrigerator: Wrap in banana leaves and plastic wrap to store for up to 1 week.

• Freezer: Wrap in foil, store for up to 3 months, and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

• Microwave: Heat in banana leaves for 5-6 minutes.

• Boil: Place in a pot, cover with water, and simmer for 30 minutes. Flip halfway if floating.

FAQs

What’s the difference between Banh Chung and Banh Tet?

Banh Chung is square-shaped and mainly enjoyed in Northern Vietnam, while Banh Tet is cylindrical and popular in Central and Southern regions.

How do I pan-fry Banh Chung (chien Banh Chung)?

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Press reheated Banh Chung onto the pan to flatten, fry until golden on both sides, and enjoy its crispy texture!

What do you eat with Banh Chung?

Pair with chả lụa and pickled vegetables for a traditional combo.

Enjoy crafting this flavorful Vietnamese tradition in your kitchen!