Banh Chung

Experience the heart of Vietnamese cuisine with Banh Chung, a savory rice cake filled with tender pork and creamy mung beans, wrapped in fragrant banana leaves. Perfect for Lunar New Year celebrations or a cozy family gathering.

• 500 g glutinous rice
• 300 g mung beans
• 400 g pork belly
• 2 tbsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp salt
• 6 pieces banana leaves
• 1 piece string

Method

1. 1

   Rinse the soaked glutinous rice and mung beans together, then drain them.

2. 2

   Steam the mung beans until cooked, about 20 minutes, then mash them and mix with salt and pepper.

3. 3

   In a mixing bowl, marinate the pork belly with salt and black pepper, then set aside for about 15 minutes.

4. 4

   Prepare a square mold (around 20 cm x 20 cm) lined with banana leaves, then layer glutinous rice, a layer of mung beans, and pork belly, followed by another layer of mung beans and glutinous rice.

5. 5

   Fold the banana leaves over the filling and secure tightly with string to form a square package.

6. 6

   Place the wrapped cakes in a pot of boiling water and boil for about 6 hours, making sure to keep them submerged.

7. 7

   Once cooked, remove the cakes from the pot and let them cool before unwrapping.

8. 8

   Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.