Buzz
1. Various Salad Dishes
Salads not only enhance your skin, detoxify the body, and promote health, but they also make for excellent appetizers for Tet. You might even surprise the men in your family with a delicious salad. A simple bean sprout salad is sure to impress. Besides bean sprout salad, you can also prepare other refreshing salads like cabbage salad, kale salad, water spinach salad, and sprout salads, all of which are incredibly tasty and refreshing.
2. Banana Blossom Salad (and other types of salads)
After the indulgence of heavy, greasy meals during Tet, many people crave something lighter to refresh their palate. A simple banana blossom salad can be the perfect remedy for this. During this season, fresh, tender banana blossoms are easy to find. In addition to this dish, you can prepare other types of salads such as water spinach salad, seafood mango salad, pig’s ear and cucumber salad, or green papaya and dried beef salad.
3. Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are a beloved dish in many households. Adding spring rolls to your Tet meal can make it both tasty and light on the stomach, which is a welcome change after heavy, rich foods. You can try making shrimp and pork spring rolls for your family meal, or switch things up with other variations like beef rolls with mustard greens, pork rolls with rice paper, or pho rolls to bring more variety to the table.
4. Vegetable Hot Pot
After days of heavy meals like boiled chicken, jelly, or fried pork, many people crave vegetables. However, you don’t need to worry, as your appetite for Tet dishes can be revived with a well-prepared vegetable hot pot. You can even add tofu, mushrooms, or fresh corn to make it more enticing. And if you have leftover beef slices meant for stir-frying, why not add them into the pot to make a perfect finishing touch?
5. Pickled Pig's Ears
Vietnamese cuisine is incredibly diverse, and alongside traditional Tet dishes, there are always room for new culinary twists. One such twist is pickling, and pickled pig's ears have become a popular dish during the festive season. This dish is not only flavorful but also low in fat and easy to prepare. With just a few ingredients and a simple recipe, you can create a delicious and unique dish for your family meals. The savory pickled pig's ears offer a distinct taste that is sure to be a hit at the table.
6. Boiled Green Vegetables
After enjoying rich and heavy Tet dishes, boiled vegetables, rich in fiber, are the perfect remedy for digestive issues. These simple dishes can help you restore balance and improve digestion. Steamed or boiled greens such as water spinach, various cabbages, okra, and broccoli are great options. For extra flavor, you can add a bit of vinegar oil dressing, or pair them with a dip made of fish sauce, garlic, and chili for a savory kick. This light, nutritious dish is a great way to refresh your palate and stabilize your health after a festive feast.
7. Snail Noodle Soup
Snail noodle soup, or bún ốc, is a beloved dish among many. The soul of this dish lies in its clear, aromatic broth that combines the sweetness of the snail soup with a hint of ginger and chili for a slight kick. The snails, sourced from freshwater rocks, are carefully prepared to be both tender and crunchy, ensuring there’s no unpleasant smell. Combined with soft, chewy noodles made from 100% rice and an assortment of fragrant herbs, this dish is a perfect choice for a post-Tet detox. On a chilly Tet day, a hot bowl of bún ốc is a real treat. Aside from snail noodle soup, you can also try dishes like bún bò (beef noodle soup), bún riêu (crab noodle soup), or pho for a light, non-fattening meal that still satisfies.
8. Sweet and Sour Pickled Chicken Feet
When it comes to light and flavorful dishes, sweet and sour pickled chicken feet is a traditional favorite, especially during the Tet holidays. The chicken feet are carefully cleaned and boiled with lemongrass and ginger, giving them a subtle fragrant aroma. This dish combines the richness of the pickled sauce with the natural crunch of the chicken feet, making it a perfect treat for any occasion.
9. Grilled Fish in Foil
One of the most beloved dishes for Tet celebrations is grilled fish in foil. This dish is the perfect answer when the family craves something light and different after indulging in heavy meats like pork, chicken, and beef. The fish, wrapped in foil with fresh vegetables and infused with the rich taste of fish sauce, is a mouthwatering and irresistible treat. Plus, it’s incredibly simple to prepare, and the grilling process doesn't take too long.
10. Pickled Bean Sprouts
Pickled bean sprouts (or pickled garlic chives) are a refreshing and crispy side dish often enjoyed during Tet. The bean sprouts are soaked in a tangy-sweet brine, which also contains fresh garlic chives and julienned carrots, with a slight sharpness from red onions. This crunchy, flavorful dish pairs wonderfully with traditional Tet foods like braised pork or sticky rice cakes, making it an irresistible addition to any meal.
Ingredients:
- 500g bean sprouts
- 1 carrot (julienned)
- 200g garlic chives
- 5 chili peppers (sliced)
- 3 shallots (sliced)
- Salt, sugar, vinegar
Instructions:
- Step 1: Trim the garlic chives, wash them well, and set them aside. Cut them into 2-inch lengths. Peel the carrot, wash it, and cut it into thin strips. Clean the bean sprouts, removing any bad parts, then rinse them thoroughly. Peel and finely chop the garlic, or use a food processor to mince it. Peel the ginger and rinse it well. Remove the stems from the chilies.
- Step 2: In a mortar, crush the ginger and chilies, then add the minced garlic, 4 teaspoons of lemon juice, 3 teaspoons of salt, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Mix well and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the bean sprouts, carrots, and garlic chives. Gently toss everything together. Slowly pour the seasoning mixture over the vegetables, stirring carefully to ensure an even coating. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary to avoid making it too salty. Transfer the pickled mixture into a jar with a tight-fitting lid and let it sit for at least half a day before serving.
11. Pickled Shallots for Tet
Shallots, known in traditional medicine as “Thong Bach”, have a pungent, warming nature. They are believed to promote the flow of energy, expel toxins, improve blood circulation, and even alleviate joint pain caused by coldness. This is why, in the old days, people often paired pickled shallots with fatty pork during Tet, as a remedy to help with digestion. The probiotics from the fermentation process break down tough cellulose and sugars in food, making it easier to digest. Pickled shallots not only preserve food but also promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Additionally, the antioxidants in pickled shallots help combat harmful free radicals in the body, which can contribute to heart disease, cancer, and premature aging.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg shallots
- 70g salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
Instructions:
- First, gently cut off the shallot roots, peel away the outer layers, and wash them thoroughly. Let the shallots drain in a colander.
- Next, combine water, sugar, and salt in a pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the slightly cooled brine. Place the cleaned shallots in a jar and pour the brine over them, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- For the best flavor, allow the shallots to pickle for 7 to 10 days. You may need to wait a little longer if the weather is cold or the shallots are older, as this allows them to absorb the brine more deeply, enhancing the flavor.
- After 7 to 10 days, remove the shallots and soak them briefly in a weak salt solution to extend their shelf life and prevent them from becoming mushy.
- Before serving, peel off the outer skin, trim the tops and roots, and mix the shallots with a pinch of chili powder for a vibrant look.
12. Sour Clam Soup
After the heavy, fatty meals of Tet, a bowl of refreshing sour soup will be the perfect way to restore balance to your diet and reduce any post-Tet fatigue. The sour, refreshing taste of this dish will help cleanse the palate after days of indulgence. A simple and delicious clam soup with pineapple is a family favorite during the holiday season. You can also prepare other types of sour soups for Tet, such as fish sour soup, shrimp sour soup, or sour soup with various vegetables like banana blossom or bitter melon.
Ingredients:
- 1kg clams
- Shallots, green onions
- 2 tomatoes
- Herbs: Vietnamese coriander, basil, and cilantro
- Seasonings: Salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), pepper, fish sauce, etc.
Instructions:
- Clean the clams thoroughly and place them in a pot. Add enough water to cover the clams and bring it to a boil. Once the clams open, turn off the heat and discard the shells. Separate the clam meat from the broth.
- While boiling the clams, wash and cut the tomatoes, herbs, and pineapple into bite-sized pieces. In a pan, heat some oil and sauté the shallots until fragrant. Add the chopped tomatoes and clam meat, stir-fry for a few minutes, and add a pinch of seasoning. Stir over low heat to avoid burning; you can add some clam broth to prevent the pan from burning.
- Cover and cook for 1-2 minutes until the tomatoes soften. Transfer this mixture to the clam broth, simmer for 7-8 minutes over low heat. Then add the pineapple and cook for another 5 minutes before turning off the heat. Finally, add the herbs and green onions into the soup and stir well before serving.
13. Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup
During Tet, people often focus on meats, fish, and sweet treats, leaving vegetables and soups aside. However, a bowl of stuffed bitter melon soup will not only surprise everyone but also help cleanse the palate after days of rich foods. This dish is symbolic of leaving behind the struggles of the old year and welcoming the prosperity of the new year. The bitter melon’s natural bitterness is a medicinal herb that cools the body, detoxifies, and treats skin issues like rashes and pimples.
Ingredients:
- 3 bitter melons
- 300g lean pork
- Coriander, spring onions, shallots
- Wood ear mushrooms
- Seasonings: Seasoning powder, MSG, pepper, fish sauce
Instructions:
- Clean the bitter melons, cut off the ends, then slit down the middle and carefully remove the seeds with a spoon. Soak in a saltwater solution for 10 minutes, rinse, and set aside.
- Separate the green onion leaves, blanch them briefly in boiling water, then place them in cold water to retain their color.
- Soak the wood ear mushrooms in warm water for 5 minutes, then rinse, remove the stems, and finely chop them.
- Rinse the pork, drain, and slice thinly. Mince the shallots, garlic, and pepper. Clean the enoki mushrooms, if using, and set aside.
- In a mortar, combine the pork, garlic, shallots, pepper, MSG, and a pinch of salt. Grind everything together to form a smooth paste for stuffing into the bitter melon.
- Bring 2 liters of water to a boil, add the stuffed bitter melons and wood ear mushrooms. Once the water comes back to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 1-2 hours, until the bitter melons are tender.
