Preserving rich culture in each detail of the significant life events, the ancestors did create some Vietnamese traditional wedding food
for later generation to learn the meanings and keep the traditions.
Each food on the table represents the special wishes of happiness,
health, and prosperity to the newlyweds. Below are five most typical
dishes on a Vietnamese traditional wedding.
#1: Xoi Gac (a kind of sticky rice cooked with Gac)
“Xoi Gac” has a typical red color which symbolizes the full
happiness. The red color is derived naturally from “Gac” fruit (its
scientific name is Momordica cochinchinensis while its common English
names can be red melon, baby jackfruit, cochinchin gourd, spiny bitter
gourd, or sweet gourd). This food has the fragrant and glutinous taste
of the sticky rice as well as the “Gac” fruit. Added to the completion
is also the green bean paste. According to the ancestor’s belief, “Xoi
Gac” embodies the meaning of the harmonious and beautiful marriage. Not
only does this kind of sticky rice present on the wedding table, but it
is also popular in some festivals and New Year’s Eve, etc. Xoi Gac – A kind of sticky rice
#2: Ga Luoc (the boiled chicken)
The Vietnamese predecessors believed that the boiled chicken could
symbolize the wealth and happiness. Therefore, this food is
indispensable in the menus of traditional weddings in Vietnam.
Also, the boiled chicken brings peace to matrimony which is “cozy
inside and smooth outside.” Nowadays, some locals create other versions
of the chicken food such as grilling or barbecuing or steaming. Whatever
cooking techniques, chicken is an important food on the wedding tables. Ga Luoc – the boiled chicken
#3: Nem (a kind of the crunchy spring rolls)
“Nem” or “Cha Gio” is the favorite food in almost every corner of
Vietnam. The major ingredients include the minced pork, rice vermicelli,
mushroom, egg, spring opinion, bean sprout, etc. All are mixed and
spiced well, and then wrapped with the rice paper. The complex is later
deep-fried in the hot oil pan to create the crispy taste. Rolls of “Nem”
or “Cha Gio” are eye-catching and mouth-watering that attract the
wedding guests, and it is often served as an appetizer – the perfect way
to start the feast. Regarding its long-lasting meanings, this kind of
the crunchy spring rolls means the togetherness to overcome all
difficulties and get the great outcomes. The well-mixture of various
ingredients in the food brings the “With One Accord” meaning that
husband and wife will share the “sweet and sour tastes of life” during
their matrimony. Nem – Vietnamese spring rolls
#4: Thit Kho Tau (Caramelized pork and eggs or braised meat in light sauce)
This is the Vietnamese traditional food including marinated pork and
boiled eggs that are braised in coconut juice. In fact, “Thit Kho Tau”
is the popular dish consumed by many modern Vietnamese families on a
daily basis. But traditionally, the Vietnamese ancestors did want to
include this food in the wedding parties because of its rich meanings of
harmony. It needs skills to choose the pork with meat and fat of the
appropriate degrees, reflecting the “harmony of the family.” About the
boiled eggs, they are not cut while braising; this means the full
happiness. Thit Kho Tau – Caramelized pork and eggs
#5: Gio Cha (a kind of sausage)
On the wedding trays, “Gio Cha” slices will be grouped in the star
shapes of eight or ten which means luck. The arrangement of the sausage
slices nearby each other can remind of the conjugal life, loyalty, and
harmony that the new bride and groom should respect. Slice by slice, the
sausages function well as the great traditional Vietnamese wedding reception food, together with the rolls of “Nem” which are displayed on the same plates. Gio Cha – traditional Vietnamese wedding reception food
Though modern weddings might have some different Vietnamese food, the five above are most typical based on the traditional concepts. Each food is meaningful and worth trying!
Comments
Post a Comment