Tet, or the Lunar New Year, is a time for warm family gatherings and flavorful traditional meals. But do you know how to say the names of Tet dishes in English? In this article, IDP provides a complete list of Tet food names in English to help you expand your vocabulary and confidently introduce Vietnamese culture in your IELTS Speaking test.
1. Origins and Meaning of Tet Dishes
Tet dishes are not just delicious—they also reflect Vietnamese culture, beliefs, and values. For example, square sticky rice cake symbolizes the Earth, while cylindrical sticky rice cake represents the sky. These dishes express gratitude to ancestors and the hope for a prosperous new year. Each traditional dish carries a special meaning and reflects the wishes for health, wealth, and happiness.
2. Common Vietnamese Tet Foods in English
Learning the English names of Tet dishes helps you understand more about Vietnamese cuisine and easily share it with international friends. Below is a vocabulary list of common Tet foods in English:
English Expressions to Describe Cooking Processes
Crafted using [cooking technique], this dish features…
The dish is skillfully prepared through a series of…
To bring this culinary delight to life, [preparation steps] are carefully followed.
Tet Cooking Verbs in English
Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
Prepare | To get ingredients ready | Prepare all the ingredients before cooking the pork. |
Bake | Cook with dry heat in oven | The sticky rice is baked for a crispy texture. |
Roast | Cook with dry heat | Roast the chicken until golden. |
Stir-fry | Cook quickly in a hot pan | Stir-fry bamboo shoots with garlic. |
Mix | Combine ingredients | Mix pickled onions with vinegar and sugar. |
Cook | Prepare food with heat | Cook sticky rice until fully absorbed. |
Grill | Cook over direct heat | Grill the pork skewers until slightly charred. |
Steam | Cook with steam | Steam the sticky rice cake for several hours. |
Blend | Make smooth or pureed | Blend mung beans into a paste for filling. |
Slice | Cut into thin pieces | Slice the pork sausage into thin rounds. |
Simmer | Cook gently over low heat | Simmer the broth with bamboo and pork bones. |
Fry | Cook in hot oil | Fry the spring rolls until golden. |
Marinate | Soak in seasoning | Marinate the pork for at least 30 minutes. |
Grate | Shred into small pieces | Grate carrots for pickled vegetables. |
Chop | Cut into small pieces | Chop garlic for the braised pork dish. |
Saute | Cook in oil over medium heat | Saute mushrooms before adding to soup. |
Boil | Cook in boiling water | Boil the eggs for braised pork. |
Season | Add flavoring | Season the soup with fish sauce and sugar. |
Dice | Cut into small cubes | Dice the vegetables for the salad. |
Whisk | Beat ingredients | Whisk the egg mixture thoroughly before frying. |
Vietnamese Tet Food Names in English
English Name | Vietnamese Name | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
Square sticky rice cake | Banh chung | Square sticky rice cake is essential for Tet. |
Pickled onion | Hanh muoi | Pickled onions complement savory Tet dishes. |
Pickled scallion head | Cu kieu muoi | Often served with boiled pork during Tet. |
Lean pork pie | Gio lua | Lean pork pie is a common offering on the Tet table. |
Sour meat pie | Nem chua | Sour meat pie is a popular appetizer during Tet. |
Jellied meat | Thit dong | Typically enjoyed cold during winter Tet meals. |
Spring rolls | Cha gio | Crispy spring rolls are filled with pork and vegetables. |
Sweet and sour grated salad | Nom chua ngot | A refreshing side dish for heavy meals. |
Dried bamboo shoot soup | Canh mang | A signature Tet soup in many Vietnamese homes. |
Beef jerky | Thit bo kho | Served as a Tet snack or with drinks. |
Pig trotter | Chan gio lon | Stewed for tenderness and flavor. |
Chinese sausage | Lap xuong | Adds sweetness and richness to various dishes. |
Pork-stuffed bitter melon soup | Canh kho qua nhoi thit | A symbolic dish for overcoming hardship. |
Braised pork in coconut with eggs | Thit kho hot vit nuoc dua | A traditional southern Tet dish symbolizing abundance. |
Five fruits plate | Mam ngu qua | Represents prosperity and is used as an altar offering. |
Dried candied fruits | Mut trai cay | A festive snack to welcome guests during Tet. |
Boiled chicken | Ga luoc | Often presented on the ancestral altar. |
Baby jackfruit sticky rice | Xoi gac | A red dish symbolizing luck and celebration. |
Stir-fried mixed vegetables | Rau xao thap cam | A nutritious addition to the Tet feast. |
3. Using Tet Food Vocabulary in IELTS Speaking Topics
IELTS Speaking Part 1 Example
Question: Do you like festivals?
Answer: Definitely. In Vietnam, Tet, or Lunar New Year, is the most important festival. I love the festive atmosphere and especially enjoy the traditional foods like square sticky rice cake and lean pork pie. These dishes remind me of family gatherings and joyful childhood memories.
Vocabulary Highlights:
Definitely
Foremost
Traditional foods
Square sticky rice cake
Lean pork pie
Family reunions
IELTS Speaking Part 2 Example
Topic: Describe a festival that is important in your country.
Sample Answer: Tet, or Lunar New Year, is the most significant festival in Vietnam. It marks the start of the lunar calendar and is a time for family reunions. We prepare many traditional dishes with symbolic meanings. For example, braised pork in coconut juice with eggs is common in southern Vietnam and represents prosperity. Boiled chicken is offered to ancestors. One of my favorites is baby jackfruit sticky rice, a bright red dish thought to bring good luck.
Vocabulary Highlights:
Traditional dishes
Braised pork in coconut juice with eggs
Offering
Master Tet Food Vocabulary in English for IELTS with IDP
This article has equipped you with useful vocabulary for Tet foods in English, helping you better understand Vietnamese culture and express it clearly in your IELTS Speaking test. To prepare effectively for a wide range of IELTS topics, explore IDP’s free practice materials and resources.
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