The cultural life of the Khmer people in Soc Trang is not only limited to festival customs but is also diverse with many unique culinary dishes.
Bánh gừng aka Gingerbread of the Khmer people of Soc Trang is one of the indispensable offerings to ancestors on important Tet holidays. Thanks to the skillful hands of the Khmer people, cakes with attractive flavors have been created.
History
The Khmer people call it “Num-khơ-nhây” because this bread is shaped like ginger. For Khmer people in the Mekong Delta, gingerbread is always present on important occasions such as engagements and weddings. In addition, gingerbread of the Khmer people of Soc Trang is a delicacy during solemn holidays such as Vietnamese traditional Tet.
According to legend, the origin of gingerbread comes from the story of a woman named Nai Chrao Cho Pho. While waiting for her husband, Nai Chrao Cho Pho created gingerbread, then she sat on the rock, was eating and waiting until her body turned into a rock. To commemorate Nai Chrao Cho Pho, Khmer people use gingerbread in wedding ceremonies to wish for the couple’s strength and faithful bond.
Specialties
To have delicious and crispy gingerbread, bakers often choose large, opaque white glutinous rice flour, then mix it with eggs and a little wine yeast.
The kneading step is also important, the dough mixture is carefully kneaded thoroughly until it no longer sticks to the hands. They are made into ginger shapes and then deep-fried until yellow like honey. After the cakes are fried, they are rolled in a layer of sugar, creating an eye-catching white “coat”, and finally, they are dried in the sun.
Gingerbread has the crunchiness mixed with the fatty taste of eggs, the sweetness of sugar, and the faint scent of wine that attracts all senses.
Main ingredient
– Glutinous rice flour
– Chicken eggs, wine yeast
– Sugar
The spiritual value of this cake in Khmer festivals
According to Khmer customs, on important occasions such as Sene Dolta Soc Trang Ceremony, Chol Chnam Thmay Tet, traditional New Year, and weddings… gingerbread must be present on the ancestral altar.
According to their beliefs, ginger has many branches that represent strong attachment and proliferation. This is a blessing for the family to be prosperous, happy and develop many branches like ginger.
In traditional Khmer weddings, the presence of gingerbread symbolizes fidelity as a wish for the couple. Normally, gingerbread will be placed between “bánh tét cốm dẹt” and “bánh gang tay”. They believe that bánh tét represents men, bánh gang tay represents women, and the gingerbread is placed in the middle with the meaning of yin and yang harmony.
Recommend some places to enjoy
Visitors can buy Khmer gingerbread at many stalls or markets in Soc Trang.
If you are looking for a delicious and authentic Vietnamese dish, Bánh gừng is a great option. It is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone.
Get an opportunity to enjoy wonderful Vietnamese cuisine through Vietnam E-Visa!