When embarking on a Vietnam travel adventure, one culinary experience that should not be missed is immersing oneself in the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival foods. This vibrant festival, deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, offers a delightful array of flavors and delicacies that will satisfy every traveler in their Asia travel itinerary.
1. Mooncakes – the best Mid-Autumn Festival foods
Mooncake is an indispensable culinary delight of the Mid-Autumn Festival. It not only carries the essence of this festive occasion but also holds a special place in the hearts of celebrants. Its round shape, like the full moon, symbolizes family reunion. Some famous variations of mooncakes that you can indulge in include Baked mooncakes, Snow skin mooncakes, and Jelly mooncakes.
2. What to eat on Mid-Autumn Festival? – Dishes from taro
Taro is an essential and lucky ingredient of Mid-Autumn Festival food in Vietnam. It is often mashed and mixed with other ingredients to make fillings for mooncakes or other dishes like taro soup, taro salad, and taro sweet soup. Mooncakes with taro have a unique and appealing flavor, making them a favorite during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
3. Dishes from green rice flakes
Green rice flakes are the main ingredient for green sticky rice, a delightful delicacy among flavorful Mid-Autumn Festival foods. After being finely shredded or sliced, coconut is mixed with white sugar over low heat. Green beans are soaked for half a day, steamed until tender, mashed, and then mixed with green rice flakes. Other must-try dishes made from green rice flakes include minced meat patties and green sticky rice cake, featuring a unique combination of chewiness, fragrance, and sweetness.
4. Dishes from grapefruit – one of the top Mid-Autumn Festival foods
As a distinctive Mid-Autumn Festival fruit, grapefruit is a key component of any traditional fruit offering tray. With its natural sweetness, tangy flavor, and refreshing taste, this fruit is also a perfect ingredient for delectable appetizers like grapefruit salad, grapefruit sweet soup, and candied grapefruit peel. Most grapefruit salads are closely associated with the significance of togetherness, evoking a desire for family unity.
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5. Dishes from snails
The Mid-Autumn Festival feast is never complete without snail dishes. During this time, the snails are plump, meaty, and clean. Moreover, snails are rich in nutrients such as Vitamin A, which promotes good vision. So, do not miss out on delicious dishes made from snails, such as stir-fried snails and steamed Snails, during this festive occasion.
6. Dishes from lotus root – among signature foods for the Mid-Autumn Festival
Lotus root holds a special place in the Mid-Autumn Festival, symbolizing good luck, the fulfillment of wishes, and family unity. This versatile ingredient can be made into delightful dishes like lotus root salad and stir-fried lotus root, boasting a deliciously sweet flavor that enhances family meals and tantalizes taste buds.
7. Rice ball sweet soup – among traditional Mid-Autumn Festival foods
Rice ball sweet soup offers small glutinous rice balls filled with mung bean paste served in a delightful ginger-infused syrup. This dessert, known for its soft and chewy texture, is a cherished delicacy among the various Mid-Autumn Festival foods, bringing joy and warmth to family gatherings.
8. Watermelon – a suggestion for a family gathering meal
Watermelon, as part of Mid-Autumn Festival foods, is both a delightful and culturally significant choice. With its refreshing taste and vibrant red color, watermelon symbolizes good fortune and prosperity, perfectly embodying the festive spirit.
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9. Duck – an unmissable dish for the Mid-Autumn Festival dinner menu
If you are wondering what to eat during the Mid-Autumn Festival, duck can be a fantastic ingredient to prepare delicious and nutritious dishes. It symbolizes the desire for good luck and fortune. Moreover, during this time, ducks are plumper and their meat is more tender.
10. Hairy crab – one of the tastiest Mid-Autumn Festival foods
Fall is the best time to enjoy hairy crab, which boasts optimal flavor and quality, making it a special and seasonal delicacy among the wide variety of Mid-Autumn Festival foods. Eating hairy crabs during this occasion is also believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
11. Foods for Mid-Autumn Festival made from pumpkins
Pumpkin is a nutritious and versatile ingredient, rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It can be prepared into various delicious dishes, such as pumpkin soup, steamed pumpkin, or pumpkin desserts, adding flavors and colors to this festive season. People believe that eating pumpkins during the Mid-Autumn Festival can bring health, prosperity, and good luck.
12. Pear – one of the must-have Mid-Autumn Festival fruits
Pears hold significant cultural meaning in many East Asian cultures, particularly during the Mid-Autumn Festival. From a symbolic perspective, pears represent unity and familial love. They are also known for their natural sweetness and distinctive aroma, making them a fantastic ingredient for creating delicious desserts during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
13. What to eat during Mid-Autumn Festival? – Pomegranates
Pomegranate, one of the quintessential Vietnamese fruits, is a cherished ingredient among Mid-Autumn Festival foods. Its vibrant red color and juicy arils make a delightful addition to the festival's culinary traditions. Beyond its visual allure, pomegranates offer various health benefits, while their sweet and tangy taste adds a refreshing element to the festive ambiance.
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Hoi An Ancient Town, Hanoi Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang are renowned as vibrant destinations to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam. These places offer a festive ambiance with stunning street decorations, traditional art performances, and various treats that epitomize the spirit of this special occasion.
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Mid-Autumn Festival foods hold a special place in the hearts of Vietnamese people for their delectable flavors and symbolic meaning. These traditional dishes symbolize unity and abundance, reflecting the values of togetherness and prosperity during this time of the year. Whether it is a mooncake with its sweet and fragrant fillings or a savory dish filled with rich and flavorful ingredients, each bite is a journey of culinary delight.
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