The origin and meaning of braised pork on Tet. Secrets to cooking delicious braised pork

1 The origin of braised pork with eggs

The dish braised pork with eggs, also known as “thịt kho hột vịt,” has long been a staple on the dining tables of families in the Southern region of Vietnam.

The South, with its warm and sunny weather, has coconut trees growing abundantly with hanging fruits, which enhances the flavor of the braised pork and eggs thanks to the coconut water, making it both light and rich in taste.

When mentioning the phrase “kho tàu,” many people often associate it with the Chinese. However, this dish originates from Vietnamese cuisine without a doubt.

There are many stories passed down about the origin of braised pork with eggs. The most common one is the variation below:

In the past, fishermen would often spend many days and nights out at sea, sometimes even for several months.

Therefore, they had to cook a large pot of braised pork to eat over several days and to have the strength to catch many large fish. From that, this dish was called “braised pork with eggs.”

According to the explanation of writer Bình Nguyên Lộc – a renowned cultural writer of the Southern region during the period of 1945 – 1975, the word “tàu” in the spoken language of the Mekong Delta means “slightly salty and sweet.”

This slight saltiness and sweetness resemble the flavor of the river water of the Cái River, which is also known as Cái Tàu Hạ and Cái Tàu Thượng.

Therefore, we can refer to the dish braised pork with eggs as “braised pork without seasoning.” Because of its subtle flavor, people can enjoy this dish continuously during the Tet holiday while waiting for traditional markets to reopen.

No matter how it is understood, for Vietnamese people in general and Southern people in particular, braised pork with eggs is a simple dish that holds a sacred spiritual value, making it an essential part of the Tet holiday dining table.

2 Meaning of braised pork belly

The most authentic and delicious braised egg pork dish is probably in the South due to the rich natural ingredients.

Pork is usually belly meat (or other cuts that have both lean and fat). The meat is cut into large square pieces, while the eggs are big and round, symbolizing “square and round, everything is peaceful”.

Whenever visiting someone’s house, the braised egg pork dish is easily seen on the dining table. People enjoy their meal while chatting warmly, making the atmosphere of Tet cozy, warm, and joyful. This is a sign of a prosperous, smooth new year filled with blessings.

The braised meat pieces are soft with the translucent white of the fat and the deep red of the lean meat, the light brown of the tender pork skin, and the golden, glistening caramel sauce.

The boiled eggs are soft, with a creamy yolk. Accompanied by the sweet taste of young coconut water, the rich salty flavor of good fish sauce, and the spicy kick of red chili slices, all blend together to create an unforgettable taste in the mouth of the taster.

The people in the South often joke that: the flavors of life are like a pot of braised pork belly.

It must have all the flavors: spicy (from chili) – bitter (from caramel) – salty (from fish sauce) – sweet (from sugar) for it to be life.

Just as one must go through many hardships and struggles to achieve sweet results.

3 Secrets to cooking tender and delicious braised pork

Here are a few tips to make your braised pork rich and aromatic for a cozy Tet celebration:

• You should choose a piece of meat with a balanced ratio of lean and fat; when braised, the meat will be tender and the dish will look more appealing.
• To let the meat absorb the seasonings evenly, you should marinate it for at least 30 minutes.
• Stir until the meat is seared before adding coconut water to cover the meat. Remember to skim off the foam regularly to keep the braising liquid clear and delicious.
• Only add the boiled and peeled duck eggs when the meat is nearly tender. This way, the eggs won’t break and become hard.
• You can also replace duck eggs with chicken eggs or quail eggs as you prefer.
• To enjoy braised pork for several days while it still tastes fresh, after cooking and cooling, divide it into small portions and store in the freezer. When needed, take out a portion and reheat it.

Reference some delicious braised pork recipes for a fulfilling Tet

Above is the origin and meaning of the dish braised pork, the secret to cooking delicious braised pork. Hope this article is helpful to you. Wishing you a prosperous Tet and a happy Spring.