Do Not Store Bánh Chưng in the Fridge: Keep It Fresh and Soft with This Method

Many people wonder whether to store bánh chưng in the refrigerator or freezer.

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In fact, it is not recommended to store banh chung in the refrigerator as the cake will become frozen and hard. This phenomenon is commonly known as rice freezing.

Normally, banh chung can be stored at room temperature for 3-5 days, and the time will decrease when the weather is hot or humid.

With vacuum sealing, banh chung can be preserved for 5-10 days under normal conditions. Meanwhile, storing it in the fridge can extend the shelf life to 15-20 days.

If you cannot finish eating all the banh chung, you can store it in the freezer. However, when thawing the cake, it is best to slowly thaw it in the fridge and then steam or reheat it to prevent it from becoming soggy.

In January, the weather is usually hot and humid, which creates a suitable environment for bacteria and mold to grow. Since banh chung is a high-moisture food that contains meat and fat, eating spoiled or moldy banh chung can cause stomachaches, diarrhea, or food poisoning.

Here are some tips for storing banh chung:

If there are white molds or signs of fermentation with a sour smell at the corners of the cake, it’s because the packaging is damaged, providing an opportunity for mold to grow. In this case, you should remove the fermented part. The remaining part that is not spoiled will still retain its normal delicious taste.

Due to the hot and humid weather in our country, especially during Tet holiday, it is recommended to adjust the temperature in the refrigerator to around 5-10 degrees Celsius if you want to store banh chung in it. If you store it in the freezer, the temperature should be below 3 degrees Celsius.

How to reheat banh chung using a rice cooker:

Today, besides cooking rice, a small and compact rice cooker at home has many other miraculous uses. In this article, Cleanipedia would like to share a simple and time-saving tip on how to reheat banh chung using a rice cooker.

Step 1: Prepare a steam rack that comes with the rice cooker. If you don’t have one, you can easily find and buy a separate steam rack on online shopping websites. Make sure to measure the diameter of the inner pot of the rice cooker to choose a suitable steam rack.

Step 2: Remove the banana leaf wrapping from the hot banh chung.

Step 3: Pour water into the inner pot of the rice cooker, filling it up to one-third of its volume.

Step 4: Place the unwrapped banh chung on the steam rack. Then, put the steam rack into the inner pot of the rice cooker and cover it with the lid.

Step 5: If you have a smart rice cooker, simply select the “steam” mode and adjust the time accordingly. Wait until the banh chung is heated, and it’s done. If you have a traditional rice cooker, turn it on to start cooking. After the indicator light switches from “Cook” to “Warm,” wait for about 10 minutes, then open the lid and enjoy the delicious banh chung.

If you don’t want to eat banh chung, you can try making fried banh chung:

Ingredients:

250g banh chung (or banh tet)

20ml cooking oil

30g pickled onions

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut the cake

After unwrapping the banh chung, you can use a string to divide it into 8 pieces.

Step 2: Fry the cake

Heat a pan on the stove, add about one tablespoon of cooking oil, and spread it evenly. Once the oil is hot, place the pieces of banh chung into the pan and start frying.

Make sure to flip the cake when one side becomes golden and crispy. Continue frying until all sides are evenly crispy.

Step 3: Finish

When the cake is crispy, remove it from the pan and place it on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. This frying method gives the banh chung a crispy outer layer while maintaining the soft and moist texture inside, characteristic of banh chung.

The best time to enjoy fried banh chung is when it is still hot. You can serve it with pickled onions or a drizzle of cooking oil to enhance the flavor.

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Frequently asked questions

Storing Banh Chung in the fridge can dry out the sticky rice and make the cake hard and less tasty. It is best to keep it at room temperature and consume it within a few days, or use other methods to preserve its freshness.

To keep Banh Chung fresh and soft, you can try this method: Prepare a pot with a lid, some cotton towels or cloth, and a small bowl. Place the Banh Chung in the pot and cover it with a layer of damp cloth or towel. Put the small bowl upside down in the pot, and fill it with water. Close the lid and store it at room temperature. This method helps to maintain the moisture and softness of the cake.

Banh Chung can last for about 4-5 days at room temperature if properly stored. However, it is best to consume it within the first 2-3 days for the best taste and texture.

Yes, freezing is an option to extend the shelf life of Banh Chung. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, and store it in a freezer bag. It can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.

To defrost Banh Chung, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw slowly in the refrigerator overnight. For reheating, you can steam it for about 15-20 minutes to regain its softness and warmth.