In each Chinese community, from mainland China to Singapore and Malaysia, Tet cake and jam trays are both similar and different, reflecting history, taste and local identity.
In China, Tet snacks are closely associated with agricultural life and traditional beliefs. Winter melon jam is one of the most popular dishes. Thanks to its long shelf life, winter melon was once very suitable for preparing for Tet in ancient times.
When braised with sugar until crystal clear, covered with a layer of white sugar on the outside, this Tet jam becomes a symbol of the wish for a "sweet start" to the new year.
Lotus seed jam also has a profound meaning. Lotus flowers have long symbolized purity, proliferation and family cohesion. The thin silk fibers in the lotus root, even when cut, are still linked, considered an image of cohesion between generations. Therefore, lotus seeds often appear in the Tet cake trays of families wishing for many children and grandchildren, and a long-lasting family.
Another almost indispensable dish is watermelon seeds. Since the Ming - Qing dynasties, watermelon seeds have become popular during Tet. In addition to the meaning of reproduction and many children and grandchildren, separating watermelon seeds together also has a clear social value: Slow, community-oriented, very suitable for long conversations at the beginning of the year.
However, if a person from China comes to Singapore or Malaysia to celebrate Tet, they may be surprised by many "strange" cakes and jams, and even question whether they are really Chinese Tet dishes.
In fact, Tet in Singapore and Malaysia reflects the intersection between original traditions and indigenous history.
The most typical are bak kwa dried meat and pineapple cakes. Bak kwa originated from meat preservation techniques in Fujian and the Chaoshan region (Guangdong), where pork is marinated and dried for gradual use.
When going to Southeast Asia, the processing method changed: The meat is grilled on charcoal instead of sun-dried, the sweetness is richer. As a result, the dried meat pieces are shiny, fragrant, and rich, becoming a "must-have" dish every Tet occasion.
In folk beliefs, bak kwa symbolizes wealth and generosity, because meat used to be a luxury food.
Pineapple cakes have completely different origins. They were born in the context of Southeast Asia during the colonial period, when European cake making techniques were introduced. Gradually, pineapple cakes were "Tetized" thanks to the wordplay in Fujian: "Pineapple" pronounced almost like "good luck comes". From then on, the small cake became a wish for wealth at the beginning of the year.
