frequent asked questions about our event

frequently asked questions

faqs about our los angeles-area event

When is the Los Angeles-area Banh Chung Collective event?

This year’s event will be on Saturday, February 17, 2024. When you purchase your ticket, you will have your choice of either a 10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. entry time.

Where is the event, and is there parking?

The event will be held outdoors at Alma Backyard Farms, 801 E Redondo Beach Blvd, Compton, behind St.Albert the Great Church. There is plenty of nearby street parking.

What if it rains?

We’ll have tents! If it is a substantial amount of rain, however, the event will be rescheduled. We will keep you posted via email.

What will happen on the day of the event?

When you arrive at Alma Backyard Farms, you’ll receive ingredients and supplies to make 4 banh chung. Experienced teachers will show you how to assemble the banh cung. After, we’ll have a light lunch together, then you’ll take your banh chung home. Note that you will need to cook the banh chung at home — we will provide all the instructions on how to cook them once you’re home.

I’ve never cooked banh chung before! Can’t you cook it for me? If not, how do I cook them in my kitchen?

It takes a a little bit of time to steam the banh chung, and we simply don’t have the time or the equipment to cook everyone’s banh chung on-site. But don’t worry! It’s very simple to cook them at home. You don’t need anything more than a stockpot or pressure cooker (like an Instant Pot), and we will provide all the instructions for cooking the banh chung.

What is in the banh chung? Is it vegan?

The ingredients to make banh chung are sweet rice, marinated pork belly or red beans and coconut (vegan), mung bean-shallot paste, and banana leaves. When you purchase your ticket, you will be able to select either the meat or red beans/coconut (vegan) filling.

Are tickets refundable?

Preparing the ingredients for the event is a multi-day process that requires significant planning and labor. For that reason, tickets are refundable up to February 7, 2024. After February 7, 2024, all sales are final and tickets will not be refunded.

faqs about our bay area event + online class

How does this whole thing work?

Kits with everything you need to make bánh chưng will be available from Noodle Girl, with pickup at La Cocina in San Francisco. Each kit also includes a little treat from Noodle Girl and an e-ticket to our online bánh chưng making class on February 17 where we will teach you how to make bánh chưng.

NOTE: Kits will be available for pick up a few days before the class on February 17. Noodle Girl Restaurant will reach out to you directly to coordinate pickup times and dates.

What is included in each kit?

Ingredients and supplies to make 4 bánh chưng and a signature Lunar New Year dish from Noodle Girl Restaurant. Please refer to the ticket page for more details.

Do you have any vegan options?

There will be two options for the bánh chưng kit:

PORK: includes sweet rice, mung bean-shallot paste, and pork
VEGAN: includes sweet rice and vegan mung bean-shallot paste

When can I pick it up my kit?

You’ll pick up the kit sometime during the week before the class. Noodle Girl Restaurant will be in touch with the exact details. Please reach out directly to Noodle Girl (catering at noodlegirlrestaurant dot com) with any questions.

When is the online class?

The online class will be at 10 a.m. on February 17.

I ordered a kit but changed my mind. Can I get a refund?

No, sorry! All sales are final and we do not offer any refunds. Preparing and assembling the kits is a multi-day process that requires significant planning and preparation from our restaurant partner. We believe it is important that our partner is compensated for their work.

I don’t live in the Bay Area, but would love to get my own ingredients and join the online class! Can I?

Currently, this class is only for those who can pick up the kits at Noodle Girl, but if there’s sufficient demand, we’ll organize another online class for anyone who would like to get their own ingredients and supplies. If you are interested in this option, please let us know and follow us on Instagram for updates.

Where is the link to the class?

On the morning of class, Eventbrite will send you an email with instructions to log onto your Eventbrite account. From there, you’ll be able to access the Zoom link and join the class.

I don’t know how to use Zoom!

That’s ok! For a primer, see here.

What will happen on class day?

Hang Truong from Noodle Girl will start the class with a demo of the technique she uses to make bánh chưng. After, it’ll be your turn to make bánh chưng, with guidance from Hang all the way!

What if I'm late or have to leave early?

No problem! Join us when you can, and leave when you need to. After class, we will send out a video tutorial, so you will have that to reference as well.

I can’t attend the class :( Will it be recorded?

After class, we will send out a pre-recorded video tutorial that walks you through the bánh chưng making process. To protect everyone’s privacy, a recording of the Zoom class itself will not be sent out.