How To Roll the Perfect Vietnamese Spring Roll

You come to a Vietnamese sit down restaurant and ordered spring rolls, you are surprised to learn it's do it yourself... what to do? Let us show you!

Dip the rice paper in water, let it set and slightly dry before placing ingredients on. For the herbs, take only the leaves.

For best results, layer the ingredients. Not only will it give you a pretty presentation, it makes and easier tighter roll

Start at the bottom, tuck and roll tight as you go. Don't put too many ingredients, it will burst. Midway fold the two sides in and continue to tuck and roll. If the rice paper is still wet it won't stick so best to let it dry slightly before rolling.

If paper becomes too dry it will be hard, wet the hard part (nothing worst than eating a hard spring roll)

BASIC SPRING ROLL INGREDIENTS

You can learn step by step instructions here on how to make spring rolls. The following contains suggested other fillings that allows for creativity but still remain authentically Vietnamese. (Ahem please no carrots or celery, they don't belong here =)

INGREDIENTS

Rice paper roll
Protein: Grilled or boiled: pork, shrimp, beef, squid, mushrooms, tofu, shredded pork skin with toasted rice powder, pork patties sausages, chicken, fish.
Veggies: cucumbers, lettuce
Fruit: Green apple and certain types of bananas you can eat unripened.
Noodles: Rice vermicelli noodle is most common (bun, not pho noodles!) , but you can be creative and add the shirataki noodles for a low carb option.
Fresh Herbs: cilantro, culantro, vietnamese egg mint, fish scale mint, perilla leaves, basil, mint are most common. Avoid "western" herbs like oregano or thyme etc, they do not taste right.

TIPS AND TRICKS

Using hot water to dip the rice paper yields best results. Makes it more pliable and soft
Use plastic plates with holes meant for spring rolls (found at most asian stores) they prevent sticking when rolling
Layer your ingredients starting with noodles first like the picture above for the most presentable roll.
Best to make and eat as you go. For leftovers like in a spring roll party tray, see our blog on how to reheat spring rolls