A spring roll is a Vietnamese appetizer that consists of a thin sheet of rice paper wrapped around ingredients that include fresh herbs, lettuce, seafood, and vegetables. Today, the dish is popular throughout Southeast Asia and has become one of Vietnam’s most celebrated culinary exports. Spring rolls are believed to have originated in China, where they were called chunjuan. The dish made its way to Vietnam during the 17th century when Chinese immigrants brought it with them as a means of survival.
The uniqueness of Vietnamese cuisine
Vietnamese cuisine is known for being fresh, flavorful, and healthy. Vegetables are often eaten cooked or raw with dipping sauces and tossed into noodle dishes. Vietnamese cooking places emphasis on fresh ingredients; very little cooking is involved—often just quick stir-frying or steaming. Leafy greens and fish are eaten at least once a day. It is often described as “fusion,” combining influences from China, France, and other Southeast Asian countries. But it also has a distinctly Vietnamese character. The extensive use of dipping sauces, which accompany every dish, is among the characteristic features of Vietnamese cuisine. These sauces are made from a variety of ingredients including fish sauce and soy sauce—or vinegar. The cuisine is also characterized by the use of fresh herbs, such as mint and cilantro, which are often used as garnishes. Dishes are typically served with rice, which is considered the most important food in the country. The Vietnamese eat their meals with chopsticks, but Western-style utensils are also available.
Here in the Philippines, Filipinos love Vietnamese cuisine. Vietnamese dishes like Pho soup and pho noodles, spring rolls, and Bánh mì are what easily comes to mind when talking about this Asian cuisine. Though there are local restaurants in Manila serving Vietnamese dishes, the best place to try and enjoy it is in Em Ha Noi, Manila where they serve delicious crowd-favorites like spring rolls, corn ribs, and Banh Trang mushroom among many other Vietnamese dishes. These savory dishes are best enjoyed alone as a treat to yourself. You can also invite your family and friends so you can share delectable and large servings of Vietnamese dishes and have a gastronomic trip to Vietnam.
Vietnamese spring roll is a culinary favorite worldwide
Vietnamese Spring Roll is one of the most trending Asian street foods today for their fresh and healthy ingredients. The spring roll is a popular snack in Vietnam, where it is often eaten for breakfast or lunch. The dish can be found at street-side food stalls throughout the country, but it is especially prevalent in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It is also served at many Vietnamese restaurants outside the country, including those in Europe and North America.
Vietnamese spring rolls are popular worldwide, especially in the U.S. and France. They’re made with fresh vegetables and healthy ingredients like rice paper, shrimp, pork belly, and herbs. The dipping sauce they come with (nước chấm) is also healthy because it’s made from fish sauce, lime juice, and chili flakes. You can enjoy them as an appetizer, side dish, or main course depending on your appetite!
Vietnamese spring rolls come in many different forms.
In Vietnam, there are at least two different types of spring rolls called bún chả or “rice noodles wrapped in rice paper and served with herbs and vegetables” and bún quảng or “rice vermicelli with shrimp wrapped in rice paper”.
Bún chả is made from rice noodles, herbs, and vegetables wrapped in a sheet of moistened dried rice paper. The dish is served with sweet fish sauce (mực nước chua) to dip into as you eat. This is the more popular version of spring rolls in the Philippines. Bún quảng has been described as being similar to the Chinese version of spring rolls but deep-fried instead. It consists of julienned pork or chicken meat that has been marinated overnight before cooking; fresh rice vermicelli (bánh phù); carrots; cucumbers; lettuce leaves; bean sprouts; mint leaves—and sometimes banana flowers—that are rolled together around sliced shallots garnished with coriander sprigs then deep fried until crispy golden brown before serving chilled.
The ingredients are not only tasty but also nutritious. They are low in fat and calories, and high in fiber and micronutrients, including iron and calcium. The freshness of the ingredients is what makes them so popular.
Spring rolls are a great appetizer for parties or simple dinners at home.
Spring rolls are a great appetizer for parties or simple dinners at home. They can be served as an appetizer or as a main course, depending on the occasion. There are many ways to serve them: in lettuce wraps, with rice noodles and vegetables, as lettuce wrap tacos—there’s plenty of room for creativity with spring rolls!
One thing that makes spring rolls so versatile is that they can be served with a variety of sauces like sweet and sour sauce, sweet chili sauce (like this one), or hoisin sauce (another favorite).
If you’ve never had the chance to savor Vietnamese cuisine, now’s the time! Visit Em Ha Noi on your own or invite friends and family for a great time enjoying delicious Vietnamese food during your get together.
