scissors.paper.wok
  • HOME
  • EAT
    • Mains
    • Salads
    • Condiments
    • Sweets
    • Snacks
    • Drinks
    • Inspiration
    • Recipe Reviews
  • Make
    • Tutorials
    • Inspiration
  • Explore
  • CONTACT
  • RSS
All, Eat, Mains, Recipes 18

My Favourite Meal… Vietnamese Wrap (a recipe)

By Kimanh · On September 7, 2011

vietnamese wrap, fresh spring rolls, summer rolls recipe

When people ask what my favourite dish is, my answer has always been the same since I was a little girl – vietnamese wrap. No dish has taken its place, and no dish has been adapted so well to my dietary needs as it has changed over the years. I have so much love for this dish.

Vietnamese Wrap Recipe - how to roll

Vietnamese wrap is what I’ve called it growing up. It is also known as, ‘fresh spring rolls’, ‘garden rolls’ or, ‘summer rolls’. At its basics, this dish is rice noodles (vermicelli noodles), with a filling of your choice, salad and herbs all wrapped up in rice paper (and don’t forget the dipping sauce!).

I’ve divided this post into three sections; the sauce, the filling, and making the roll.

1. The Sauce – Over the years I’ve made the dipping sauce a variety of ways. At this stage I’ve settled on what I like to call the best and most versatile soy dipping sauce. Why? Because it’s so tasty and can be used in a variety of ways! I use it not only for this dish, but often when dipping sauce is required, for flavouring dishes, and as a seasoning on rice.

Dipping Sauce Recipe (makes 250ml)
50g palm sugar
60ml boiling water
40ml cool water
80ml soy sauce (I use Golden Mountain Seasoning Sauce (use a Thai soy sauce if you can’t find this brand))
70ml lemon juice
1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes (at least) (can use fresh chillies too)
2 garlic cloves (minced)

I suggest making at least half a litre of this sauce at a time. This way you’ll save plenty of time next time round. Start by pouring your hot water over the palm sugar (if you don’t have palm sugar, use brown sugar). If you get the palm sugar in blocks like I do, use a pestle to grind it down until it dissolves in the water to speed up the process. Then add the remaining ingredients. You should put some chilli in as it’s part of the taste, however if you like it hot, add more than what’s suggested.

2. The Filling – In my intro to this post I mentioned that this meal has evolved with my diet over the years. I’m a vegetarian, but am trying to eat as much unrefined foods as I can. A year ago I was eating marinated tofu with this dish, but now I’m using shiitake mushrooms instead. I buy dried shiitake mushrooms in bulk. Not only does it work out a lot cheaper than buying fresh, it’s something that I always have in the pantry and is really easy to work with.

vietnamese wrap filling using shiitake mushrooms, lemongrass, onion, garlic and curry powder

Shiitake Filling Recipe (serves 4)
100g dried shiitake mushrooms
1 med onion
1.5 tbs curry powder
1 lemongrass root (minced)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
2.5 tbs soy sauce
chilli to taste

It’s important to plan ahead when you make this as you need to soak the shiitake for at least 3 hours in room temperature water (overnight is fine). You can use hot water to get the job done faster, but I find the shiitake is a bit rubbery.

Once all your ingredients are ready, use a little oil in a large pan (I use rice bran oil as it has a high smoking point), and cook your onion and garlic. Next, add the rest of your ingredients and stir on high heat for a few minutes. You may need to add a few spoons of water if you think it looks too dry.

3. Vietnamese Wrap – If you’ve made it this far, then welcome to the fun part! Making it! There are still a few more ingredients to pull together, but you’re almost there!

Vietnamese Wrap
Soy Dipping Sauce (served in dipping bowls)
Shiitake Filling
Lettuce – any kind!
Mint – you must have mint. It’s one of the key flavours.
Other herbs – like coriander, chives, whatever you like.
Sorrel – It’s a shame if you can’t get your hands on this as it brings an amazing tangy flavour to the table.
Vermicelli Noodles (Thin white noodle made from rice, sometimes known as rice noodles, or rice sticks) (To cook these pour boiling water over them so that they’re covered and let them sit for about 7 minutes. Try some to see if they are cooked. When they are, rinse under cold water until cool and cut a few times with scissors so the pieces are more manageable.)
Cucumber Sticks
Bean Sprouts
Rice Paper (use the large size, about the size of a dinner plate!)
Crushed Roasted Peanuts

lettuce and herbs for vietnamese spring rollsIf you don’t have all of these ingredients, don’t fret! I think the bare minimum that you can get away with is; noodles, lettuce, cucumber, mint, filling, and sauce.

I’ve made a short video so you can see how it all works and how to roll it. But just incase you like reading, here goes… First grab a rice paper sheet and dip it in a bowl of room temperature water. Make sure both sides are completely wet. There is no need to soak it until it is soft, as this will happen while resting on your plate as you place all the ingredients on the rice paper.

The order that you put the fillings on is entirely optional. However, I like to make sure I start with a large leaf (lettuce or sorrel), and end with a leaf. This will make it easier to roll as it’s easier to stop the filling from spilling out. Place the ingredients at 6 o’clock on your plate (as in, closest to you). It’s important to be firm as you roll to keep the ingredients from falling out while you eat, but gentle enough not to tear the rice paper. You’ll get the hang of it quickly. Fold the bottom edge over the ingredients and pull the ingredients under the rice paper (ok, I think you need to watch the video). Fold the sides in and roll until finished. You can add the roasted peanuts in the roll or in the sauce. Dip the roll into the sauce and munch away. I’ve seen many skeptical faces turn from scepticism to being delightfully surprised with their first mouthful.

(video) How to roll the wrap… check it out!

I’ve observed many a newbie roll their first wrap and have been thoroughly amused at the not so great, and the sometimes perfect rolls! If you don’t get rolling the wrap the first time round, don’t give up or be disheartened – you’ll get there! What you’re aiming for is a clean plate by the time you’re finished eating your roll – that’s when you know you’ve got the technique down pat.

Oh, and just a note, this is NOT a burrito! Start with just a little filling. This will help you get the hang of it! (I eat around 6… okay probably 7 rolls each time! (but I don’t over fill mine so I can make/eat more!))

Do you also love this meal? It can look a bit strange to those who have never had it before. So if you’re already a fan, leave your best comment below to encourage others to introduce themselves to this wonderful dish!

Any questions let me know! Kimanh x

Share Tweet

Kimanh

Hi my name's Kimanh. I blog about stuff I like. Cooking. Eating. Making. Exploring. Taking photos. & Blogging. I'm married to a humanitarian worker and we live in Vanuatu - a tropical paradise in the South Pacific Ocean. Nice to meet you.

You Might Also Like

  • craft diy how to make cute enveloped for invitations All

    How to make embossed envelopes!

  • All

    DIY – Driftwood Sailboat Mobile

  • All

    Alphabet Rotary Stamp

18 Comments

  • Ana says: September 7, 2011 at 2:21 AM
    AaAaAaHhHhHh I'm junping of happiness!!! :D Finally I can make it!!! I have the notes I took when we did it the first time but I was afraid to forget something :D You made this one my favorite meal too!!! Thank you Kim!!!!
    Reply
  • Lynn says: September 7, 2011 at 6:40 AM
    Thank you so much for this recipe. I've only just discovered that I can make these at home (I'm a late bloomer) and they make a really nice break from Italian. Very helpful post!
    Reply
  • leaf (the indolent cook) says: September 7, 2011 at 7:30 AM
    Such a gorgeous blog! I can see all the effort you put in here. Also, I agree, Vietnamese wraps are scrumptious!
    Reply
  • Tamara says: September 7, 2011 at 7:39 AM
    BLISS!! So excited to make these now :)
    Reply
  • Katy says: September 7, 2011 at 8:43 AM
    Oh I had some of these at a Vietnamese restaurant in France, they were fab! I've brought the actual wrappers back courtesy of a French hypermarket, but the rest I can get here, I just needed a recipe, thanks!
    Reply
  • Claudia says: September 8, 2011 at 5:20 PM
    Hi, guess what we had for dinner tonight? And we loved it. "We" are a family with two kids (7 and 16) en both enjoyed the dinner. Thanks for these great recipe, it will come for sure back again on the table, not only because the taste was great but we had so much fun making the wraps and helping each other. A great family-activity. Thanks!!
    Reply
    • Kimanh says: September 8, 2011 at 10:18 PM
      Oh Claudia, that's so good to hear! I'm so pleased you gave it a go!!
      Reply
  • Jun says: September 9, 2011 at 3:46 AM
    I love Vietnamese wrap!!! Your photos are absolutely beautiful too!!!
    Reply
  • letitberaw says: September 11, 2011 at 6:40 AM
    Holy moly that looks amazing!
    Reply
  • jd says: September 27, 2011 at 10:45 PM
    I made these, my first attempt at spring rolls, today! I used tofu instead of shiitake and they were delicious. I definitely got better at the rolling part with practice but the collapsing ones were just as tasty. ;0) Thank you for this.
    Reply
    • Kimanh says: September 28, 2011 at 6:45 AM
      Hi JD, couldn't help looking at your site... Wow wow Wow!!!! You are so talented! Your illustrations are wonderful! (also, so glad you tried my favourite dish!!) Kimanh x
      Reply
  • Irene @ H.V.R. says: September 28, 2011 at 11:56 AM
    Great recipe! It is easy to follow. I can't wait to taste my finish product!
    Reply
  • jd says: September 29, 2011 at 12:05 AM
    Thank you, Kimanh! ...came back today to print this out and look for more recipes. Good stuff!
    Reply
  • EllenQ says: September 29, 2011 at 12:26 AM
    That is the cutest video! I'm making these for dinner tonight.
    Reply
  • Vicky says: October 27, 2011 at 4:35 PM
    Awesome video! I had my first attempt at these rolls yesterday - at first they looked a little odd but then i got the hang of it!
    Reply
  • Rosalie Tasker says: November 13, 2011 at 10:38 AM
    My son in NZ told me tonight,( since I told him & his wife about your blog,) they make the Vietnamese wraps every week and love them. I might get to taste them when I go there this week Kim. Thanks for a great blog site.
    Reply
    • Kimanh says: November 13, 2011 at 11:07 AM
      That's great Rosalie! I hope they do treat you when you're there!
      Reply
  • Clansi says: April 6, 2012 at 1:40 AM
    This is one of my very favourite meals. Our usual fillings are: vermicilli, satay sauce, tempeh, grated carrot, cucumber and mint. I'm lazy with my dipping sauce and just use Kecap Manis and/or Tamari sauce. Love the video :)
    Reply
  • Leave a reply Cancel reply

    How to plann your instagram feed before publishing

    Categories

    • Popular
    • Comments
    • Tags
    • edible bread spoons tutorial

      How to make Edible Spoons!

      May 1, 2012
    • plastic buttons made from shrink plastic

      How to Make Clothing Buttons from Shrink Plastic…

      July 18, 2011
    • how-to-make-a-paper-pencil

      How to Make Paper Pencils (tutorial)

      January 4, 2012
    • how-to-make-toadstool-pencils

      How to make Toadstool Pencils – Easy!

      July 7, 2011
    • make pin heads our of shrink plastic

      Design Your Own Pin Heads – Tutorial

      August 16, 2011
    Vegan vegetarian lifestyle tip thailand Port Vila vanuatu raw Chiang Mai lifestlye flowers Markets printable craft. I met Jamie Oliver! (sorta) healthy pinterest web
    Follow on Instagram
    Follow SPWblog
    Follow on rss
    pregnancy stationery
    • HOME
    • My Photography Gear
    • ABOUT
    • CONTACT

    © SCISSORSPAPERWOK.COM