Flavorful Vietnamese Summer Rolls
Many cultures around the world have versions of rice paper rolls, but the Vietnamese summer roll is my favorite of the lot. It's a refreshing, healthy, and delicious appetizer or light lunch that's perfect for hot weather. The wrappers are made from a thin layer of rice flour and water, and they're soaked in warm water until they become soft and pliable. Then, they're filled with a variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, and noodles, and rolled up tightly. The rolls are served with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar.
The origins of the Vietnamese summer roll are unclear, but it's thought to have originated in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The rolls are a popular street food in Vietnam, and they're also served in restaurants around the world. I first had a Vietnamese summer roll in a Vietnamese restaurant in New York City, and I was immediately hooked. I love the fresh, light flavors, and the dipping sauce is the perfect complement to the rolls. I've been making Vietnamese summer rolls at home for years, and I've experimented with a variety of fillings. My favorite filling is a combination of vermicelli noodles, carrots, cucumber, radishes, mint, and cilantro.
Flavorful Vietnamese Summer Rolls Flavorful Vietnamese Summer Rolls Flavorful Vietnamese Summer Rolls Flavorful Vietnamese Summer Rolls
Prep time: 10 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • Rice paper wrappers
  • Vermicelli noodles
  • Carrots
  • Cucumber
  • Radishes
  • Mint
  • Cilantro
  • Dipping sauce
Instructions
  1. Soak the rice paper wrappers in warm water for a few seconds until they are soft and pliable.
  2. Lay a rice paper wrapper on a flat surface and top it with a few noodles, vegetables, and herbs.
  3. Roll up the rice paper wrapper tightly, starting from the bottom and working your way to the top.
  4. Repeat with the remaining rice paper wrappers, noodles, vegetables, and herbs.
  5. Serve the summer rolls with dipping sauce.
Why It Works
  • Soaking the rice paper wrappers in warm water makes them soft and pliable, which makes it easier to roll them up without tearing them.
  • Using a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs gives the rolls a fresh, light flavor.
  • The dipping sauce adds a salty, sweet, and sour flavor to the rolls.
  • Rolling the rolls tightly helps to keep them from falling apart.