Salad Roll

A salad roll(gỏi cuốn / nem cuốn), also known as fresh spring roll or nem roll, is a Vietnamese dish with rice paper(bánh tráng) wrapped around filling, typically lettuce, herbs, and rice noodles with shrimp or another topping. Salad rolls are generally served with flavorful dipping sauce.

Salad rolls are known as goi cuon(gỏi cuốn) in southern Vietnam and nem cuon(nem cuốn) in northern Vietnam. Not to be confused with Cantonese or other spring rolls, which are typically fried, salad rolls are served fresh with raw vegetables. Some ingredients may be boiled and cooled before assembly.

Shrimp is one of the most popular fillings; pork, beef, tofu, and sausage are also common. Sometimes they contain a combination of different fillings. Vietnamese pickles(đồ chua) can be added.

Salad rolls are typically served with peanut sauce or a dipping sauce known as nuoc cham(nước chấm). They can also be served with other types of dipping sauce.

Peanut Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • ½ cup hoisin sauce
  • ½ cup peanut butter or powdered roasted peanut
  • 1 tbsp cane sugar
  • ½ cup water

Directions

  • saute garlic, shallot
  • add hoisin sauce, peanut butter, sugar
  • gradually stir in water until mixed
  • serve or store

Spring Roll Recipe

Ingredients

  • rice paper(bánh tráng)
  • mint and/or coriander and/or thai basil
  • lettuce
  • rice noodle, cooked
  • chive (optional)
  • shrimp, boiled and peeled and deveined and halved lengthwise, or tofu or other topping

Directions

  • dip rice paper in water
  • add mint, lettuce, rice noodle in rice paper
  • roll halfway
  • add shrimp, chive
  • roll until closed
  • serve