Fresh spring roll (Gỏi cuốn)

Gỏi cuốn, also known as Vietnamese spring rolls, continues to be a delightful and customizable dish that you can easily make at home. The main task is to gather the necessary ingredients, which typically include rice paper, cooked shrimp, boiled pork, vermicelli noodles, fresh bean sprouts, cucumber, lettuce, mint, and various herbs. You can substitute shrimp and pork with alternatives like shrimp paste, grilled pork, or grilled beef, leading to numerous delicious variations of gỏi cuốn. Now, you can select your preferred ingredients, arrange them in the center of a soft rice paper wrapper with the vegetables first, then fold over each end, and tightly roll the rice paper into a neat cylinder. To complete the experience, dip your fresh roll into a tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce.
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Creating an appetizing dipping sauce can be a bit challenging since each restaurant often has its own unique recipe. Typically, the sauce is made from a mixture of fish sauce, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and chili in the right proportions. Some recipes call for tapioca flour and coconut milk, which are simmered with ground garlic and onion to produce a rich, velvety sauce. A special touch found in some Hanoian recipes includes the addition of a hint of glutinous rice wine. Additionally, a few regions prefer a sauce that incorporates minced kohlrabi and carrots, which are briefly salted, blanched, and then tossed with garlic, chili, and vinegar. Enjoying gỏi cuốn is always a fantastic culinary experience.
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