I am fond of discovering different dishes in Asia and what makes them unique. Spring rolls and egg rolls are two Chinese favorites that may look the same but actually have many differences. These variations include their history, ingredients, and preparation methods. But always remember it’s the dipping sauces that really make either option!
The Origins: Tracing the Cultural Roots
Spring rolls come from China where they originated in Shanghai during the Jin Dynasty many years ago. These early versions resembled thin pancakes filled with various fresh produce associated with springs hence the name ‘spring’ while on the other hand egg rolls were invented by Chinese chefs who moved to America settling at New York City’s Chinatown .From around 1930s they adjusted this dish to suit the American palate, so despite having deep Asian roots the story differs greatly between Spring and Egg rolls in terms or Origin.
What’s Inside?
The contents of spring rolls and egg rolls are not the same. Usually, spring rolls are filled with fresh vegetables like cabbage, scallions, mushroom or carrot while on the other hand eggrolls have a more meaty stuffing; shrimp/prawn being most common but can also include pork. This is why egg roll wrappers tend to be thicker than those used for making spring rolls. You need a stronger outer casing to hold heavier ingredients! Spring rolls work well with light veggies.
However, this filling may vary depending on who cooks it and where you find yourself so don’t be surprised if some spring rolls contain some kind of animal/ fish protein inside and visa versa.
The Outer layer
The initial big distinction between spring rolls and egg rolls? Their outer layer. Spring roll wraps are thin and small. On the other hand, egg roll wraps are large and thick because they’re made from a dough which closely resembles wonton; this makes them feel heavier as well as doughier than light springrolls. Oddly enough, while eggrolls are usually egg free (both fillings & wrappers), this isn’t always true.
Cooking Techniques
When you compare spring rolls with eggrolls there are many differences including how they’re cooked but one thing stands out among all others – deep frying which gives egg rolls their signature crispy look. Eggrolls may either be fresh served , baked or even fried using a wok depending on the recipe.
The Vietnamese Twist: Gỏi Cuốn Rolls
The Vietnamese style called gỏi cuốn or “salad rolls” is worth mentioning. They are different from fried spring rolls because they contain fresh components only. In other words, they are not cooked; just wrapped in soft rice paper.
Vietnamese spring rolls, known as gỏi cuốn, are not at all like their fried Chinese cousins. Instead of being filled with vegetables that have been cooked by frying them in oil until crispy like Chinese spring rolls, Vietnamese rolls have raw veggies inside. Some herbs such as mint leaves or coriander can be added too along with seafood like shrimps/prawns or meat fillings if desired so that they become light yet tasty snacks allowing natural flavors to come out better.
The use of rice paper is what makes gỏi cuốn special among all other types of spring roll wrappers around the world . This paper is made from a mixture consisting mainly of rice flour mixed with water . It is very thin and almost transparent thus making whatever fillings put into it appear lively and very enticing .
Even though this type isn’t the usually deep-fried kind , gỏi cuốn still offers an interesting twist. It shows how diverse this dish can get depending on where you are in Asia . This method involves rolling them fresh so that they remain unfried which results into a healthy snack option for anytime enjoyment..
Sauces and Condiments
Being a lover of Asian food, I find the real charm in spring rolls and egg rolls is their dipping sauces.These sauces, like sweet chili or tangy soy, are key in making meals great. They add a lot to the taste.
When we look at the facts, spring rolls and egg rolls come with many sauces. These can be sweet, spicy, or mix the two. Dipping them lets you enjoy food your own way. For a bold taste, go for soy sauce. For something fresh, try sweet chili or creamy peanut sauce.
No matter what you like, dipping sauces make eating spring and egg rolls better.They let you try new things, making each bite more interesting. Enjoy these appetizers with the sauces and find new flavors. Check out my full review on Dipping sauces for egg rolls here.