Vietnamese FRESH spring roll 'Goi Cuon'

Unless you eat Vietnamese food you may not have come across these fresh spring rolls before. Delicious!

Fresh spring roll meaning NOT fried. They can be made various different ways. Wrapped in rice paper or wrapped in lettuce leaves. These are the two versions I gratefully tasted.

They are as the name says 'fresh' you can taste the flavors inside. Commonly they tend to be filled with - Pork -King prawn- glass noodles - or rice- lettuce leaves- fresh herbs-dipping sauce.

Just like the bang xeo (Vietnamese pancakes) each region seems to have their own version.

So here we go again around Vietnam for some fresh spring rolls.

The Saigon spring roll

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Rice paper rolled - lean pork slices- king prawns- glass noodles- basil- shredded lettuce- dark peanut sauce

An Emile Moment

The soft bite through the rice paper, it's not crunchy but perfectly encases the glorious filling giving you something to bite through. The simple pork slice accompanied by the king prawn, the aromatic herbs, soft slippery glass noodles all dipping into this strong dark peanut sauce.

The Hanoi Spring Roll

Completely different to the Saigon spring roll. Wrapped in lettuce leaf - king prawns- crispy lean bacon- glass noodles- fresh herbs- spring onion - sweet chili vinegar dipping sauce

Emile moment

Soft from the moment it touches your lips. The lettuce leaf not crunchy just gently wrapping itself around the noodles. The bite being the king prawn skin on against the salty lean crispy bacon dipped into the perfectly balanced sweet chili vinegar sauce. Mouthfuls of soft yumminess. We ordered a second portion.

These spring come to life with the dipping sauces they are served with. Especially the dark peanut sauce I had with the Saigon spring rolls. Hummmm

When I was travelling eating this vietnamese food I couldn't help myself not to google recipes or watch u tube clips as soon as I got back to my hostel or hotel. Im going to let you in on a secret. "Helen" Helens Vietnamese recipes on u tube - see Helen's video on how to make spring rolls.

 

I'll be doing a Vietnamese dinner party in April for a friend - Menu and pics will follow soon after. For now enjoy Helen on u tube :)