Shrimp rice paper rolls are synonymous with Vietnamese cuisine. They are hugely popular as a palate cleansing appetizer, quickfire standalone lunch wrap, or as light but filling sides for shared meals. The recipe below is the ideal way to familiarize yourself with making these delicious spring rolls at home and wowing your friends and family.

There are many sensational choices for filling Vietnamese rice paper rolls. Beef, pork, and vegetarian options work well with vermicelli noodles and fresh veggies wrapped up in translucent rice paper. It is the shrimp version, however, that is often the most enticing, for the visual appeal of orange stripes amidst bright salad, and the meat’s ability to pair with fresh herbs, and your preferred dipping sauce.

The key ingredient to match with shrimp is mint, I’ve found that it’s the most notable flavor every time I’ve eaten or made rice paper rolls. The refreshing, clean bite of the herb works in tandem with briny seafood, giving it an amazingly fresh mouthfeel. I always make sure there’s plenty of mint in each roll, even when I’m using basil or cilantro as well. Aside from the mint, you can chop and change the vegetable and herb fillings, but I like the textural differences and color contrast of fresh lettuce leaves, carrots, and red cabbage.

One area that may be daunting for the inexperienced is choosing the right shrimp. If the shrimp are a medium-large size, you should be able to fit three whole ones into each rice paper roll without being cramped for room. However, if they fit the description of ‘colossal’ or ‘giant’ shrimp, you may need to cut them in half to get them to the right size for rolls. If you regularly use a seafood market, they can advise you on getting the perfect shrimp for the right price, otherwise I found this breakdown to be useful for size and weight comparisons.

I love the portability and adaptability of these fresh and flavorful rice paper wraps. I’ll often make double batches for my wife to take to work, if they make it that far! They are welcome at every dinner table and never last long when we have guests. Once you’ve got the hang of wrapping them up, it won’t be long until shrimp rice paper rolls become one of your signature dishes!