Gỏi Cuốn (Fresh Spring Rolls)

Rice paper wrappers enfold succulent shrimp, silky vermicelli, and a vibrant tangle of fresh herbs—mint, cilantro, and basil create a bright, aromatic bite that's crisp on the outside and delicate within. Served with a tangy dipping sauce, these rolls showcase the perfect balance of textures and flavors that define Vietnamese cuisine. Make them for a light appetizer, elegant dinner starter, or when you want to impress guests with something refreshingly different.

Ingredients

12 sheets rice paper (bánh tráng nướng)

8 ounces (225 grams) cooked shrimp, halved lengthwise

2 ounces (60 grams) pork belly, thinly sliced and cooked

4 ounces (115 grams) rice vermicelli noodles, cooked and cooled

1 head leaf lettuce, separated into leaves

1 cup (30 grams) fresh mint leaves

1 cup (30 grams) fresh cilantro leaves

1 cup (30 grams) fresh basil leaves (Thai basil preferred)

1 medium carrot, julienned

1 cucumber, julienned

3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) fish sauce

2 tablespoons (25 grams) sugar

2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) rice vinegar

1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) red chili flakes

1/4 cup (60 milliliters) warm water

Instructions

Prepare the dipping sauce by combining fish sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, lime juice, minced garlic, red chili flakes, and warm water in a small bowl, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Set aside.

Fill a shallow bowl with room temperature water. Dip one sheet of rice paper into the water for 2-3 seconds, just until pliable but still slightly firm, then lay it flat on a clean, damp cutting board or plate.

Layer ingredients in the center of the rice paper in this order: one lettuce leaf, a small pinch of cooked vermicelli noodles, several shrimp pieces with pink side facing down for visual appeal, a slice of cooked pork belly, julienned carrots, julienned cucumber, and 2-3 leaves each of mint, cilantro, and basil.

Fold the bottom edge of the rice paper over the filling, then fold in both sides toward the center, creating a snug bundle without tearing the delicate paper.

Roll the bundle away from you tightly but gently until you reach the top edge, keeping the sides tucked in as you roll. The roll should be compact but not so tight that it tears.

Place the completed roll on a serving platter, seam side down. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying while you prepare the remaining rolls.

Repeat the filling and rolling process with remaining rice paper sheets and ingredients until all rolls are complete.

Arrange the finished rolls on a serving platter and serve immediately with the prepared dipping sauce, or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 hours.