Thai-Style Vegetarian Spring Rolls – Delicious, Authentic, and Easy to Make at Home

Thai cuisine always captivates with its bold flavors of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet. Today, “Sổ Tay Món Ăn” will guide you on how to make Thai-style vegetarian spring rolls, a perfect blend of the crispy Vietnamese wrapper and the distinctive flavors from the Land of Smiles. This dish is ideal for the whole family, especially for those seeking a light yet enticing vegetarian meal.

Thai-Style Vegetarian Spring Rolls

Origin and Unique Fusion of Two Culinary Traditions

Thai-style vegetarian spring rolls are an intriguing fusion of Vietnamese and Thai culinary cultures. While traditional spring rolls are familiar to Vietnamese, this vegetarian version is elevated with characteristic ingredients like lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai vegetarian fish sauce. These flavors not only create an alluring aroma but also offer a novel taste experience that stimulates all senses.

Once, while enjoying vegetarian spring rolls at a small eatery in Bangkok, I was captivated by their distinctive aroma and the crispy texture combined with fresh vegetable filling. That moment inspired me to create this recipe, helping you easily prepare it at home while maintaining the authentic Thai flavor.

Secrets to Making Perfect Thai-Style Vegetarian Spring Rolls

Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Dish

To ensure Thai-style vegetarian spring rolls meet the standard, selecting fresh and authentic ingredients is crucial. Here’s the list of ingredients you’ll need:

• Spring Roll Filling:
  • 150g black fungus (wood ear mushrooms)
  • 100g shiitake mushrooms
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 jicama
  • 1 lemongrass stalk
  • 2-3 garlic cloves
  • 1 small piece of galangal
  • 2-3 kaffir lime leaves
  • Fresh chili (to taste)
  • Spring onions, cilantro
  • Seasonings: Thai vegetarian fish sauce, sugar, vegetarian seasoning powder, ground black pepper
• Spring Roll Wrappers: Rice paper or brown rice paper
• Dipping Sauce: Thai vegetarian fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, chili, garlic, pickled vegetables
• Tools: Deep frying pan, knife, chopping board, mixing bowl…

Note that Thai vegetarian fish sauce is key to the dish’s flavor. If unavailable, you can substitute with regular vegetarian fish sauce and enhance the lemongrass and galangal to achieve the characteristic aroma.

Ingredients for Thai-Style Vegetarian Spring Rolls

Detailed Step-by-Step Preparation Process

1. Prepare Ingredients:

   • Soak black fungus and shiitake mushrooms in warm water for about 15 minutes, then rinse and chop finely.
   • Peel and rinse carrot and jicama, then dice or shred.
   • Finely chop lemongrass, galangal, garlic, and chili. Thinly slice kaffir lime leaves.
   • Rinse and finely chop spring onions and cilantro.

2. Mix Filling:

   • Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, add 2 tablespoons of Thai vegetarian fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of vegetarian seasoning powder, and a pinch of ground black pepper.
   • Mix well and let the filling rest for 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.

3. Roll Spring Rolls:

   • Lay out the rice paper on a clean surface, place a suitable amount of filling in the center.
   • Fold the sides in, then roll tightly to create an attractive shape.

4. Fry Spring Rolls:

   • Heat oil in a deep frying pan, fry the spring rolls until golden on all sides. For extra crispiness, you can fry them twice: first on low heat to cook the filling, then on higher heat for a crispy exterior.

5. Prepare Dipping Sauce:

   • Mix 3 tablespoons of Thai vegetarian fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and finely chopped chili and garlic.
   • Stir well and adjust to taste.

6. Serve:

   • Place spring rolls on a plate lined with paper towels, garnish with fresh herbs and cilantro.
   • Serve with dipping sauce and side dishes like fresh noodles or vegetarian spring rolls.