Nem Rán: Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls

Nem rán are Vietnamese fried spring rolls, known as nem rán in the north and chả giò in the south. In the Czech Republic they were one of the first Vietnamese dishes people discovered and are simply called “nem”. Here is how they differ from Chinese spring rolls and how to make them.

Nem rán vs Chinese spring rolls

Wrapper: nem are wrapped in rice paper, Chinese spring rolls in wheat pastry. Rice paper fries up crisper and bubbly.
Filling: nem are mostly minced meat, while Chinese rolls are mostly vegetables.
Serving: nem are wrapped in lettuce with herbs and dipped in nước chấm.

Nem rán recipe (about 25 rolls)

Filling

400 g minced pork
150 g prawns, chopped (optional)
40 g glass noodles, soaked and cut short
10 g dried wood ear mushrooms, soaked and chopped
1 carrot and 1 kohlrabi or jicama, grated
2 shallots, 2 garlic cloves
1 egg
1 tbsp fish sauce, salt, pepper, 1 tsp sugar

You will also need

25 sheets of rice paper
oil for frying
lettuce, mint, perilla, coriander
nước chấm dipping sauce (fish sauce, lime, sugar, water, garlic, chilli)

Method

Mix all the filling ingredients thoroughly.
Dip a sheet of rice paper for a few seconds in lukewarm water with a little sugar. The sugar helps the rolls turn golden.
Place a spoonful of filling near the bottom edge, fold in the sides and roll up tightly.
Fry in oil at 160 °C for 8 to 10 minutes until golden. For extra crunch, take them out, rest for 5 minutes and fry again briefly at 180 °C.
Serve with lettuce, herbs and nước chấm.

Bún nem: fried spring rolls with noodles and dipping sauce

Bún chả giò: rice noodles with fried spring rolls

Tips

Don’t let the rolls touch before frying, or they will stick together.
Raw nem freeze well. Fry them straight from frozen, a few minutes longer.
You can bake nem in the oven or an air fryer, but they will be less crispy.

Nem rán spring rolls with rice noodles and vegetables

Where to eat nem in Prague

Nem are on almost every Vietnamese menu. Bistros at Sapa market make excellent homemade ones. They are also served with bún chả or in a bowl of bún bò Nam Bộ.

FAQ

What is the difference between nem and summer rolls?

Nem are fried; summer rolls (gỏi cuốn) are served fresh, not fried.

Why are they called spring rolls?

The name comes from China, where rolls were eaten to celebrate spring. In Vietnam, nem are a traditional dish for Tết, the Lunar New Year.