September marks the start of spring in Australia. As the days begin to feel milder and fresh produce starts changing with the season, it is a good time to bring lighter, crispier meals back into the kitchen.
Few meals make better use of fresh vegetables than Vietnamese rice paper rolls. Also commonly searched for in Australia as rice paper rolls, fresh spring rolls or Vietnamese spring rolls, they combine soft rice paper wrappers with vegetables, herbs, rice vermicelli and your choice of protein.
They are easy to customise, require very little cooking and work particularly well when everyone at the table wants something slightly different.
Best of all, you can keep the essential Asian ingredients in the pantry and buy the fresh fillings as you need them.
Start with rice paper, rice vermicelli noodle, and your favourite Asian dipping sauces from Asian Pantry.
What Are Rice Paper Rolls?
Rice paper rolls are fresh rolls commonly associated with Vietnamese cuisine. Vietnamese fresh spring rolls are often known as gỏi cuốn and typically contain ingredients such as rice vermicelli, vegetables, herbs and meat or prawns wrapped inside softened rice paper.
Unlike fried spring rolls, fresh rice paper rolls are served without deep-frying. The wrapper is briefly softened in water before being filled and rolled.
Their flexibility is one reason they are so useful for home cooks. Prawns, chicken, pork, tofu, mushrooms and vegetables can all become fillings, making rice paper rolls suitable for quick lunches, family dinners and build-your-own platters.
Why September Is a Great Time to Make Rice Paper Rolls in Australia
Spring in Australia runs from September to November, bringing a new selection of seasonal produce to greengrocers, markets and supermarkets around the country.
Seasonal availability differs across Australia's climates and changes with growing conditions, but Australian spring produce guides commonly include vegetables that work beautifully in fresh rolls, including:
- Carrots
- Lettuce and leafy greens
- Radishes
- Spring onions
- Asian greens
- Peas and snow peas
- Spinach
- Fresh herbs
This makes rice paper rolls particularly useful for seasonal cooking. Instead of following one rigid recipe, you can visit your local market or greengrocer, see what looks good that week and build your rolls around it.
Keep the rice paper, vermicelli and sauces in your pantry and let the fresh Australian produce change throughout spring.
Seasonal produce varies between Australian states, growing regions and weather conditions. Sources: Sydney Local Health District Seasonal Fruit and Vegetable Guide, CERES Seasonal Eating Guide and Sustainable Table.
What Do You Need to Make Rice Paper Rolls?
A basic rice paper roll can be broken into four parts: the wrapper, noodles, fresh fillings and sauce.
1. Rice Paper Wrappers
Rice paper is the ingredient that holds everything together. The dried sheets become flexible after brief contact with water.
Asian Pantry stocks Vietnamese rice paper wrappers in different shapes and sizes, including round and square options.
Larger wrappers give beginners more room for fillings and folding, while smaller wrappers are useful when making snack-sized rolls.
2. Rice Vermicelli
Rice vermicelli adds body to a fresh roll without overpowering the herbs, vegetables and sauce.
Cook the vermicelli according to its packet instructions, drain it thoroughly and allow it to cool before assembling your rolls.
Browse vermicelli noodles at Asian Pantry.
3. Fresh Australian Vegetables and Herbs
This is where spring shopping gets interesting.
Try combining shredded carrot with lettuce, radish, spring onion and plenty of herbs. Coriander and mint are classic choices for a fresh aromatic flavour.
You can also experiment with thinly sliced snow peas, blanched Asian greens or other crisp vegetables you find at your local greengrocer.
The aim is a mixture of crunch, freshness and texture rather than fitting as many ingredients as possible into each roll.
4. Your Choice of Protein
Popular options include:
- Cooked prawns
- Poached or grilled chicken
- Vietnamese-style pork
- Marinated tofu
- Fried tofu
- Mushrooms
- Thin omelette strips
A mixed platter is particularly useful when serving a group because everyone can make their own combination.
How to Make Rice Paper Rolls
Making rice paper rolls becomes much easier once all your ingredients are prepared before you start rolling.
- Prepare your fillings. Cook and cool your vermicelli, slice your vegetables and herbs, and prepare your chosen protein.
- Fill a wide bowl or shallow dish with water. It should be large enough to accommodate your rice paper wrapper.
- Briefly wet the rice paper. Follow the directions on your particular packet. Avoid leaving the wrapper submerged until it becomes extremely soft.
- Transfer it to a clean work surface. The wrapper will continue softening as you add the fillings.
- Add your fillings. Place them towards the lower third of the wrapper and leave space around the edges.
- Fold and roll. Fold the lower edge over the filling, bring in the sides and continue rolling firmly.
- Serve with dipping sauce. Eat them soon after rolling for the best texture.
The Rice Paper Mistake Beginners Often Make
One of the most common problems when making rice paper rolls is soaking the wrapper for too long.
Rice paper can continue absorbing moisture after it has been removed from the water. If you wait for it to become completely soft before transferring it to your work surface, it can become sticky and difficult to handle.
Use your packet instructions as your starting point and remember that different rice paper brands and thicknesses may behave slightly differently.
What Can You Put in Rice Paper Rolls?
Traditional combinations are a great place to start, but rice paper is an incredibly practical wrapper for using whatever fresh ingredients you already have.
Classic Prawn Rice Paper Rolls
Try cooked prawns, rice vermicelli, lettuce, carrot, mint and coriander.
Spring Vegetable Rice Paper Rolls
Use shredded carrot, lettuce, radish, snow peas, spring onion, mint and coriander for a colourful vegetable-focused roll.
Chicken Rice Paper Rolls
Combine sliced chicken with vermicelli, carrot, lettuce and herbs. Add a little chilli if you prefer more heat.
Tofu Rice Paper Rolls
Use marinated or fried tofu with crisp vegetables, vermicelli and herbs. A hoisin-style dipping sauce works particularly well alongside tofu.
Leftover Roast Rice Paper Rolls
Rice paper rolls can also help turn leftover cooked chicken or pork into lunch the following day. Add fresh vegetables, herbs and vermicelli and you have an entirely different meal.
Try a Build-Your-Own Rice Paper Roll Dinner
You do not necessarily need to roll everything before dinner.
Put rice paper, cooked vermicelli, proteins, vegetables, herbs and dipping sauces in the centre of the table and let everyone assemble their own.
It works especially well for spring entertaining and family dinners because each person controls what goes into their roll.
A simple spread could include:
- Rice paper wrappers
- Cooked rice vermicelli
- Prawns
- Chicken or tofu
- Shredded carrot
- Lettuce
- Radish
- Spring onion
- Mint
- Coriander
- Hoisin dipping sauce
- Fish sauce-based dipping sauce
- Fresh chilli
It is also an easy way to use vegetables from the fridge before the next grocery run.
What Sauce Goes With Rice Paper Rolls?
The dipping sauce can completely change how a rice paper roll tastes.
Vietnamese Fish Sauce Dipping Sauce
A Vietnamese-style dipping sauce commonly known as nước chấm is often made with fish sauce, water, sugar, lime or another sour element, garlic and chilli. Recipes differ between households and dishes.
Browse fish sauce and Asian sauces at Asian Pantry.
Hoisin-Based Dipping Sauce
Hoisin provides a sweeter, richer dipping option and pairs well with fresh rolls containing prawns, pork or tofu.
Peanut can also be added to some hoisin-based dipping sauces, depending on the recipe and dietary requirements.
Sweet Chilli Sauce
If you want a simple option straight from the bottle, sweet chilli sauce gives rice paper rolls sweetness and chilli heat without requiring another recipe.
Explore Asian Pantry's sauces and condiments to find your preferred dipping sauce.
Round vs Square Rice Paper: Which Should You Buy?
Both round and square rice paper can be used for rolls. The best choice often comes down to the size of roll you want to make and which shape you find easiest to fold.
Asian Pantry carries different rice paper formats, including round and square Vietnamese rice paper.
- Large round rice paper: a versatile choice for everyday fresh rolls and useful for beginners who want more room for fillings.
- Smaller round rice paper: useful for smaller rolls and snack-sized portions.
- Square rice paper: another practical choice for neatly folded rolls.
Browse the full rice paper range and check individual product directions before preparing.
Rice Paper Rolls vs Spring Rolls: What Is the Difference?
In everyday Australian usage, the names can sometimes become confusing.
Fresh Vietnamese rice paper rolls are made using softened rice paper and are normally served fresh.
Fried spring rolls use wrappers designed for frying and are cooked until crisp.
If you are shopping specifically to make fresh Vietnamese-style rolls, look for rice paper wrappers.
Can You Cook Rice Paper?
Yes. Rice paper is best known in Australia for fresh rolls, but it can also be used in cooked recipes.
Home cooks now use rice paper for crispy rolls, dumpling-style parcels and other pan-fried or air-fried recipes.
Cooking methods vary significantly between recipes, so use instructions designed specifically for the dish you are making rather than treating every rice paper recipe the same way.
Keep the Pantry Ingredients Ready, Add Fresh Produce
One of the easiest ways to make rice paper rolls a regular meal is to separate your shopping into two groups.
Keep the shelf-stable Asian essentials at home:
- Rice paper
- Rice vermicelli
- Fish sauce
- Hoisin sauce
- Sweet chilli sauce
- Other favourite Asian condiments
Then pick up vegetables, herbs and protein when you are ready to make them.
During spring, this gives you the freedom to use whatever Australian-grown produce is looking good at your local market or greengrocer that week.
Shop Rice Paper Roll Ingredients Online in Australia
Asian Pantry makes it easy to keep the essential ingredients for Asian cooking in one place.
For your next rice paper roll night, start with:
- Shop Rice Paper
- Shop Rice Vermicelli Noodle
- Shop Asian Sauces
- Shop Vietnamese Groceries
- Shop Asian Pantry Staples
With the wrappers, noodles and sauces already in the cupboard, your next batch of fresh rice paper rolls can start with a quick trip for vegetables, herbs and your favourite fillings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rice Paper Rolls
What is rice paper used for?
Rice paper is commonly used to make Vietnamese fresh rice paper rolls. Depending on the product and recipe, it can also be used for fried or crispy rolls and other rice paper-based dishes.
Do you use hot or cold water for rice paper rolls?
Follow the directions provided on your packet of rice paper, as preparation can vary by product. The wrapper only needs enough moisture to become flexible and will continue softening while you add the fillings.
How long should you soak rice paper?
Soaking time varies according to the brand, thickness and water temperature. Avoid relying on one universal number. Follow the packet instructions and remove the wrapper before it becomes excessively soft.
Why does my rice paper keep tearing?
Rice paper can tear when it becomes too soft, when it is overfilled or when hard and sharp ingredients press into the wrapper. Use moderate fillings and give the wrapper enough room to fold comfortably.
How do you stop rice paper rolls from sticking together?
Keep finished rolls slightly separated when plating or storing them. Rice paper becomes tacky when hydrated, so placing fresh rolls directly against each other can cause them to stick.
What vegetables can I put in rice paper rolls?
Carrot, lettuce, radish, spring onion, Asian greens and fresh herbs are all good options. During Australian spring, check your local seasonal produce and use vegetables that offer a mixture of freshness, flavour and crunch.
What noodles are used in Vietnamese rice paper rolls?
Rice vermicelli is commonly used in Vietnamese fresh rolls. Cook it according to packet instructions, drain thoroughly and allow it to cool before rolling.
What dipping sauce goes with rice paper rolls?
Popular options include Vietnamese fish sauce-based dipping sauces, hoisin-based sauces and sweet chilli sauce. The best choice depends on your filling and preferred balance of salty, sweet, sour and spicy flavours.
Can I make vegetarian rice paper rolls?
Yes. Tofu, mushrooms, rice vermicelli, vegetables and fresh herbs make excellent vegetarian fillings. Check all sauces and packaged ingredients if you need the finished dish to meet specific vegetarian or vegan dietary requirements.
Where can I buy rice paper in Australia?
Rice paper is available from Asian grocery stores and selected supermarkets. You can also buy rice paper online from Asian Pantry, alongside rice vermicelli, Vietnamese groceries, sauces and other Asian pantry essentials for delivery in Australia.
Your Spring Rice Paper Roll Shopping List
Ready to make your own? Here is the simple version.
From Asian Pantry: rice paper, rice vermicelli, fish sauce, hoisin sauce, sweet chilli sauce and your favourite Asian condiments.
From your local market or greengrocer: seasonal vegetables, leafy greens, fresh herbs and your choice of protein.
Then put everything on the table, soften a sheet of rice paper and start rolling.