Do you ever feel like you’re stuck for food ideas? When trying to mix things up, side dishes can be especially difficult.
Rice paper rolls are an excellent way to mix things up while quickly getting healthy meals. But what to serve with rice paper rolls?
Rice paper rolls are a light, refreshing delicacy created from thin rice paper wrappers filled with salad, herbs, vegetables, and other contents.
These bite-sized morsels tickle your taste buds and feature something for everyone, from crunchy cucumber to salty almonds with fragrant herbs like mint and basil.
Furthermore, they are exceedingly simple to prepare and ideal for an Asian-inspired meal or as snacks at any event.
The only problem is deciding what goes best with them! There are numerous ways to serve rice paper rolls, so let’s look at some flavor combinations that will take these popular appetizers to the next level.
1. Woks
Works are starting our list of what to serve with rice paper rolls. You can create a type of stir-fried noodle with various ingredients.
The works let the ingredients mingle and cook quickly, resulting in a complex but balanced flavor.
Furthermore, practically all types of noodles are high in vitamins and minerals, making them an excellent source of daily nutrients.
Here’s what you need to know about wok-fried noodles, whether you’re creating Thai, Vietnamese, or Chinese meals.
Lasagna sheets, spaghetti, and fettuccine can also be added to the mix for Italian cuisine.
Aside from the noodles, adding various vegetables and meats makes wok-fried noodles more exquisite than before.
Carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and garlic lend an earthy flavor, while chicken thighs or pork loin add depth to each bite.
If you wish to serve creamy rice paper rolls without dairy products, use eggs or tofu instead!
The flavor of any food is derived from the spices and seasonings used when preparing it!
Most ethnic cuisines, such as Thai or Chinese cookery, use sweet (honey), acidic (lime juice), spicy (chili sauce), umami (soy sauce), and sour (vinegar) flavors.
For deeper depth, many recipes will call for combining different sauces!
Complementing the spices with rich sauces such as Hoisin sauce for a tangy kick or Shichimi Togarashi, which delivers a blend of seven spices topped with red chili pepper flakes—perfection!
2. Chinese Broccoli With Garlic Sauce
Rice paper rolls are a traditional Vietnamese cuisine with a delicate, chewy wrapper filled with various fresh veggies, meats, and seafood.
They were frequently offered on their own as an appetizer or light lunch.
However, there’s no reason you can’t capitalize on the flavor combination of your rice paper rolls by serving them alongside another delectable food.
Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce is also on our list of What to serve with rice paper rolls since it is a wonderful compliment to rice paper rolls and adds flavor to an already flavorful dish.
Chinese broccoli is a Brassica plant with tasty crunchy stems and big leaves that resemble spinach.
It is slightly sweeter than regular broccoli and has a distinct flavor
3. Sweet and Sour Chicken
Sweet and sour chicken is a traditional Chinese-American meal that is typical when looking for What to serve with rice paper rolls.
Sweet and sour chicken is always popular, whether served as a main meal or as part of an appetizer platter.
If you’re serving chicken with rice paper rolls, having sweet and sour sauce on hand will make your visitors happy.
Deep-fried chunks of battered chicken topped in a sweet and sour sauce made from sugar, soy sauce, chilis, vinegar, and garlic are the traditional accompaniment to rice paper rolls.
Bell peppers or pineapple chunks are sometimes added to the dish for added texture.
The end result is delicious! Look no further if you’re searching for a light yet tasty side dish to go with your meal.
It adds taste to the rolls without dominating them, and its vibrant colors make it visually appealing.
Simply offer each visitor a small dipping bowl filled with the amount of sauce they prefer.
4. Asian Coleslaw
Next on our list of what to serve with rice paper rolls is Asian coleslaw, a quick and easy side dish that combines well with rice paper rolls.
It’s Asian-inspired, with crunchy veggies, lime juice, fresh herbs, and fish sauce.
Red cabbage, carrots, capsicum, and/or red onion for crunchiness; cucumber for additional texture; spring onions for flavor; mint or coriander leaves for herby flavor; garlic, sesame oil, and lime juice for dressing the salad; plus fish sauce (or tamari if vegan).
Because of its refreshing flavor combinations of herby, leafy greens, sweet, crisp veggies, zesty citrus juice, and umami fish, Asian coleslaw pairs well with delicate foods like rice paper rolls!
5. Sweet Chili Dip
Sweet chili dip is a fantastic dipping sauce for many dishes, but it’s especially delicious when coupled with rice paper rolls, a traditional Vietnamese-inspired snack.
This spicy and savory dip complements wraps filled with traditional Vietnamese ingredients, including shrimp, pork, carrots, and lettuce.
Sweet chili dip originated in Southeast Asia and has Thai culinary roots. Its base flavors are often garlic, sugar, and fish or soy sauce.
Red chilies are also used to add depth to the dip while also offering a pleasantly spicy kick.
All these ingredients together result in a sticky-sweet yet addictively tasty mixture that enhances the tastiness of any cuisine it is served with and excels when served cold.
6. Pineapple Fried Rice
Pineapple fried rice is a Southeast Asian stir-fry dish that is both sweet and savory.
Classic ingredients include long-grain white rice, prawns, eggs, pineapple chunks, and Chinese sausage.
The egg and pineapple add a fantastic flavor to the dish, setting it apart from other Asian foods.
Pineapple fried rice can be served as a side dish or a main course.
This is one of the delicacies to consider when wondering What to serve with rice paper rolls.
Its flavors complement many other Asian cuisines, like fish maw soup and oyster omelet.
You can, for example, add shredded chicken or meat to the fried rice or serve it with steamed veggies like bok choy or bean sprouts.
You can create your own by wrapping cooked veggies, herbs, tofu (if preferred), carrots, cucumber, and cabbage in uncooked rice paper wrappers and pan-frying them in oil for about two minutes on each side over medium heat.
Experiment with shrimp or any other type of meat that complements the flavors of the pineapple fried rice!
7. Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup
Soup with chicken and sweetcorn is a traditional Chinese dish that is both savory and sweet.
Shredded chicken, sweet corn kernels, egg whites, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, and stock are used to make this soup.
This soup’s blend of ingredients makes it an appealing savory delight!
Chicken and sweetcorn soup is a great alternative for people seeking something other than plain rice as What to serve with rice paper rolls.
This dish’s blend of sweetcorn, chicken, and savory herbs makes it an excellent companion to any Asian-inspired dinner.
The maize offers a creamy basis for the broth, which helps it stand out against the other ingredients in the soup.
Chicken adds protein to the mix as well as its own flavor.
8. Smacked Cucumber
Next on our list of What to serve with rice paper rolls are smashed cucumbers. It’s a light and tasty addition to rice paper rolls.
They have a distinct flavor that combines sweet and acidic undertones.
Continue reading to learn more about smacking cucumber flavors and how they pair with the subtle sweetness of rice paper rolls.
Cucumbers that have been smashed are noted for their bright and zingy flavor.
Most chefs use English or Persian cucumbers to prepare what to offer with rice paper rolls, which are wider than typical American cucumbers but just as crisp.
The cucumber slices are lightly battered in an egg white-based batter before being lightly fried and marinated in vinegar, sugar syrup, sesame oil, garlic, shallots, and red chili flakes for extra heat.
Rice paper rolls have a mild flavor and go well with heavier meals like curries or stir-fries.
Smashed cucumbers give a refreshing counterpoint to the softness and sweetness of the rice paper rolls’ filling items such as shrimp, pork belly, or tofu.
9. Tempura Prawns
Lastly, do you want to know what to serve with rice paper rolls? Why not try tempura prawns instead of the usual, like peanuts or dipping sauces?
Tempura prawns are Japanese cuisine that consists of battered and deep-fried prawns.
They can be served as a main course or a side dish and pair nicely with cooked rice, salads, and sandwiches.
It is commonly served as part of a Teishoku (traditional fixed meal) in Japanese restaurants and food outlets.
To make tempura prawns, coat each in a thin layer of all-purpose flour seasoned with salt and pepper.
Slowly dip them into a light batter consisting of eggs, cornstarch, and water when they’re all coated.
Then gently deep-fried until golden brown; the ideal cooking time per side is about 2 minutes.
Drain the excess oil before plating and serving the tempura prawns with your favorite dipping sauces!
Because of their crunchy texture when deep-fried, tempura prawns go nicely with rice paper rolls.
The batter also adds flavor and keeps them from drying out rapidly. It makes them an excellent companion to any Asian spread that contains additional items like veggies, salad greens, or dips.
Conclusion
Depending on personal inclination and the meal environment, there are many options for What to serve with rice paper rolls.
Rice paper rolls can be amplified with cold salads like lettuce and cucumber, fried veggies like Inari sushi pockets, grilled meat or fish, noodles, and pickled vegetables.
The alternatives are unlimited – be creative in creating what to serve with rice paper rolls that will tickle your taste buds while satisfying every guest!
