🏠 Home > 🗺️ Recipes > 🥪 Appetizers > 🇻🇳 Vietnam Appetizers > 🥪 Fresh Spring Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn) , Vietnamese Mini Pancakes (Bánh Khọt) , Grilled Pork Skewers (Nem Nướng)
🥪 Authentic Vietnam Appetizers Recipes You Can Try at Home
Vietnamese food is famous around the globe for being fresh, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. And while dishes like pho or banh mi usually steal the spotlight, Vietnamese appetizers hold their own charm. Whether it’s crunchy fried bites, refreshing wraps, or savory mini pancakes, appetizers in Vietnam are more than just starters—they’re part of social gatherings, street-side snacking, and even family traditions.
In this article, we’ll explore three of the most beloved Vietnamese appetizers that you can actually recreate in your own kitchen:
1.Fresh Spring Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn)
2.Vietnamese Mini Pancakes (Bánh Khọt)
3.Grilled Pork Skewers (Nem Nướng)
Each recipe comes with background stories, exact measurements, detailed cooking steps, and tips to avoid common mistakes. Ready? Let’s dive in.
🔹 Recipe 1: Fresh Spring Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn)
About this Recipe
Fresh spring rolls are a staple in Vietnamese cuisine. They’re light, healthy, and refreshing. Wrapped in translucent rice paper, they usually contain shrimp, pork, herbs, and vermicelli noodles. Served with peanut dipping sauce, they’re a crowd-pleaser whether you’re at a Vietnamese street market or serving guests at home.
Ingredients & Measurements
- Rice paper wrappers: 10 sheets
- Cooked shrimp: 200g (peeled and deveined)
- Cooked pork belly: 150g (thinly sliced)
- Rice vermicelli noodles: 100g (cooked)
- Fresh herbs: mint, basil, cilantro – 1 handful each
- Lettuce leaves: 5–6 pieces
- Peanut dipping sauce: store-bought or homemade
Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Prepare your filling: slice pork belly and halve the shrimp lengthwise.
2.Dip rice paper in warm water for 3–5 seconds until pliable.
3.Place lettuce, herbs, noodles, pork, and shrimp in the center.
4.Fold the sides and roll tightly like a burrito.
5.Serve with peanut sauce or nước chấm.
Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t soak the rice paper too long—it will tear easily.
- Arrange shrimp near the outer layer for an Instagram-worthy look.
- Roll firmly, but don’t overstuff.
FAQ
Q: Can I make these vegetarian?
Yes! Replace shrimp and pork with tofu or mushrooms.
Q: How long do they last?
They’re best eaten fresh, but you can store in the fridge for up to 4 hours wrapped in damp paper towels.
Q: Which dipping sauce works best?
Peanut sauce is traditional, but fish sauce-based nước chấm is equally delicious.
Summary
Fresh spring rolls are light, nutritious, and customizable. They’re perfect for summer gatherings or a quick healthy snack.
🔹 Recipe 2: Vietnamese Mini Pancakes (Bánh Khọt)
About this Recipe
If you’ve ever wandered the bustling streets of southern Vietnam, you’ve probably seen vendors flipping crispy golden pancakes in small cast-iron pans. These are bánh khọt, bite-sized pancakes made from rice flour batter, topped with shrimp, and served with fresh greens and dipping sauce.
Ingredients & Measurements
- Rice flour: 200g
- Coconut milk: 200ml
- Turmeric powder: ½ tsp
- Shrimp: 200g (peeled and deveined)
- Green onions: 2 stalks (finely chopped)
- Cooking oil: 3 tbsp
- Lettuce and herbs: 1 bunch
- Nước chấm dipping sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Mix rice flour, coconut milk, turmeric, and water to form batter.
2.Heat a bánh khọt pan (or takoyaki pan as substitute).
3.Add a little oil, pour batter, and drop shrimp on top.
4.Cover and cook until crispy edges form.
5.Serve with fresh lettuce, herbs, and dipping sauce.
Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Batter consistency is key—too thick will make pancakes heavy.
- Always cook on medium heat to avoid burning.
- Use coconut milk for richness; don’t substitute with regular milk.
FAQ
Q: Can I make these vegan?
Yes, top with mushrooms or mung beans instead of shrimp.
Q: What pan should I use if I don’t have a special bánh khọt pan?
A takoyaki pan or mini muffin tin works as a creative substitute.
Q: How do I serve them?
Wrap each pancake with lettuce and herbs before dipping into sauce.
Summary
Crispy, savory, and fun to eat—bánh khọt is the ultimate Vietnamese street snack to share with family or friends.
🔹 Recipe 3: Grilled Pork Skewers (Nem Nướng)
About this Recipe
Grilled pork skewers are smoky, juicy, and bursting with umami. Known as nem nướng, these skewers are often enjoyed with rice paper, vermicelli noodles, and fresh herbs, or simply as a tasty appetizer at gatherings.
Ingredients & Measurements
- Ground pork: 500g
- Garlic: 4 cloves (minced)
- Shallots: 2 (finely chopped)
- Fish sauce: 2 tbsp
- Sugar: 1 tbsp
- Black pepper: ½ tsp
- Bamboo skewers: 10 (soaked in water)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Mix ground pork with garlic, shallots, fish sauce, sugar, and pepper.
2.Form pork mixture around skewers evenly.
3.Grill over medium charcoal heat until golden brown and slightly charred.
4.Serve with dipping sauce, rice paper, or vermicelli.
Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Always soak skewers in water to prevent burning.
- Marinate pork for at least 30 minutes for deeper flavor.
- Grill slowly over medium heat for juicy texture.
FAQ
Q: Can I bake instead of grill?
Yes, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes, then broil for char.
Q: What dipping sauce matches best?
Peanut sauce or sweet chili sauce works beautifully.
Q: Can I use chicken instead of pork?
Definitely—chicken or even beef works fine with the same marinade.
Summary
Nem nướng is smoky, flavorful, and satisfying—perfect for parties, BBQs, or as a protein-packed snack.
Final Thoughts
Making Vietnamese appetizers at home isn’t nearly as intimidating as it looks. Each of these recipes—spring rolls, mini pancakes, and grilled skewers—showcases a different side of Vietnam’s rich food culture. They’re not only delicious but also interactive, fun, and great for bringing people together.
So why not try one recipe this weekend? Or better yet, challenge yourself to make all three! Don’t forget to share your results with family and friends—it’s the Vietnamese way to spread joy through food.
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