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Almost every country in Asia has its own interpretation of spring rolls, or egg rolls in the United States. In the Philippines, spring rolls are called lumpia.
In this lumpia recipe, Marvin, a native Filipino who blogs at Burnt Lumpia will explain different types of lumpia and share lumpiang Shanghai recipe with us.
What Is a Lumpia?
Many people wonder what does lumpia mean? Lumpia is a Filipino word and it comes from the Chinese spring roll, with veggies (like cabbage and carrots), meats (usually pork), and/or seafood (sometimes shrimp) as the filling.
Different Types of Lumpia
There are many types of lumpia, here are some of the most popular ones:
- Lumpiang Sariwa refers to “fresh” lumpia with veggies and meat as the filling. You use a thin homemade crepe, instead of spring roll wrappers to wrap them.
- Lumpiang Hubad (naked lumpia) is made without a wrapper.
- Lumpiang Prito is Filipino fried spring roll with meat and a variety of vegetables as the filling.
How to Make Lumpia?
Below is the recipe for Lumpiang Shanghai with vegetables and ground pork as the filling. For serving, you dip them into Chinese sweet and sour sauce.
Lumpiang Shanghai are also thinner and smaller than its other fried counterparts. Lumpiang Shanghai are very easy to make as you just roll them up. They are perfect finger foods for parties!
Difference between Lumpia and Egg Rolls
Lumpia is the Filipino version of fried spring rolls. Egg rolls are American version of Chinese spring rolls. Both share the same origin but they taste and look different, with egg rolls being bigger and “fatter” in shape.
Can You Freeze Lumpia?
Yes, you can make lumpia ahead of time and freeze them in the refrigerator. In case you are wondering how long does frozen lumpia last? The answer is a long time. You can freeze them for months in the freezer without going bad.
Just make sure that you thaw them to room temperature before deep-frying.
How Many Calories per Serving?
Each roll is only 65 calories.
What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?
For a classic Filipino meal, I recommend the following recipes.
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Lumpia (Filipino Spring Rolls)
Ingredients
- 1 package Lumpia wrappers (Chinese or Vietnamese spring roll wrappers meant for frying can be used (25 sheets))
- 2 lbs. (1kg) ground pork
- 5 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
- 1 inch (2.5cm) ginger, peeled and minced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder (optional)
- 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 oz. (175g) cabbage, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Using a serrated knife, cut the square lumpia wrappers in half so that you have two stacks of rectangular wrappers. Place a damp paper towel over the wrappers to keep them from drying out as you work.
- Combine the pork, cabbage, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, chicken bouillon powder (if using), eggs, and ground black pepper in a large bowl. Using your hands, or a rubber spatula, mix the filling well so that the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Place one of the rectangular wrappers vertically on your work surface with the short edge facing you. Place a heaping teaspoon of the filling on the wrapper about half an inch from the edge closest to you. Grasp the bottom edge of the wrapper and roll it up and over the filling, continuing to roll until 2 inches of wrapper remain.
- Dip two fingers into a bowl of water, then moisten the last 2 inches (5cm) of wrapper with your fingers. Finish rolling the lumpia, then rest it on its seam. Continue rolling with the rest of the filling and lumpia wrappers.
- At this point, you can freeze your rolled lumpia if you wish by placing them in freezer bags and then into your freezer.
- To cook the lumpia, fill a large frying pan with about 1/2-inch (1cm) of vegetable oil. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Gently place the lumpia into the hot oil and fry until golden brown on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes total (if frying frozen lumpia, it will take 1 to 2 minutes longer).
- Place the fried lumpia on paper towels and serve immediately with sweet and sour sauce or chili sauce (bottled from the store is fine).
Notes
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
What’s the best oil to cook in?
Vegetable oil.
Can I use phyllo sheets in stead of spring roll wrappers?
No, phyllo sheets are too thin and won’t work well.
For sauces, one can use Thai Sweet Chili sauce or a Filipino vinegar-soy sauce-garluc dipping sauce called suka.
Thanks for the info.
Outstanding!!!!!!
Thanks!
My friend from the Philipines makes lumpia in batches and freezes it. She takes it out and cooks it when she wants lumpia. You can freeze before cooking
Are Spring roll wrappers made of wheat r are they gluten free? Can I use rice paper wrappers?
Wheat. Yes you can!
Love dipping lumpia in “Kim’s Pink Sauce” Thank you for a your great Filipolino recipe. Need a good pancett recipe please
Need a good pancett recipe please
Mmm, mmm! Made them trust now and they’re delicious! Definitely a keeper!
Are the spring roll wrappers the same a egg roll wrappers in most stores or are they thinner?
Thinner. Don’t use egg roll wrappers.
Can they be reheated and still be crispy?
Should be OK.
I reheat lumpias in the toaster oven and they come out crispy.
they’re best eaten hot and fresh, or if they’re sitting out for a party. they’re not as good when they’re eaten as leftovers after they’ve been refrigerated.
I ve cooked them in a air dryer, wouldn’t cook any other way, so crispy ,NOT one bit greasy. LOVE THEM!!!!
Hi Debbie,
when you cook it in the air fryer for how long and at what temperature?
Also do I cook the meat before put it in the wrapper?
Thank you,
AJ
350 degrees, 10 min
I always cook my meat first. ?
If you cook the meat first prior to wrapping doesn’t the meat become dry and hard?
It did for me! I tried it once cooking my pork first, but then once cooked it was dry and not very appetizing! I only ever now make them raw and then freeze a big batch. No, I cannot get spring roll/Lumpia wrappers in my one store town and I make them with egg roll wrappers and they are just as good and crispy. I am doing another large batch today since cabbage has gone on sale this week :)
Where is the cooking video!
The cooking video is in the post, if you cannot see it you have ad blocker on.
Yes you want to cook and roll prior to freezing and/or cooking
Thank you for these recipes; just what I wanted!
How do you cook them in the air fryer?