Vietnamese rice paper salad originated in Tây Ninh, Vietnam. Initially, people used leftover rice paper scraps from production factories, combining them with a bit of oil, fried shallots, chili salt, and shrimp powder for a homemade treat. Gradually, this dish became familiar to the local community and quickly spread to other regions.
Origin of Vietnamese Rice Paper Salad
Rice paper salad originated in Trảng Bàng, Tây Ninh, dating back to the 18th century. In the past, this area had a traditional craft village specializing in making sun-dried rice paper.
Over time, Tây Ninh rice paper has been transformed into many different dishes, from Tây Ninh spring rolls, Tây Ninh chili salt rice paper to grilled rice paper, dipped rice paper and finally, the famous rice paper salad. Not only in Tây Ninh, but this famous rice paper salad is also available in many places across Vietnam.
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Initially, Vietnamese rice paper salad was made from leftover rice paper scraps from factories, mixed with a bit of cooking oil, chili salt, and fried shallots. However, through the creativity of amateur chefs, people have started adding many other ingredients to create unique and attractive versions of rice paper salad.
One of them, which cannot be ignored, is Saigon rice paper salad – a super delicious and attractive snack with many flavors such as butter rice paper, pork crackling rice paper salad, and chili sauce rice paper salad. Each type of dish carries a unique culinary character, making it unforgettable for any tourist.
How many calories are in rice paper salad?
According to many studies, a 100g bag of Vietnamese rice paper salad mixed with dried beef, chili sauce, dried onion, etc., contains about 250-300 calories. The calorie content may vary depending on the flavor, but overall, the calorie content will not change too much.
Does eating Vietnamese rice paper salad make you fat?
The answer is yes. Vietnamese rice paper salad is quite high in calories, fat, and starch but lacks fiber. Therefore, if you eat too much and do not supplement other nutrients for your body, it can lead to weight gain and excess fat.
Our advice is that you should avoid eating too much of this kind of snack, especially if you’re trying to lose weight or follow a diet.
How to make Vietnamese rice paper salad
For the main ingredients, to make Vietnamese rice paper salad, you’ll need rice paper cut into small strips, chopped Vietnamese coriander, boiled and peeled quail eggs, dried beef, mango, lime, chili, roasted peanuts, green onions, Tây Ninh shrimp paste, and some other seasonings. It’s easy to see that the ingredients are not difficult to find or expensive, making it suitable for everyone.
Once you have all the ingredients ready, the process of making Vietnamese rice paper salad begins. The rice paper is cut into small, bite-sized pieces. The Vietnamese coriander is washed and chopped. The quail eggs are boiled and peeled, and the dried beef is sliced thinly. All of these ingredients are then combined in a large bowl with Tây Ninh shrimp paste and mixed well with chopsticks. Finally, fried shallots and Vietnamese coriander are added and mixed together.
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It’s important to maintain good hygiene throughout the preparation process, and use seasonings judiciously to avoid making the dish too salty or bland. Make sure to mix everything thoroughly so that each strand of rice paper is evenly coated with the seasoning.
A delicious Vietnamese rice paper salad is not only about taste but also presentation. The rice paper strands should be slightly chewy but not too soft. The dish offers a delightful combination of sweet and sour flavors from the lime, the chewy texture of the rice paper, the richness of peanuts and quail eggs, the savory aroma of dried beef, and the freshness of Vietnamese coriander. The chili and Tây Ninh shrimp paste add a spicy and salty kick. To preserve freshness, the salad should be packaged in a plastic bag to prevent air exposure and consumed immediately after preparation.
Vietnamese cuisine is incredibly diverse, ranging from elaborate dishes served at formal gatherings to simple everyday fare, each with its own unique flavors and characteristics. Among the most popular and trendy foods today, especially among the youth, is street food, and rice paper salad is a prime example.
