How are rice paper wrappers?

Rice paper wrappers or thin rice papers are so familiar in the meals in Vietnam. The people use them to wrap spring rolls, eat pancakes with vegetable, and make pork rolls.

The basic wrappers are made by hand from 100% rice and a little bit of salt; however, nowadays many factories can produce them by machine, and add a little tapioca flour. Each of the thin wrappers can roll from 4 – 6 rolls, depending on large or small rolls.

The thin rice papers are soft and flexible enough to wrap spring rolls without having to apply or dip them in water. Typically, this kind of wrapper absorbs very little oil, which is better for health.

rice paper wrappers
The rice paper wrapper is very thin like a paper. ©Vietnamdrive

How to choose a rice paper wrapper

When choosing this wrapper, you should prioritize choosing a rice paper wrapper with moderate thickness. Do not choose the hard type because it will be crushed and difficult to roll, while the flexible kind when being fried will not keep the crispiness. Meanwhile, if the rice paper is too thick, it will make the spring roll hard and chewy.

Currently, there are popular types of rice paper wrappers:

1. Basic thin rice paper wrappers (Banh Trang Gao) have opaque white color that is often used to roll fried spring rolls of the North. Also, they are easy to break and melt in the mouth.

basic rice paper wrappers
Th basic wrappers are used for available-to-eat food. ©Vietnamdrive

2. Thread rice paper (Banh Trang Re): When frying it, it is very crispy and melts in the mouth. Often used for fried shrimp rolls. You will see clear threads on the rice paper.

thread rice paper wrapper
Spring rolls are wrapped with Banh Trang Re. @hanoi_life

Depending on what you use, you can choose the right kind for spring rolls or shrimp rolls.

It should be noted that when you use to wrap food processed to eat directly, thin rice paper wrappers (Banh Trang Gao) is a good choice. Vietnamese people never select thread rice paper wrappers to roll pancakes, raw vegetables with meat, etc.

Another requirement in choosing this product is that the wrapper is not broken, torn, moldy, or dusty. When it has a strange smell or sour taste, you need to choose another one.

How to make this rice paper wrapper

There are two types that you can see:

  • wet or fresh rice paper wrappers are made to be served the same day. This type is often used to make pho rolls, and shrimp rolls with meat, … to eat immediately.
  • dried fresh rice paper wrappers, which are sun-dried or dried by machine for longer storage. Depending on the place of production and the way of packaging, dry rice paper can be kept for 1-3 months. This type is often produced by many enterprises using modern production lines.

From the above two kinds, Vietnamdrive will show you how to make wet rice paper wrappers.

You need to prepare all the materials and tools below:

  • A round pot with a diameter of 40 – 60 cm.
  • A clean cloth 10 – 15 cm larger than the diameter of the pot.
  • A thin stick or knife to pick up the rice paper.
  • A round big spoon to pick it out.
  • Rice flour is about 250 grams. It more or less depends on how many you want to make.

Starting:

  • Take nearly half a pot of water.
  • Spread the cloth to the top of the pot. Keep it as straight as possible to make rice paper easier.
  • Close the lid, and put the pot on the stove to bring it to a boil.
  • Mix the powder with water in a small bowl until it becomes light liquid enough for you to spread evenly over the fabric. Usually, 250 grams of rice flour are mixed with 700-800 ml of water. Add a little salt to give the wrappers a rich flavor.

Making:

  1. Scoop a spoonful of rice flour, and pour evenly over the surface of the cloth over the pot of boiling water. Take the spoon to spread it evenly, and move the spoon into a circle evenly to create a nice thin circle on the surface.
  2. Cover the pot with the lid, and wait 2 minutes for the ingredients to be steamed.
  3. Open the lid of the pot, and use a thin stick or a knife to gently remove the rice paper on the pot surface. You’ve got a wet rice paper wrapper.

The step of taking off rice paper after steaming from the surface of the cloth on the pot is considered the most difficult step to do. So you need to practice a few times, possibly ruining a few.

Here is a video to tell about making thick rice paper, and black sesame is added to create more flavor. Making the thick one the same with a thin rice paper wrapper.

Better to see this clip on Youtube or desktop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy rice paper wrappers?

These wrappers are popular for daily food, so you can easily see them at many Vietnamese supermarkets or local markets, even in small retail shops. But, it is better to get good ones at the supermarkets when they preserve them better.

Do rice paper wrappers get gluten-free?

Rice paper wrappers get gluten-free as the product group of rice, soybeans, corn, potatoes and mung beans. However, you need to pay attention to a few modern wrappers that can add other ingredients besides rice and salt, so those ingredients can contain gluten if they are.

Is the rice wrappers healthy?

It is because the main materials of the rice paper wrap come from rice which contains many special nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin B6, iron, calcium, protein, and potassium, which can be good for your health. Despite that, you may find the rice paper rolls can be fried, so the oil that comes from this way can influence your body.

Are rice paper wrappers different from rice paper?

Yes and no. Why? Not different because both kinds of these are made from rice flour, nearly the same method. But, they are different because rice paper wrappers are much thinner, which are used to wrap the food. Meanwhile, rice paper often refers to thicker ones, which can be grilled before eating.

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    About the author

    The editorial staff of Vietnamdrive is a team of travel experts managed by Mr. Thom who has worked in tourism for 14 years. Trusted by thousands of tourists from all over the world.