• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cooking with Lane
  • Home
  • Vietnamese Recipes
  • Lao Recipes
  • Thai Recipes
  • About Lane
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Vietnamese Recipes
  • Thai Recipes
  • Lao Recipes
  • Meet Lane
  • Shop Ingredients
  • Shop Cooking Tools
  • FREE Resource Library
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Spring Rolls vs Summer Rolls - What's the Difference?

    Spring Rolls vs Summer Rolls - What's the Difference?

    Last Updated Date: Oct 4, 2021 | Published: Feb 21, 2021 by Lane Souvannalith

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Email

    Table of Contents

    • In this post, spring rolls and summer rolls are compared side by side so that you know the difference between both of rolls dishes.
    • What is the main difference between spring rolls and summer rolls?
    • All Summer Rolls Are Spring Rolls
    • Not All Spring Rolls Are Summer Rolls
    • Some Egg Rolls Are Spring Rolls
    • All Summer Rolls are Salad Rolls
    • Variations of Spring Rolls and Summer Rolls
    • What dipping sauce is served with spring rolls versus summer rolls?
    • General Ingredients Used in Spring Rolls and Summer Rolls
    • Frequently Asked Questions About Asian Rolls
    • Summary of Spring Rolls vs Summer Rolls
    • Posts You Might Like

    In this post, spring rolls and summer rolls are compared side by side so that you know the difference between both of rolls dishes.

    Spring rolls and summer rolls are generally dishes that are common in Asian cuisine. At restaurants, often the names of these dishes are interchanged. In this post, you're going to get an overview of the difference between these two delicious Asian rolls!

    spring roll vs salad roll

    What is the main difference between spring rolls and summer rolls?

    Spring rolls are generally made by rolling a thin wrapper (made of wheat or rice paper) with ingredients like pork and carrots. There are a lot of spring roll variations because a lot of countries and regional locations have their own set of ingredients used for the filling. Some spring rolls can be fried, others are not. Summer rolls are generally associated with Vietnamese cuisine that wraps cooked vermicelli noodles, shrimp, pork, and mint in a moist rice paper. Summer rolls are generally not fried. All summer rolls can be categorized as spring rolls, but not all spring rolls can be summer rolls.

    All Summer Rolls Are Spring Rolls

    Summer rolls are generally associated with the vermicelli, shrimp, and pork that is rolled in rice paper generally found at Vietnamese restaurants. It's often served with Vietnamese fish sauce or peanut dipping sauce.

    All Vietnamese summer rolls are classified as spring rolls or you'll even hear them called salad rolls due to the use of lettuce. Summer rolls are generally associated with Southeast Asian cuisine.

    spring-roll-vs-summer-roll-comparison

    Not All Spring Rolls Are Summer Rolls

    Spring rolls can have a crunchy, crisp exterior or have a smooth, soft outer shell. Spring rolls can be made by frying the roll with the ingredients or with the ingredients wrapped with damp rice paper. I know it's confusing, but here's the key takeaway: summer rolls (which can be called spring rolls) are rolls with ingredients that are wrapped with rice paper.

    Some Egg Rolls Are Spring Rolls

    Often, Vietnamese rolls that are fried are often classified as both egg rolls or spring rolls, depending on what restaurant you go to. For example, in this post where I made Vietnamese rolls that are made of pork, carrots, and other ingredients, and then fried, I called them egg rolls. But they can also be called spring rolls.

    There are also variations that have the rice paper that are also fried. These are known as fried spring rolls or fried summer rolls. The fried rice paper variety are popular in North Vietnam.

    difference between spring roll vs egg roll

    All Summer Rolls are Salad Rolls

    Summer rolls and salad rolls are interchangeable terms to reference the use of damp rice paper that wraps vermicelli noodles, pork, seafood, and vegetable leaves. 

    Variations of Spring Rolls and Summer Rolls

    Across Asia, most countries have their own versions of spring roll recipes. However, summer rolls and salad rolls are generally found specifically in Southeast Asian countries. In Indonesia, there are Lumpia Basah which are un-fried and Lumpia Goreng which are the fried version. Cambodia's version is known as Nime Chow which usually include herbs and shrimp.

    What dipping sauce is served with spring rolls versus summer rolls?

    Fried spring rolls are generally served with a sweet Vietnamese fish sauce recipe. The non-fried spring rolls and summer rolls can be served with either the sweet Vietnamese fish sauce recipe or a peanut dipping sauce.

    General Ingredients Used in Spring Rolls and Summer Rolls

    Spring Roll Ingredients (Fried)

    Spring roll fried ingredients usually vary depending on country, but generally include carrots, pork, and clear cellophane glass noodles wrapped in thin flour spring roll wrappers.

    vietnamese egg roll vs chinese egg roll

    Spring Roll (also known as Summer Roll) Ingredients (non-Fried)

    Spring roll fresh ingredients usually include vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, shrimp, and slices of pork wrapped in damp rice papers.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Asian Rolls

    Are spring rolls fried?

    Spring rolls can be both fried or served with fresh rice paper. Spring rolls can refer to either a roll with a crunchy exterior or a soft, chewy exterior.

    Summary of Spring Rolls vs Summer Rolls

    Spring rolls and summer rolls have been the entry point to Southeast Asian cuisine, introduced through Asian American restaurants across the country. Now that you know that spring rolls are known also as summer rolls and that there are non-fried and fried versions, I hope you are able to now order or make the Asian roll you really are eyeing!

    Posts You Might Like

    • Vietnamese Spring Roll (non-fried) Recipe
    • Vietnamese Egg Roll (fried) Recipe
    • Vietnamese Peanut Sauce Recipe
    • Vietnamese Nuoc Mam Fish Sauce Recipe
    • Difference Between Chinese Egg Roll and Vietnamese Egg Roll
    • Vietnamese Summer Roll Recipe (Ground Pork and Shrimp)


    Many of the links on this blog are affiliate links. CookingwithLane.com receives a small comission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. CookingwithLane.com is a participant in the Amazon LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.


    Are you too intimidated by your local Asian grocery store?

    Let me help you out!  I'll send you a free shopping list to your email inbox that will help you navigate your next visit. 

    Sign up now to open up a whole new world of flavor!

    « Authentic Lao Jeow Het – Mushroom Dipping Sauce
    Larb vs Nam Sod - What's the difference? »

    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Lane

    lane souvannalith
    Hi, I'm Lane! I love sharing my love of authentic Vietnamese, Lao, and Thai food! I moved into the states in the 1980s. During my life change, I brought along with my delicious recipes from Vietnam (my descent), Laos (where I was born), and Thailand (where I was a refugee during the war). I'm passionate about showing how anyone can make these delicious cuisines and how you can make it right at home! Learn more ...

    Recipe Search

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Meet Lane
    • Web Stories
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Contact Me

    Recipe Index

    • Asian Desserts
    • Asian Noodles
    • Asian Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Asian Food Comparisons
    • Asian Soups
    • Southeast Asian Rice

    Asian Ingredients

    • Coconut Cream
    • Fish Sauce
    • Kaffir Lemon Leaves
    • Palm Sugar
    • Shallots
    • Sticky Rice

    Copyright © 2021 Cooking with Lane, Sengerson LLC

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Print