Easy Vietnamese Appetizers That Will Wow Your Friends

Vietnamese cuisine is known for its vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients, making it a delightful choice for appetizers that can impress your friends. Whether you are hosting a casual get-together or a formal dinner, these easy Vietnamese appetizers are sure to wow your guests. Let’s explore some delicious options that are both simple to prepare and rich in taste.

1. Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn)

One of the most popular Vietnamese appetizers, spring rolls, or gỏi cuốn, are light and refreshing. They consist of rice paper wrappers filled with fresh vegetables, herbs, and proteins such as shrimp, chicken, or tofu. Serve them with a side of hoisin-peanut sauce or nuoc cham for added flavor.

Ingredients:

  • Rice paper wrappers
  • Shrimp or tofu
  • Fresh herbs (mint, cilantro)
  • Rice noodles
  • Sliced vegetables (lettuce, carrots, cucumbers)
  • Peanut sauce or nuoc cham for dipping

Instructions:

  1. Soak rice paper wrappers in warm water until soft.
  2. Lay out the wrapper and add a handful of noodles, sliced vegetables, and protein in the center.
  3. Top with fresh herbs and fold the sides of the wrapper over the filling, rolling tightly.
  4. Serve with dipping sauce.

2. Vietnamese Meatballs (Bò Viên)

These flavorful Vietnamese meatballs are perfect for serving on a platter. Made with ground beef, herbs, and spices, they are both succulent and flavorful. They can be served with a spicy dipping sauce or added to noodle soup.

Ingredients:

  • Ground beef
  • Garlic and shallots
  • Fish sauce
  • Black pepper
  • Fresh herbs (like cilantro and scallions)
  • Chili sauce (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix ground beef with minced garlic, shallots, fish sauce, black pepper, and fresh herbs.
  2. Form the mixture into small balls.
  3. Fry or steam the meatballs until cooked through.
  4. Serve warm with chili sauce.

3. Crispy Vietnamese Fried Wontons (Hoành Thánh Chiên)

Crispy Vietnamese fried wontons are a crowd-pleaser. Stuffed with a flavorful filling, these bite-sized appetizers are ideal for dipping and sharing.

Ingredients:

  • Wonton wrappers
  • Ground pork or chicken
  • Shallots, minced
  • Carrots, grated
  • Fish sauce
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, combine ground meat, minced shallots, grated carrots, and fish sauce.
  2. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each wonton wrapper and fold to seal, creating a small pocket.
  3. Heat oil in a pan and fry the wontons until golden brown.
  4. Drain on paper towels and serve with sweet chili sauce.

4. Vietnamese Egg Rolls (Chả Giò)

These deliciously crunchy egg rolls are filled with a mixture of meat, vermicelli noodles, and vegetables, making them a perfect appetizer. They are often served with lettuce for wrapping and a variety of dipping sauces.

Ingredients:

  • Egg roll wrappers
  • Ground pork or shrimp
  • Vermicelli noodles
  • Carrots, minced
  • Onions, chopped
  • Fish sauce
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

  1. Soak vermicelli noodles in hot water until soft, then drain and chop finely.
  2. Mix the ground meat, noodles, minced carrots, onions, and fish sauce in a bowl.
  3. Place a tablespoon of the mixture on an egg roll wrapper, roll tightly, and seal the edges.
  4. Fry in hot oil until crispy and golden brown