Simple and Fresh Vietnamese Appetizers to Serve Today

Vietnamese cuisine is celebrated for its vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients, making it a perfect choice for appetizers that impress without being overly complicated. Here are some simple and fresh Vietnamese appetizers that you can serve today, sure to delight your guests.

1. Gỏi Cuốn (Fresh Spring Rolls)

Gỏi cuốn, or fresh spring rolls, are a staple in Vietnamese cuisine. Made with rice paper, these rolls are typically filled with shrimp, fresh herbs, rice noodles, and crunchy vegetables. Serve them with a homemade peanut sauce or nuoc cham for a refreshing dip.

Ingredients:

  • Rice paper wrappers
  • Rice vermicelli noodles
  • Shrimp, cooked and sliced
  • Fresh mint and cilantro
  • Lettuce leaves
  • Optional: sliced carrots or cucumber

Instructions:

1. Soak the rice vermicelli noodles in hot water until tender and drain.
2. Fill a shallow bowl with warm water and soak the rice paper until pliable.
3. Place the rice paper on a clean surface and layer the noodles, shrimp, herbs, and vegetables in the center.
4. Fold in the sides and roll tightly.
5. Serve with peanut sauce or nuoc cham.

2. Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Sizzling Pancakes)

Bánh xèo are savory pancakes that are fun to make and eat. Made from rice flour and turmeric, they are crispy and usually filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. These pancakes are best served with fresh lettuce and herbs for wrapping.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rice flour
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • Shrimp, sliced
  • Pork, thinly sliced
  • Bean sprouts
  • Fresh mint and lettuce

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix rice flour, coconut milk, turmeric, and a pinch of salt to create a batter.
2. Heat oil in a skillet and pour in a ladle of batter, swirling to coat the skillet.
3. Layer shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts on one half of the pancake.
4. Cook until the edges turn crispy, fold, and serve with lettuce and fresh herbs.

3. Chả Giò (Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls)

Chả giò, or Vietnamese fried spring rolls, are another crowd-pleasing appetizer. These are deep-fried rolls filled with a mixture of ground meat, mushrooms, and vegetables, served with nuoc cham for an extra kick.

Ingredients:

  • Spring roll wrappers
  • Ground pork or chicken
  • Wood ear mushrooms, finely chopped
  • Carrots, finely shredded
  • Onion, minced
  • Vermicelli noodles, cooked and chopped

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix ground meat, mushrooms, carrots, onion, and vermicelli.
2. Place a spoonful of filling on a spring roll wrapper, fold, and seal the edges.
3. Heat oil in a deep fryer and fry the spring rolls until golden brown.
4. Serve hot with nuoc cham on the side.

4. Cháo Ếch (Vietnamese Porridge with Duck)

Cháo ếch is a warm, comforting duck porridge that can be served as a hearty appetizer. Though it may seem complex, using pre-cooked or leftover duck makes it a quick dish.

Ingredients:

  • Cooked duck, shredded
  • Rice
  • Ginger, minced
  • Spring onions, chopped
  • Chicken stock

Instructions:

1. Rinse rice and simmer it with chicken stock and ginger until soft.
2. Stir in shredded duck and cook