What to Serve with Spring Rolls: 34 Tasty Sides to Eat With Spring Rolls

Last updated on August 8th, 2024

Spring rolls: crispy, golden cylinders of joy that somehow manage to be both light and indulgent at the same time. But as delicious as they are, spring rolls tend to demand accompaniment to transform them from a simple appetizer into a well-rounded meal. Choosing the right accompaniments can make your spring rolls even more enjoyable. Today, I’m sharing with you several options to serve alongside your spring rolls!

What are Spring Rolls?

Spring rolls are a type of rolled and stuffed dish that is found in a variety of Asian cuisine. The phrase “spring rolls” refers to a specific technique of cooking rather than referring to a single dish.

Essentially, this method of cooking involves stuffing meat and vegetables inside an edible wrapper, then rolling and frying. These rolls can be served alongside a dipping sauce of your choice (such as sweet chili sauce and its substitutes).

What to Eat With Spring Rolls

As you can probably tell, spring rolls pair well with almost anything. I have consumed many a spring roll in my day, and these are just some of my favorites from a vast pool of dishes to choose from!

Fried Rice

Fried rice is super easy to make, and can be adjusted to suit everyone’s preference. You can include mushrooms, eggs, chicken, fish or shrimp to your fried rice.

When making this dish (or even reheating fried rice), don’t be afraid to add some spices. Add a sprinkle of chili powder to your caramelized onions, and a drizzle of teriyaki sauce, followed by anything else you can think of.

This flavorful fried rice will certainly complement your side of delicious crispy spring rolls. Whether they’re stuffed with meat or veggies, you’ll certainly have a satiating meal!

Hot and Sour Soup

When it comes to traditional Asian side dishes, hot and sour soup should be at the top of the list.

You can add chicken, mushrooms, bamboo shots and cornstarch to the mix. You’ll also need to include ingredients that’ll help create a sweet and sour flavor to the soup.

The meaty spring roll filling, followed by a delectable crunch, will contrast perfectly with the hot sour soup.

Chow Mein Noodles

To create a traditional Asian meal, serve scrumptious chow mein noodles alongside your spring rolls.

Traditionally, chow mein is prepared by stir-frying noodles with vegetables, tofu, and occasionally meat. The distinct taste comes from the inclusion of soy sauce.

There are many methods of preparing chow mein noodles. You can have them steamed or fried, depending on the type of sauce and toppings you wish to include.

Additionally, you can also add grilled vegetables, tofu, beef, chicken or shrimp to your chow mein, topped with soy sauce, thick brown sauce or creamed mushroom soup.

Pineapple Fried Rice

It’s a delicious Thai-inspired dish that features fluffy rice stir-fried with juicy pineapple chunks, cashews, and a variety of vegetables, all seasoned with a hint of curry powder. The sweetness of the pineapple complements the savory spring rolls beautifully.

For an impressive presentation, consider serving it in a hollowed-out pineapple half. To make it a more substantial meal, add some shrimp or chicken. Don’t forget to include plenty of cashews – they add a delightful crunch that enhances the overall texture of the dish.

Coconut Cilantro Rice

Coconut cilantro rice offers a creamy, herby counterpoint to crispy spring rolls. The key to this fragrant side dish is cooking the rice in coconut milk instead of water. This method infuses every grain with a subtle sweetness and richness that greatly enhances the flavor profile.

Just before serving, fold in a generous amount of chopped cilantro. For added texture and flavor, consider toasting some coconut flakes and sprinkling them on top. 

Kimchi Fried Rice

This Korean-inspired rice brings intensity to the table and creates an interesting contrast with the milder flavors typically found in spring rolls.

The main ingredient is kimchi – spicy fermented cabbage that’s a staple in Korean cuisine. Stir-fry it with day-old rice, a splash of gochujang (Korean red chili paste), and your choice of vegetables. Adding a fried egg on top provides extra richness and protein.

Lemon Grass Shrimp Rice

It starts with jasmine rice, which is then tossed with sautéed shrimp, minced lemongrass, and a variety of herbs such as mint and basil. The result is a fragrant, slightly citrusy rice dish that complements spring rolls well. To add some textural variety, consider topping the dish with crushed peanuts. This addition provides a pleasant crunch that contrasts nicely with the soft rice and tender shrimp.

Roasted Broccoli

For a a quick and healthy side dish to serve alongside deep fried spring rolls, try this delicious roasted broccoli.

If you love a variety of flavors on your plate, why not include corn, tofu, or meat with your roasted broccoli, to elevate your meal? Add a splash of white vinegar to your roasted broccoli, and you’re good to go!

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are the classic comforting side dish to have alongside any meal. There’s so much you can include to this incredibly creamy side, that’ll only make it taste even better than before.

Try shredded cheese, roasted vegetables, mushrooms, salsa, spices, garlic, ranch or shredded chicken. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Coleslaw Salad

When serving spring rolls and wondering what could be the best side dish to serve alongside this mouth-watering treat, try a cold and crunchy coleslaw salad.

Chinese coleslaw salad complements any delicious meal. Try shredding cabbage, red onions, and adding a dribble of vinegar sauce, for an additional and traditional element to this already delicious dish.

Cucumber Salad

Thinly slice crisp cucumbers and toss them with a tangy rice vinegar dressing. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for added texture. This refreshing salad provides a cool contrast to the warm, crispy spring rolls. For extra flavor, consider adding thinly sliced red onions. 

The combination of the cool, crunchy cucumbers and the savory spring rolls creates a balanced and satisfying meal. The simplicity of this salad makes it quick to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.

Mango Salad

Mango salad brings a sweet and tangy element to your spring roll meal. To make it, cut ripe mangoes into small cubes, mix in some chopped red bell peppers for crunch, and cilantro for a fresh taste. For the dressing, combine lime juice and a bit of chili for a zesty flavor. 

This fruity salad balances out the savory taste of spring rolls nicely, it’s especially good with spring rolls filled with shrimp or pork. If you want more crunch, try adding some chopped peanuts or cashews. Not only does this salad taste good, but it also looks pretty on your plate with its bright colors.

Papaya Salad

Papaya salad is a flavorful accompaniment to the richness of spring rolls.

Shred green papaya and mix it with cherry tomatoes and roasted peanuts for varied textures. The dressing typically includes fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar, creating a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. For those who enjoy heat, adding Thai chilies can elevate the dish further.

The crisp texture of the papaya contrasts nicely with the soft interior of spring rolls. 

Stir-Fried Veggie Medley

A stir-fried vegetable mix is a quick and flavorful side dish. It’s customizable and can use a variety of vegetables.

Ingredients often include:

• Bell peppers
• Snap peas
• Carrots
• Baby corn
• Water chestnuts

To prepare:

1. Slice vegetables into similar-sized pieces.
2. Heat oil in a wok or large pan over high heat.
3. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until crisp-tender.
4. Season with soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger.

Tip: Cook vegetables quickly over high heat to maintain crispness.

Seared Bok Choy

Bok choy is a versatile leafy green vegetable that’s quick to prepare and pairs well with Asian flavors. To prepare:

1. Cut baby bok choy in half lengthwise.
2. Sear in a hot pan for 2-3 minutes on each side.
3. Add a small amount of chicken broth and oyster sauce.
4. Cook until the liquid reduces slightly.
5. Top with crispy fried shallots for added texture.

Bok choy has a mild, slightly bitter flavor that complements the flavors in spring rolls.

Garlicky Green Beans

Green beans sautéed with garlic make a simple, flavorful side dish. To prepare:

1. Trim the ends of the green beans.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add minced garlic.
3. Add green beans and sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp.
4. Season with soy sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

This dish adds a savory, garlicky flavor that complements spring rolls well.

Pickled Radish

Pickled radish offers a crisp texture and tangy flavor that complements spring rolls without overpowering them. Daikon radish is commonly used for pickling, but you can also try other varieties like red radishes for added color.

To make quick pickled radishes at home, slice them thinly and soak them in a mixture of vinegar, salt, and sugar. They’ll be ready to eat in about an hour, making them a convenient option for last-minute preparations.

Cucumber Pickles

Cucumber pickles are a familiar option: their cool, crisp texture provides a refreshing contrast to warm spring rolls. You can choose from various styles of cucumber pickles:

1. Dill pickles: These have a tangy, slightly sour taste with a hint of dill flavor.
2. Bread and butter pickles: These are sweeter and have a more complex flavor profile.
3. Quick pickles: Also known as refrigerator pickles, these can be made at home by soaking cucumber slices in vinegar, salt, and spices for a few hours.

Dumplings

Dumplings are pretty similar to spring rolls, in the sense where they’re both used to stuff a variety of ingredients. This is why dumplings make the perfect addition to your spring rolls.

You can stuff your dumplings with anything you wish, like fish, chicken, cheese, fruits, vegetables, or sweets encased a doughy layering. They can be fried, steamed, boiled, simmered, or baked to suit your taste.

Fried dumplings may sound tempting, but try delicious steamed dumplings dipped in soy sauce, and served alongside some crunchy spring rolls. What a feast!

Cheesy Cauliflower

Combine the wonderful earthy flavors of cauliflower with gooey cheese. Cheesy cauliflower makes the perfect accompaniment for spring rolls, as they’re both loaded with vegetables, and harbor a delicious crispy texture.

You can include bacon bits, shredded chicken, mushrooms, or finely chopped almonds to elevate your dish further.

Or why not accompany the cheese with some mayonnaise and salad dressing?

The fabulous creamy texture will complement the delightful crunchiness of spring rolls beautifully.

Mac and Cheese

It may sound odd, to have mac and cheese paired with spring rolls. However, if you love mac and cheese as much as I do, then you’ll understand why they’ll make the perfect pair!

The creamy, gooey cheesiness will complement the crunchy, meaty textures of the spring rolls so that you’ll have an evening meal worth looking forward to.

Take a mouthful of spring rolls, and top that with a spoonful of tender, creamy mac and cheese for the ultimate finale!

Garlic Fried Rice

Garlic fried rice is another delicious dish, that you simply must have alongside your delicious spring rolls. It’s both filling and light enough to let you reach for a few spring rolls as you take devour another spoonful of tender, flavorful garlic fried rice.

And you only need a few ingredients to make it!

• Simply fry some onions, and wait for them to caramelize.
• Next add a tablespoon of minced garlic, and let the mixture release a wonderful fragrance, that’ll have everyone in your house running to the kitchen.
• Add your cooked rice, and stir for a couple of minutes, then add a teaspoon of soy sauce, and mix once again.
• Serve this hot, alongside some freshly fried spring rolls.

Egg Drop Soup

This scrumptious, egg drop soup is a drool-worthy accompaniment to serve with spring rolls. It’s hot, it’s hearty and extremely yummy!

Egg drop soup is typically prepared with ingredients like chicken broth, egg whites, corn starch and all sorts of veggies.

It’s a delicious, refreshing side dish to have with almost any main meal, which is why it’s simply improper to not have it on the list!

Miso Soup

It’s a Japanese soup that’s light but full of flavor. To make it, mix miso paste with hot broth. Add some tofu, seaweed, and green onions. The soup’s taste doesn’t overpower the spring rolls. Instead, it adds a nice contrast.

You can make miso soup more filling by adding soba noodles, as they have a nutty flavor that goes well with the miso. This soup is easy to make and tastes great with crispy spring rolls.

Pho

Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup that might seem strange to eat with spring rolls, but they go well together. Pho has a tasty broth with lots of herbs: this tastes good with crispy spring rolls.

To make pho, cook beef bones with spices like cinnamon and star anise. Strain the broth and pour it over the rice noodles. Add thin slices of beef, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs. People can add their own toppings to their soup or even dip spring rolls in the pho broth for a new way to eat them.

Coconut Curry Soup

The soup is creamy and full of spices. To make it, cook curry paste in coconut oil, add coconut milk, broth, and vegetables like peppers and carrots, and finish with lime juice and cilantro. The creamy soup tastes good when you eat it with bites of crispy spring rolls.

Sushi

Sushi is a very light, and refreshing accompaniment to have alongside spring rolls. The best part is, you can use up your leftovers to make them!

Choose from left over veggies, and fish along with a few of your favorite sliced fruits. Pair this with a dribble of soy sauce and your dinner is complete!

Sweet Sticky Teriyaki Chicken

Teriyaki chicken is another great side dish to serve with spring rolls.

The sticky, sweet teriyaki sauce compliments the spring rolls well, and also includes an effortless combination of flavors that goes down nicely.

Cold Thai Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing

For a quick and easy side dish that promises an abundance of flavor, try this cold Thai noodle salad. The noodles are cooked al dente so they’re wonderfully chewy, and dressed in a spicy peanut sauce that imparts lots of sweet and savory flavors.

Then the inclusion of cilantro brings forth a much needed freshness, followed by a drizzle of lime juice for tart brightness.

This dish is perfect to have alongside egg rolls, because of the apparent crunch in both dishes, that’ll complement each other wonderfully.

Pad Thai

Pad Thai consists of rice noodles cooked with tamarind sauce, bean sprouts, and a protein of your choice such as tofu, chicken, or shrimp. Crushed peanuts and lime are often added as toppings.

The combination of sweet, sour, and savory flavors in Pad Thai works well with the milder taste of spring rolls. The soft texture of the noodles also contrasts nicely with the crispiness of spring roll wrappers.

Vermicelli Noodles

Vermicelli noodles are thin rice noodles commonly used in Vietnamese cuisine. They’re often served in a bowl with grilled meat or tofu, fresh herbs, and a tangy dressing called nuoc cham.

These noodles are typically served cold or at room temperature, making them a refreshing option, especially on warm days, as their light flavor doesn’t overpower the spring rolls.

Soba Noodles

These buckwheat noodles with a distinct nutty flavor are not a traditional pairing with spring rolls, but they can create an interesting combination. Serve soba noodles chilled with a sesame-ginger dressing and some vegetables. The cool temperature and unique flavor of soba noodles provide a good contrast to hot, crispy spring rolls.

Drunken Noodles

Drunken noodles, also known as pad kee mao, are made with wide rice noodles, vegetables, protein, and a spicy sauce. If you enjoy spicy food, drunken noodles can be a good match for spring rolls. The strong flavors can stand up to strongly flavored spring rolls.

Remember to have a cool drink ready if you choose this spicy option.

Dipping Sauces

Finally, there is a massive variety of dipping sauces that pair well with crunchy treats like spring rolls.

Some traditional Asian sauces that you can go for include sweet chili sauce, sweet and spicy sauce, soy-ginger sauce, hot chili oil, hoisin sauce, duck sauce, Thai peanut sauce, and so much more!

To turn things up a notch, you could opt for a dipping sauce from other cuisines, and dip your spring rolls in some Indian-style mirin sauce, dumpling sauce, honey mustard sauce, tartar sauce and more.

Peanut Sauce

This smooth, nutty blend offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with a hint of heat. Making your own is simple: combine creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, minced garlic, and ginger. Adjust the consistency with water as needed.

But it isn’t just for spring rolls! It’s great for dipping vegetables, drizzling over salads, or using as a marinade. Consider making a larger batch to keep in the refrigerator for easy use throughout the week.

Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is a thick, fragrant option that brings a balance of sweet and salty tastes. While store-bought versions work well, making your own allows for customization.

To create homemade hoisin, mix soybean paste, sugar, five-spice powder, garlic, and rice vinegar. The resulting sauce is rich and complex, clinging nicely to spring rolls. Hoisin’s versatility extends beyond dipping; it’s excellent as a glaze for meats, a flavor enhancer for stir-fries, or a condiment for various dishes.

Sweet Chili Sauce

Probably, the most popular choice for spring rolls that provides an initial burst of sweetness followed by a gentle spicy kick. It’s easy to make at home: simmer rice vinegar with sugar, add minced garlic and red chili flakes, then thicken with a cornstarch slurry.

It works also well as a marinade component, a salad dressing ingredient, or a dip for other appetizers.

Spring Rolls Recipe

These spring rolls will quickly become a family favorite. Pair with any of the mentioned dishes in this post for a proper, filling meal, or feel free to experiment eating with your favorite dishes as well!

Ingredients

Filling

• 1 tbsp oil
• 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
• 400g minced turkey
• 6 dried shiitake mushrooms soaked in boiling water
• 1 ½ cup shredded carrot
• 1 ½ cup bean sprouts
• 1 ½ cup shredded green cabbage
• 1 tsp corn flour/corn starch
• 1 ½ tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tsp soy sauce

Rolls

• 15-20 spring rolls wrappers (8 inch squares)
• 2 tsp corn flour (for sealing rolls)
• 1 tbsp water (for sealing rolls)
• Olive oil for frying

How to Make

1. Heat oil in a skillet or wok over high heat. Add garlic, then stir and add turkey. Cook until the meat turns white.
2. Add carrots, beans, cabbage, and mushrooms, then cook for 3 minutes or until the vegetables have wilted. Add cornflour, soy sauce, and oyster sauce, and cook until the liquid disappears. The filling should have dry ingredients, so make sure there’s no liquid whatsoever.
3. Let this cool down, and proceed to the next step.
4. Mix cornflour and water in a bowl. Then carefully peel one spring roll wrapper, and keep the others covered beneath a damp tea towel.
5. Place the wrapper smooth side down, in a diamond shape, then scoop up some of the filling and place it at the bottom of the wrapper. Roll the wrapper halfway, fold the sides in then finish rolling. Use the cornflour mix to seal.
6. Repeat with the remaining spring roll wrappers, till the spring roll filling has finished.
7. Pour oil into a large wok, ensuring that it’s enough to cover the spring rolls. Heat the wok on medium high until hot, then carefully place the prepared spring rolls into the oil, working with 4 or 5 at a time. Fry until deep golden, then remove and transfer to a paper towel to drain.
8. Repeat with remaining spring rolls, then serve and enjoy!

What to Serve with Spring Rolls – Many to Try!

Spring rolls are perfect to snack on, especially when paired with your favorite dipping sauce. But why not whip up a bowl of fried rice, dumplings, or egg drop soup and make a meal out of it?

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