Lumpia Shanghai Recipe (Crispy Filipino Spring Rolls)

Lumpia Shanghai is a delicious and uniquely Filipino version of the classic spring roll. With its crispy wrapper and savory meat filling, this tasty finger food has become a staple appetizer and snack across the Philippines.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn all about the origins, ingredients, and cooking methods for making foolproof Lumpia Shanghai at home. We’ll cover everything from how to choose the best wrappers and fillings, to frying techniques for extra crispy texture. With simple step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and mouthwatering photos, you’ll be ready to enjoy this iconic Filipino dish.

What Makes Lumpia Shanghai Unique?

Unlike Chinese egg rolls or Vietnamese spring rolls, Lumpia Shanghai stands out for its petite size, crisp wrapper, and sweet-savory filling. These bite-sized rolls pack big flavor in every crunchy bite.

Some key attributes that make Lumpia Shanghai special:

• Small and dainty – Lumpia Shanghai are miniature compared to other variations. About 3-4 inches long and 1 inch wide. Easy to pop in your mouth!
• Thin, delicate wrapper – The lumpia wrappers are paper-thin and extra crispy when fried. This gives the rolls an audibly crunchy texture.
• Sweet and savory filling – The filling has a balanced flavor profile, both savory from the ground meat and shrimp, and sweet from various seasonings.
• Widely popular appetizer – Lumpia Shanghai are served across restaurants, gatherings, and special events in the Philippines. A party favorite!
• Quick and easy to make – Part of Lumpia’s appeal is how simple they are to prepare, even for beginners. And fun to eat!

By closely following this authentic recipe, you’ll be able to recreate this iconic Filipino dish right in your own kitchen. Keep reading to learn all the secrets to making the best Lumpia Shanghai!

Why You Should Make Lumpia Shanghai

Here are some of the best reasons to try making your own Lumpia Shanghai:

• Impress guests – Serve up a batch of homemade Lumpia Shanghai at your next gathering. These crispy rolls make a crowd-pleasing party snack or appetizer.
• Fun cooking project – Lumpia Shanghai is easy enough for cooks of all skill levels. It’s a fun food project to make with kids, family, or friends!
• Learn Filipino cuisine – Making Lumpia Shanghai is a tasty introduction to the vibrant flavors of Filipino food. It may spark interest in trying other classic dishes.
• Satisfying crunch – The crisp lumpia wrappers paired with the savory filling makes for an extremely satisfying snack. The texture contrast is what makes them so addictive.
• Portable finger food – Lumpia’s handheld size makes them easy to pick up and eat. Bring them along for picnics, potlucks, or on-the-go.

This recipe will walk you through every step needed to make restaurant-quality Lumpia Shanghai. So grab your lumpia wrappers and let’s get rolling!

What Makes This Lumpia Shanghai Recipe Special

This authentic recipe has been passed down through generations of Filipino families. Follow it closely and you’ll be guaranteed delicious results every time. Here’s what makes it so good:

• Traditional flavor profile – The filling ingredients and seasoning replicate the signature Lumpia Shanghai taste. Savory, slightly sweet, perfectly balanced.
• Foolproof instructions – Step-by-step guidance, from assembling the filling to folding and frying the rolls. Takes the guesswork out of the process.
• Tried and tested tips – Includes tips to ensure you achieve the ideal crispy texture and avoid sogginess. For optimizing the end result.
• Family recipe – These are the same exact recipes Filipinos use to make Lumpia Shanghai in their own homes. Authentic and homemade taste.
• Special equipment recommendations – Details the best lumpia wrapper type, frying oil temperature, and tools for success.

Follow the instructions carefully and you’ll be enjoying restaurant-worthy Lumpia Shanghai in no time! Now let’s get into the ingredients you’ll need.

Lumpia Shanghai Ingredients

Lumpia Shanghai has two main components – the savory filling and the crisp lumpia wrappers. Here are the essential ingredients for both:

For the Filling:

• Ground pork or beef – 10 oz (250g) of ground meat provides substance and flavor
• Peeled shrimp – 6 oz (150g) of small shrimp adds delicate texture
• Onions – 1 small onion, finely chopped
• Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
• Carrots – 1 medium carrot, shredded
• Dried mushrooms – 5 dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked and chopped
• Seasonings – Fish sauce, sugar, chicken bouillon powder, black pepper, oyster sauce

For the Wrappers:

• Lumpia wrappers – 20 (10 inch) round spring roll or lumpia wrappers
• Cooking oil – For frying (canola, vegetable, peanut, or rice bran oil)

The ideal shrimp for Lumpia Shanghai is tiny bay shrimp. But small peeled and deveined shrimp works too. For the mushrooms, most types of dried Asian mushrooms can be reconstituted and used.

Now that you’ve gathered the ingredients, let’s go over the step-by-step cooking process!

How to Make Lumpia Shanghai Step-By-Step

Follow these instructions to make perfect Lumpia Shanghai every time:

Prepare the Filling

1. In a skillet or wok, sauté the onions and garlic over medium heat until fragrant and translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
2. Add the ground pork and cook while breaking up the meat until no longer pink, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in the shrimp, carrots, and mushrooms. Cook for 2-3 minutes until shrimp is opaque.
4. Season with fish sauce, sugar, chicken bouillon, black pepper and oyster sauce. Adjust to taste.
5. Remove from heat and transfer filling to a plate. Let cool completely before assembling the lumpia.

Assemble the Lumpia Rolls

1. Fill a small bowl with water to use as a sealing agent.
2. Lay 1 lumpia wrapper on a clean work surface into a diamond orientation. Make sure corners point to the top, bottom, left and right.
3. Place 2-3 tablespoons of filling near the bottom third of the wrapper, leaving a border on both sides.
4. Fold the bottom corner over the filling, then fold in the two side corners.
5. Roll upwards to form a tight cylinder, sealing edges with water as you go.
6. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling. Cover assembled lumpia with plastic wrap if not frying immediately.

Fry the Lumpia

1. Heat at least 2 inches of oil in a deep fryer, wok or saucepan to 350°F-375°F.
2. Fry lumpia in batches without overcrowding, 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
3. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
4. Serve lumpia Shanghai hot with dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Frying tip: The oil should maintain a temperature of 350-375°F. If it gets too hot, the wrappers will burn. Too low and they’ll be greasy. Use a thermometer and adjust heat as needed.

Helpful Tips for Making Lumpia Shanghai

Follow these simple tips for guaranteed perfectly crispy Lumpia Shanghai:

• Use very thin lumpia wrappers – Thinner skins get extra crispy when fried. Look for round “lumpia Shanghai” style wrappers.
• Don’t overfill wrappers – Too much filling will cause them to tear and unfold. About 2-3 tbsp filling per wrapper is ideal.
• Keep edges sealed – Be diligent about sealing edges with a bit of water so filling stays snugly rolled up.
• Allow oil to reheat between batches – Let oil come fully back to temp before frying more. Prevents temperature drops.
• Don’t overcrowd the fryer – Fry just 2 or 3 lumpia at a time so they cook evenly.
• Use paper towels – Drain fried lumpia on paper towels to soak up excess grease for a crisper texture.
• Serve immediately – Enjoy lumpia Shanghai right out of the fryer while still warm and crispy.

Follow these tips consistently and you’ll be rewarded with the satisfying crunch of perfect lumpia every time!

How to Serve Lumpia Shanghai

Lumpia Shanghai are typically served as finger food alongside dipping sauces for dunking. Here are some traditional pairings:

Dipping Sauces

• Sweet chili sauce – The most popular condiment, with sweet and tangy flavor
• Soy sauce and vinegar – A simple dip made with equal parts soy sauce and distilled white vinegar
• Garlic vinegar – Vinegar infused with crushed garlic cloves and black pepper

Side Items

• Lettuce leaves – Use like little wraps or scoops for the lumpia
• Fresh herbs – Mint, basil, cilantro add freshness
• Vegetable sticks – Carrots, cucumbers, jicama for crunch
• Limes – Spritz of tangy lime juice enhances flavors

Part of the fun of lumpia is mixing and matching various dipping sauces, herbs, and vegetables to complement the rolls. Get creative and come up with your own perfect flavor combinations!

Frequently Asked Questions About Lumpia Shanghai

Here are answers to some common questions about making and enjoying this Filipino specialty:

Can I prepare lumpia Shanghai in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the uncooked lumpia up to 4 hours ahead stored in the fridge. You can also freeze assembled lumpia for up to 3 months. Thaw completely at room temperature before frying.

How long can cooked lumpia Shanghai be stored?

Lumpia Shanghai are best when eaten fresh. But leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days, and reheated in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes.

What is the difference between lumpia and egg rolls?

Egg rolls have a thicker, chewier wheat-based wrapper while lumpia use thinner rice-based wrappers. Lumpia also use a more vegetable-heavy filling compared to the pork-heavy fillings in egg rolls.

Can I make a vegetarian version?

Absolutely! Omit the meat, double up on vegetables like cabbage, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and beansprouts. Add additional seasonings for flavor.

What other foods are similar to lumpia Shanghai?

Lumpia Shanghai resembles other Southeast Asian rolls including Vietnamese spring rolls and Thai popiah. The major difference is lumpia’s petite size and use of a thinner wrapper.

What dipping sauce is best for lumpia Shanghai?

Sweet chili sauce is the most popular, but you can’t go wrong with a simple soy sauce and vinegar mixture. Garlic vinegar and ponzu sauce are also excellent pairings.

Conclusion

Lumpia Shanghai is a world-famous Filipino street food thanks to its mouthwatering combination of a shatteringly crisp wrapper and savory-sweet meat filling. This step-by-step guide outlines how to make it perfectly at home, from the key filling ingredients to frying methods for optimal texture.