Vietnamese cuisine is known for its fresh, vibrant flavors, and one dish that has captivated food lovers is Brodard’s famous spring rolls. These delicious rolls, known for their signature crispy center, are a must-try dish originating from the well-loved Brodard Restaurant in California.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything about Brodard-style spring rolls: the ingredients, preparation, assembly, dipping sauces, and expert tips for achieving the authentic flavor at home. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, this recipe will help you master the art of making Brodard-style spring rolls.
What Makes Brodard Spring Rolls Special?
Traditional Vietnamese spring rolls (Gỏi Cuốn) usually consist of shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles, and fresh herbs, all wrapped in rice paper and served with a peanut or hoisin-based dipping sauce. However, Brodard’s version is unique because of the crispy center and their signature house sauce.
Here’s what sets them apart:
- Crispy Center: A deep-fried wrapper inside the roll gives it an unexpected crunch.
- Flavored Pork Filling: The pork is seasoned and grilled to perfection.
- Special Dipping Sauce: A secret recipe sauce with a hint of hoisin, chili, and garlic makes all the difference.
- Perfect Rice Paper Texture: The rolls are tightly wrapped to hold everything together while maintaining the right level of chewiness.
Now, let’s dive into how you can recreate these delicious spring rolls at home!
Ingredients for Brodard-Style Spring Rolls
To make approximately 10-12 spring rolls, you will need:
For the Filling:
- 1 lb pork loin or pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey or sugar
- 1 tbsp lemongrass, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
For the Crispy Wrapper:
- 5-6 egg roll wrappers or wonton wrappers
- Oil for frying
For the Assembly:
- 1 pack of rice paper wrappers (Bánh Tráng)
- 1 cup vermicelli noodles (cooked and drained)
- 1 cup lettuce leaves, chopped (red leaf or romaine works best)
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves
- ½ cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 medium cucumber, julienned
For the Dipping Sauce (House Special Sauce):
- ½ cup hoisin sauce
- ½ cup warm water
- 1 tbsp peanut butter (optional)
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili sauce (such as Sambal Oelek)
- 1 tbsp roasted peanuts (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Crispy Center
The crispy center is what makes Brodard-style spring rolls stand out.
- Cut the egg roll wrappers into thin strips (about 2 inches wide).
- Heat oil in a frying pan to 350°F (175°C) and fry the strips until they turn golden brown and crispy. This usually takes 20-30 seconds per side.
- Remove from oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
Tip: Don’t over-fry them! You want them crispy but not too dark.
2. Marinate and Cook the Pork
- In a bowl, combine fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, lemongrass, garlic, and black pepper.
- Add the thinly sliced pork and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a pan and cook the pork over medium heat until caramelized and cooked through. This takes about 6-8 minutes.
- Let the pork cool before slicing into thin strips.
3. Cook the Vermicelli Noodles
- Boil water and cook the vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions (usually 3-5 minutes).
- Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
- Set aside in a bowl.
4. Prepare the Vegetables and Herbs
- Wash and dry lettuce, mint, basil, cilantro, and bean sprouts.
- Julienne the carrots and cucumbers into thin matchstick strips.
5. Make the Special Dipping Sauce
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine hoisin sauce, water, peanut butter, fish sauce, sugar, and garlic.
- Stir until everything is well blended.
- Add chili sauce for a spicy kick.
- Pour into a serving bowl and top with crushed roasted peanuts.
6. Assemble the Spring Rolls
Now comes the fun part—rolling the perfect Brodard-style spring rolls!
- Fill a shallow bowl with warm water and dip a sheet of rice paper for 5-10 seconds until it becomes pliable.
- Lay the softened rice paper on a clean plate or cutting board.
- Start layering ingredients:
- Place lettuce at the bottom third of the wrapper.
- Add a small handful of vermicelli noodles.
- Add carrots, cucumbers, and bean sprouts.
- Lay pork slices on top.
- Add a fried egg roll wrapper strip in the center.
- Top with mint, basil, and cilantro.
- Roll it up tightly:
- Fold the sides inward.
- Roll firmly from the bottom up, ensuring a snug wrap.
7. Serve and Enjoy!
Arrange the spring rolls on a plate and serve them with the special dipping sauce. Garnish with extra herbs or crushed peanuts for added flavor.
Tips for the Best Brodard-Style Spring Rolls
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs and vegetables make a huge difference in taste.
- Don’t Overfill: Overstuffing makes rolling difficult and causes tearing.
- Keep the Crispy Center Dry: If it gets soggy, the crunch is lost.
- Work Quickly: Rice paper can become too sticky if left out for too long.
- Use a Damp Cloth: Place a damp kitchen towel over rolled spring rolls to prevent drying out.
Variations to Try
1. Shrimp and Pork Version
- Use boiled shrimp instead of (or alongside) pork.
- Slice the shrimp in half lengthwise for easy rolling.
2. Vegetarian Option
- Replace pork with grilled tofu or tempeh.
- Use crispy fried shallots instead of the fried egg roll wrapper.
3. Spicy Kick
- Add Sriracha or extra chili sauce to the dipping sauce.
- Sprinkle chili flakes inside the roll.
Pairing Suggestions
- Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá) – A sweet and strong coffee that complements the freshness of the spring rolls.
- Mango Sticky Rice – A light, sweet dessert to round off the meal.
- Pho or Bun Bo Hue – A bowl of Vietnamese soup pairs well for a complete meal.
Final Thoughts
Recreating Brodard-style spring rolls at home is easier than it looks! With a crispy center, well-seasoned pork, and a signature dipping sauce, these rolls are a crowd-pleaser. Whether for a light lunch, appetizer, or party dish, they bring an authentic Vietnamese experience to your table.
So, grab your ingredients and start rolling—your homemade Brodard spring rolls await! 🍽️🇻🇳
