Traditional Filipino Lumpia (2024)

Did you know you can make restaurant-worthy lumpia in your own home? This lumpia recipe produces perfectly crispy and absolutely irresistible spring rolls every time.

What Is Lumpia?

Lumpia are fried spring rolls that are found in Filipino and Indonesian cuisines. The rolls traditionally feature a thin pastry skin (a.k.a. a lumpia wrapper) and are often stuffed with a savory mixture of ground pork and vegetables.

How to Make Lumpia

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect:

1. Make the filling: Cook the pork until crumbly and set aside. Drain most (but not all) of the grease. Cook the onion and garlic in the remaining grease. Return the pork to the pan and stir in the veggies, cilantro, and seasonings. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Assemble the lumpia: Place three tablespoons of the filling on the wrapper and follow the instructions to roll and seal the lumpia. Repeat until all the rolls are assembled.
3. Fry the lumpia: Heat oil in a skillet. Fry the lumpia three to four rolls at a time. Turn until all sides are brown. Drain on a paper towel.

How to Serve Lumpia

Lumpia is often served with a sweet chili dipping sauce (this 5-ingredient Hot and Sweet Dipping Sauce is an excellent choice). If you're sensitive to heat, you could try with a classic Sweet and Sour Sauce.

Make it a meal by pairing your lumpia with Garlic Fried Rice or serving it as an appetizer for a traditional Filipino main dish, such as Caldereta.

How to Store Lumpia

Allow the rolls to cool, then transfer the leftovers to an airtight container or wrap them tightly in foil. Store the lumpia in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can You Freeze Lumpia?

Yes, but it's best to freeze the lumpia before you fry it.

To freeze un-fried lumpia: Arrange the cooled rolls on a baking sheet, then cover with storage wrap. Freeze for a few hours or up to overnight. When the lumpia are frozen solid, transfer the rolls to a zip-top freezer bag (don't forget to squeeze out the excess air) or another freezer-safe container. Wrap in foil for added protection. Lumpia can be frozen for up to three months.

There's no need to thaw — just go ahead and fry the lumpia from frozen.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"I had wanted to make these for a long time, but I thought that they would be really hard to make," says misspiggy067. "Boy, was I wrong. They are really easy and they taste wonderful!! My family loves them."

"I am Filipino and have tasted many different Lumpia recipes...this was a great one," raves Baker. "I found you have to be very careful with the temperature of the oil, definitely keep it at medium. If the oil is too hot, the outside cooks too quickly and the inner wrapper doesn't get crispy."

"I almost wish I didn't know how easy and cheap it is to make these in my own kitchen," shesinparties. "Now I find myself standing in my kitchen in the morning wondering how lumpia would go with my coffee. Seriously, these things are so easy and awesome."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Traditional Filipino Lumpia (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional lumpia made of? ›

They're made with paper-thin lumpia wrappers and filled with a savory mixture of ground pork, cabbage, and other vegetables. Serve lumpia as a side dish or appetizer with a sweet chili dipping sauce. Did you know you can make restaurant-worthy lumpia in your own home?

What is the difference between Indonesian lumpia and Filipino lumpia? ›

Unlike its Philippines counterpart, Indonesian lumpia rarely uses minced pork as a filling. This was meant to cater to the larger Muslim clientele, thus popular fillings are usually chicken, shrimp, egg and vegetables.

Is Shanghai lumpia the same as regular lumpia? ›

Lumpiang Shanghai is regarded as the most basic type of lumpia in Filipino cuisine, and it is usually smaller and thinner than other lumpia variants.

What makes lumpia so special? ›

Filipinos love Lumpia because it is a delicious dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course or snack. It has a light and crunchy wrapper with savory meat filling inside. It's best eaten fresh out of the pan with soy sauce mixed in, but some people like to eat it cold.

What is the best oil to fry lumpia? ›

I recommend vegetable oil, which has a neutral flavor and a high smoking point, but peanut oil is a good alternative. Fry the lumpia in batches.

Why do Filipinos eat lumpia? ›

The dish is thought to have originated in Fujian, China sometime between 618 and 907 A.D. As immigrants spread knowledge of their favorite foods, lumpia arrived in the Philippines, where it quickly became a beloved staple.

What do Filipinos eat with lumpia? ›

Pancit Bihon, a Filipino noodle dish, is a fantastic side dish to accompany lumpia. This stir-fried dish features thin rice noodles, vegetables, and your choice of meat or shrimp. The combination of flavors and textures creates a delicious and filling accompaniment to the crispy lumpia rolls.

Is Filipino lumpia healthy? ›

Fresh Lumpia is a very healthy food because the vegetables remain fresh and its natural nutrients are maintained. Moreover, since it is fibrous, it normally does not entail eating with rice, which is commonly done by Filipinos. One lumpia is heavy enough to serve as one meal.

What do we call lumpia in English? ›

The English is just Spring Roll.

What are the two types of lumpia? ›

While there are two main kinds of lumpia—fried and fresh—it's the fried variety that I love most. (And pretty much every other Filipino I know agrees.) Just the thought of the crispy-crackly exterior and the juicy, gingery filling inside of them makes my appetite go wild.

What is a fun fact about lumpia? ›

Lumpia was introduced to the Philippines during the pre-colonial period by early Hokkien immigrants and traders from Fujian between 900 and 1565 AD. The name is derived from Hokkien, a language that originated in southeastern China: "lun" means wet, moist, or soft, and "pia" means cake or pastry.

What is considered to be the unofficial national dish in the Philippines? ›

The unofficial national dish of the Philippines, adobo is a vinegary, garlicky, addictive dish that's worth celebrating every day.

Should I thaw frozen lumpia before frying? ›

No, there is no need to thaw frozen lumpia before frying. Frying frozen lumpia directly helps retain its shape, texture, and prevents the filling from spilling out. This makes it easier and more convenient to fry frozen lumpia.

What is best wrap for lumpia? ›

"There are many combination's of Lumpia fillings and after trying many I came up with this, reminds me of how they tasted when I was in the Philippians. I prefer the authentic Lumpia wrapper (spring roll wrapper) as they are very thin and fry up nice and crisp. Opposed to the egg roll and wanton wrappers."

What is fresh lumpia made of? ›

The ingredients—ground chicken or pork, olive oil, peanuts, and fresh herbs and spices—add flavor. Also, the lumpiang sariwa is served fresh so it has fewer calories than fried lumpiang. Source: Mula sa Pusa, Heart Healthy Traditional Filipino Recipes, American Heart Association, 1999.

What is the difference between lumpia and Chinese spring rolls? ›

Although spring rolls and lumpia are similar, they are not the same. Lumpia are usually longer and skinner than spring rolls. Besides the shape, spring rolls from Chinese restaurants are usually vegetarian, while lumpia, lumpian shanghai specifically (this version), is mostly meat.

What is Filipino lumpia wrapper made of? ›

They are made from just four simple ingredients. Flour, cornstarch, Water, and Salt. These ingredients are combined to form an extremely wet and viscous dough.

What's the difference between egg roll and lumpia? ›

Both egg rolls and lumpia are variations on spring rolls but there are obvious differences between the two. An egg roll is typically heavily stuffed with cabbage, meat, and/or other veggies and has a thick wrapper made of wheat and eggs. Lumpia, on the other hand, have a thinner and more delicate wrapping.

References

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