Filipinos Love Lumpia No Matter What’s The Filling (2024)

Food/Filipino Cuisine/Culture

Filipinos Love Lumpia No Matter What’s The Filling (3)

Almost everyone calls it spring roll or egg roll.

Spring roll is a dish served for the Chinese new year banquet which signals the beginning of the spring season. A way of welcoming the arrival of spring

In the Philippines, it is called lumpia if the filling is meat and/or vegetables. It is called Turon if the inside is something sweet like the banana.

Lumpia is introduced to the Philippines by the Hokkien and Fujian immigrants as early as 900 A.D. Lumpia is derived from the Hokkien word LUN meaning moist, wet and soft and PIA meaning cake or pastry.

Filipino lumpia is not usually wet, moist and soft but rather crunchy and fried. Unless it is dip in a sauce, then it became wet and moist.

Through the years, different kinds of fillings have evolved to give it a twist
Yeah, a different filling equates to a different feeling

The different kinds of lumpia

  1. Lumpiang Shanghai
Filipinos Love Lumpia No Matter What’s The Filling (4)

This is the Chinese spring roll’s version. Why the name Lumpiang Shanghai? No one knows why, aside from that it was introduced by the Chinese settlers. My unsolicited guess is Shanghai sounds good. It doesn’t sound good if it is called Lumpiang Beijing or Lumpiang Guilin😀.

The filling is ground pork or beef, sautéed with garlic, onion, tomato, and carrots.

There’s a difference in the taste of the two versions. I remember the TV show Wok With Yan with Martin Yan where he sprinkled his magic powder in everything he cooked. Maybe that’s what makes the difference in the taste.

In the size as well. Chinese spring roll is usually short while lumpiang shanghai varies, as it depends on who makes it.

International food database Taste Atlas had named lumpiang shanghai as the best Filipino food in 2021. Culinary professionals and diners from around the world gave it a 4.9/5 rating.

Lumpiang Togue

Filipinos Love Lumpia No Matter What’s The Filling (5)

The filling is togue, that’s bean sprouts sauteed with garlic, onion, tomato, and diced pork or tofu. Best eaten by dipping in a sauce made of vinegar, soy sauce, black pepper, and chili flakes.

Considered a street food because it is very affordable.

Lumpiang Dynamite

Filipinos Love Lumpia No Matter What’s The Filling (6)
Filipinos Love Lumpia No Matter What’s The Filling (7)

The long green chili is stuffed with fillings of your choice. Diced meat or chunk tuna will do. But the best and simplest one is a slice of cheese.

Why dynamite? Because it’s a chili, it’s like dynamite exploding in the mouth. And if the seeds are not removed, literally, you will explode😁. And be like — this girl is on fire.

Try this one, it’s the best.

This time I’ll l be sweeter

Turon

Filipinos Love Lumpia No Matter What’s The Filling (8)

Turon is the dessert version of lumpia. It is derived from the Spanish sweets turron.

Wrapped in the lumpia wrapper is the banana named Saba. The riper the saba is, the better. Plain sugar is its perfect company both inside and outside the wrapper before it is fried. Jackfruit can be added to enhance the flavor. Lately, purple yam or ube jam and peanut-chocolate mixture are added too.

If you don’t like fried foods, lumpia has something to offer as an alternative.

Lumpiang Sariwa or Fresh Lumpia

The wrapper that is being used is the egg roll wrapper and the filling is mostly heart of palm, meat and other vegetables. It’s secret is in the sauce and the crushed peanut put on top.

The advantage is it has no cooking oil dripping out. The disadvantage is, since it is fresh, it can easily get spoiled.

If you don’t like the egg roll wrapper or the lumpia wrapper or any wrapper, lumpia has still something for you.

Lumpiang Hubad or Naked Lumpia

It is basically Lumpiang Sariwa without the wrapper. Nothing more, nothing less. There is a theory that this came about because the chef run out of the wrapper.

Practically, you can wrap anything and still can be called lumpia.

Filipinos Love Lumpia No Matter What’s The Filling (9)

Why? Because when you dip it in it’s sauce, whether it is chili sauce, vinegar and soy sauce, or catsup, you’ll never know what’s inside. Just like me, when I dip it, I-soak-it, and all I can taste is the sauce.

With the fact that you can’t name a country without a Filipino, in one way or another and in one time or another, you were likely to have attended a Filipino gathering. For sure Lumpia was there, it is always perfect in attendance.

Filipinos Love Lumpia No Matter What’s The Filling (2024)

FAQs

Why do Filipinos love lumpia? ›

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 lumpia filling made of? ›

This is a traditional Filipino recipe for lumpia, or fried spring rolls. 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.

Is Filipino lumpia healthy? ›

A single serving (around 2-3 pieces) can easily pack in 200-300 calories and a significant amount of fat, depending on the recipe. However, there are some redeeming qualities. The vegetables offer some vitamins and minerals, and the protein content can be good depending on the amount of meat used.

What makes lumpia unique? ›

Filipino lumpia can be differentiated from other Asian spring roll versions in that they use a paper-thin wrapper made from just flour, water, and salt.

What is the most popular lumpia in the Philippines? ›

Lumpiang Shanghai is one of the most ubiquitous dishes served in Filipino parties, along with variations of pancit (noodles). They are commonly prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator, and only deep-fried immediately before serving.

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 is the difference between Indonesian lumpia and Filipino lumpia? ›

The traditional version in the Philippines is longer and thinner; the wrapper is only made of flour, water, and salt and is thin as wrapping paper. The Indonesian “lumpia semarang” has both fried and non-fried versions, and often has a filling of jicama.

What does lumpia symbolize? ›

Lumpia isn't just a dish; it's a story of cultural exchange and evolution. Originating from Chinese cooking and adapted by Filipinos, these rolls symbolize celebration.

What ethnicity makes lumpia? ›

If you are unfamiliar with this dish, lumpia are various types of spring rolls, typically found in the Philippines. This Filipino dish always makes an appearance on a dining table for every occasion (birthdays, holidays, family gatherings). Lumpia is typically an appetizer dish.

What are the benefits of eating lumpia? ›

It is rich in protein which supports brain development, muscle growth, fullness and energy levels. It also contains important minerals, fiber and carbohydrates. Regular consumption of fish lumpia can help children grow stronger bones and bodies while improving thinking skills and metabolic rates.

Can lumpia wrappers be eaten raw? ›

Like spring-roll wrappers, lumpia are also made from wheat flour, but their texture is more delicate. Since the wrappers are already cooked, they can be eaten as-is and wrapped in fresh ingredients.

What is the best oil to fry lumpia in? ›

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.

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.

Should I thaw frozen lumpia before frying? ›

There's no need to defrost before frying. To fry your lumpia, heat about a quart of vegetable oil in a wok or high-sided sauté pan over medium heat (the oil should be at least three inches deep). Cohen says the most important aspect of frying lumpia is making sure that the oil is hot—really hot.

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.

What do we call lumpia in English? ›

(chiefly Philippines and Indonesia) A kind of spring roll.

What does lumpia mean in Tagalog? ›

lumpia is an alternate spelling of the Tagalog word lumpiyâ. Alternate spellings may include abbreviations, informal spellings, slang, and/or commonly misspelled variations of a word. Base word: lumpiyâ [noun] spring roll; egg roll.

What is authentic lumpia made of? ›

Lumpia is a delicious savory fried roll filled with ground pork, carrots, and cabbage. Traditionally found in the Philippines, lumpia is a perfect appetizer that is crispy and golden and served with dipping sauce on the side.

What nationality is a Filipino? ›

These writings are also credited with transforming the term Filipino to one which refers to everyone born in the Philippines, especially during the Philippine Revolution and American Colonial Era and the term shifting from a geographic designation to a national one as a citizenship nationality by law.

How to keep lumpia crispy for hours? ›

If you are bringing the lumpia to an event, party, etc. make sure the container “breathes” otherwise the moisture will make them soggy. Then serve them in some kind of electric-heated container like a crock pot or something heated with Sterno. Or store them in an oven to keep them heated.

Why do Filipinos love fried food? ›

Frying food is one of the most common and preferred cooking methods in the Philippines, probably because it is a convenient food preparation and fried food has a savory flavor favored by Filipinos [14,15].

What is the story behind lumpia? ›

The history behind lumpia Shanghai is fascinating, though a bit muddy. For centuries, Chinese traders and settlers have influenced the culinary scene in the Phillippines, and immigrants from China's Fujian province brought over the egg roll, which metamorphised into lumpia Shanghai to befit the palates of the locals.

Why do Filipinos like pork so much? ›

The Filipino's love for pork will remain because of the meat's versatility as a preferred dish for nearly every memorable event with friends and family. Because of this, it is essential to find a good source of juicy, tender pork with the ideal meat-to-fat ratio when serving home-cooked dishes to our loved ones.

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