Whether you’re eating it for lunch or dinner, Vietnamese food never fails as a scrumptious choice. This is especially true when you include egg or summer rolls. The question is which type of roll you should get, and this dilemma can be challenging if you're unsure what they are. To help you decide, learn what distinguishes one from the other.

Egg Rolls

As its name implies, the batter for egg rolls requires an egg in addition to wheat flour and water. This combination gives the shell its thickness, roughness, and crunchiness. They’re typically filled with pork, cabbage, carrots, water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots, but you can also stuff them with shrimp, onions, and mushrooms.

Many fans of Vietnamese food will dip them in hot mustard, soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or duck sauce. Either way, they’re filling enough to have as a main course if you eat many, but they’re also small enough to enjoy as a side dish.

Summer Rolls

While spring rolls are common in many Asian cuisines, Vietnamese food is known for a similar concept called summer rolls. They can be fried, but unlike egg rolls, they can also be steamed or baked. The batter is made from water and wheat flour or rice paper, and the shell turns out smoother without the egg. In most cases, they’re served cold or cool, which makes them a refreshing summer treat and inspires their name.

Though frequently stuffed with pork, shrimp, or chicken, summer rolls tend to emphasize vegetables common to the warmer seasons. These include carrots, cabbage, cucumbers, cilantro, mint, and Thai basil. They may be filled with vermicelli noodles too. You can eat them as a light main course, appetizer, or side dish, and they're often served with hoisin or peanut sauce.

If you’re in the mood for egg or summer rolls, head to Pho' Vietnam in Anchorage, AK. This eatery serves authentic Vietnamese food made with fresh ingredients, and they're open for lunch and dinner. View their full menu online, or call (907) 929-9938 to place a carryout order.