The history of lumpia also referred to as spring rolls, spans many eras and cultures. Lumpia’s roots can be found in ancient China, where they were first served during the spring as a representation of new beginnings and fresh starts.

This recipe was brought to Southeast Asia by Chinese traders and immigrants, where it was ultimately modified to fit local preferences and ingredients. Lumpia evolved into a staple dish and an essential component of Philippine cuisine.

The origins of spring rolls have a long history and go across many different cultures. During 266-420 AD, spring rolls were first introduced in the Jin Dynasty. Thin pancakes were eaten during the Spring Festival to mark the start of a new year. This first rendition of the spring roll was made of flour, spring season vegetables and fruits.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the egg pancake, a thin, flat pancake made with eggs and flour is first introduced. This developed into a popular wrap for spring rolls. Furthermore, the filling of these egg pancakes indicated if a person was rich or poor. The rich would will their spring rolls with meat, spinach, beansprouts, beans, and vermicelli, while the poor would only use carrots and celery as filling.

After this, new cooking techniques were practiced during the Ming Dynasty (1369-1644 AD) and the spring pancakes were then rolled into the spring rolls we’re familiar with today.

Next, spring rolls received their name “Chun Juan” (spring roll) during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) and these deep-fried rolls became a symbol of gold bars and wealth as they were eaten in hopes of wealth and prosperity in the year ahead.

Lastly, in the 1600s Chinese immigrants introduce spring rolls to Indonesia, then the Philippines in the 1700s. As they travelled throughout southeast Asia, Chinese traders and immigrants brought along their spring rolls recipe; as a result, it ultimately gained popularity in these countries. Spring rolls were introduced in the United States in the 1880s and then became popular in Thailand during the 1950s.

Today, spring rolls have gained popularity all over the globe. With various regional variations and styles. People of all ages and walks of life appreciate them, and they are frequently offered as an appetizer or snacks.

Hu, Jackie. Vietnamese Summer Rolls. Unsplash.com. Jackiehudesign, October 10, 2020. https://unsplash.com/photos/bsFDh_ZzbfY.

In the Philippines, spring rolls are called “lumpia”, and they come in a variety of forms, each with its own distinctive flavour and appearance. Lumpiang Shanghai (which translates to lumpia/spring rolls of Shanghai) is the most popular variety. It is cooked with a combination of minced pork, prawns, and vegetables like carrots, cabbage, and bean sprouts. This filling is then encased in a thin, wrapper made from flour and water, and deep-fried until golden and crispy.

Lumpiang sariwa, usually referred to as fresh lumpia, is a different preferred variety of lumpia. In this variety, fresh vegetables like lettuce, carrots and bean sprouts are combined with pork prawns, and garlic inside a soft, uncooked wrapping.

There are regional varieties of lumpia around the Philippines in addition to these traditional variations. For instance, lumpia is frequently made with a fiery chilli filling in the Bicol region whereas it is typically made with ubod, or heart of palm, in the Visayas region.

In addition to spring rolls made by Filipinos, other southeastern countries have their own take on this dish. Chinese spring rolls are known as egg rolls, and similar to Filipino spring rolls, they are deep-fried with a mix of chopped vegetables, meat, and sometimes shrimp.

Vietnamese spring rolls are called “Gỏi cuốn” (summer rolls) and they are made with fresh vegetables, herbs, sometimes shrimp or meat, and they are wrapped in rice paper. This dish is usually served cold and not fried.

Moreover, Thai spring rolls are similar to Chinese spring rolls, but they include more spices and herbs, such as lemongrass, cilantro, and ginger. They are also sometimes filled with noodles or tofu.

Finally, Indonesian spring rolls, called “popiah”, are like Vietnamese summer rolls, but they include cooked vegetables and meat, as well as a sweet sauce made from garlic, soy sauce, and palm sugar. Spring rolls from Taiwan are also called “popiah,” and they are non-fried, flavoured with herbs, and topped with ground peanut powder before being wrapped.

In the Philippines, lumpia has grown in popularity and is frequently served at festivities and get-togethers like birthdays, gatherings, and parties. It is also a popular street food that can be found at markets and food stands all throughout the nation.

In addition to spring rolls made by Filipinos, other southeastern countries have their own take on this dish.

Lumpia is a symbol of Southeast Asia’s rich history and cultural interaction. Its transformation from a Chinese pastry to a beloved Filipino dish is proof of the enduring legacy of cultural fusion and adaptation.

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. A Bowl of Filipino Lumpia Egg Rolls. Picryl.com. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, April 6, 2016. https://picryl.com/media/a-bowl-of-filipino-lumpia-egg-rolls-are-ready-for-sharing-2a3978.

I know everyone claims this with their own mother’s cooking, but my mom makes THE BEST lumpia. Growing up in Surrey, I had many friends from different countries and cultures, not familiar with Filipino food, and they all fell in love with Filipino cuisine through my mom’s spring rolls. Whenever my mom cooks Lumpia she always makes three 1 Gallon Ziplock bags worth and then she freezes them, so we have them on hand for when she doesn’t know what to cook for lunch or dinner. She often makes lumpia for parties, birthdays, and gatherings too, where they don’t last very long. At our home, we eat lumpia as a meal for lunch or dinner, where we eat them with rice and sweet chilli sauce. I think I’m going to pull some out of the freezer and fry some up right now!

Bibliography:

Angela, and Admin. “Spring Rolls History: A Celebration of the Season.” FOODICLES, January 13, 2023. https://foodicles.com/spring-rolls-history/.

“Famous Chinese-Influenced Foods in the Philippines.” Lumpia. Accessed April 5, 2023. https://famouschinese-influencedfoodsinthephilippines.yolasite.com/famous-chinese-influenced-foods-in-the-philippines/lumpia.

“Spring Roll.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, April 1, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_roll.

Wei Wei Cold Store. “Lumpiang Shanghai: Know More about the Winner of Every Pinoy Celebration.” Wei Wei Cold Store, December 24, 2019. https://weiweicoldstore.com/lumpiang-shanghai-know-more-about-the-winner-of-every-pinoy-celebration/.