Bò bía — the delicate Vietnamese fresh spring roll filled with Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, jicama, and lettuce — is one of the most underrated items on Vietnamese menus in the San Gabriel Valley. It's often overshadowed by its cousin gỏi cuốn (pork-and-shrimp spring rolls), but bò bía has a distinct sweet-savory profile from the Chinese sausage and dried shrimp that makes it uniquely satisfying. The SGV's Vietnamese restaurants offer solid versions, often as part of a spring roll platter.
Golden Deli top-pick
Golden Deli's bo bia is a masterclass in form. The rice paper wrapper is thin and pliable without being gummy, and the filling has a perfect balance of sweet Chinese sausage, savory dried shrimp, crunchy jicama, and fresh lettuce. The hoisin-peanut dipping sauce served alongside is thick and well-seasoned. This is the beef bia that sets the standard in the SGV — order it as a starter before their famous spring rolls.
Nem By Summer Rolls best-value
Nem By Summer Rolls takes their fresh spring rolls seriously, and their bo bia is no exception. The roll is tightly wrapped with a generous filling, and the Chinese sausage is cut into larger pieces that let you actually taste it — not just feel its sweetness. The jicama is freshly julienned and crunchy, providing the textural contrast that makes bia so enjoyable. Their peanut dipping sauce is excellent, with a nice depth from roasted peanuts.
Summer Rolls hidden-gem
Summer Rolls specializes in — you guessed it — fresh spring rolls, and their bo bia is one of their best. The rolls are made to order (not pre-wrapped and refrigerated), which makes a huge difference in the wrapper texture. The filling ratio is generous, and the dried shrimp flavor is more pronounced here than at most places. The accompanying sauce is a slightly sweeter hoisin-based dip that complements the Chinese sausage beautifully. ## Dish Background Bo Bia is a Vietnamese fresh spring roll that originated from the Chinese popiah (薄餅), adapted with Vietnamese ingredients and sensibilities. Unlike goi cuon (which is filled with pork, shrimp, and vermicelli), bo bia is filled with Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, julienned jicama, lettuce, and sometimes egg — all wrapped in a thin rice paper wrapper. The flavor profile is distinctly sweeter and more savory than goi cuon, thanks to the Chinese sausage and dried shrimp. It's served with a hoisin-peanut dipping sauce rather than the standard dipping sauce. Bo Bia is often overlooked on Vietnamese menus, but it's a favorite among those who appreciate its delicate balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy.nnWhether you are craving authentic Bo Bia or exploring Los Angeles's Vietnamese food scene, these spots deliver the real deal.