Gỏi cuốn—fresh spring rolls with shrimp, pork, herbs, and rice vermicelli wrapped in rice paper—are a refreshing Vietnamese appetizer. Seattle's Little Saigon serves excellent versions with housemade sauces.
- Dip in peanut hoisin sauce or nuoc cham
- Best enjoyed fresh—rice paper firms up over time
- Ask for extra herbs if you like them
Tamarind Tree Restaurant Top Pick
Some of the most carefully assembled spring rolls in the city. Rice paper hydrated to perfect elasticity, filling is generous with plump whole shrimp, a slice of pork, vermicelli, and herbs including mint, cilantro, and sometimes perilla. The house-made peanut dipping sauce is exceptional — thick, nutty, with a hint of hoisin and a kick of chili.
Ba Bar Top Pick
A polished take on the classic. The rolls are cut precisely and arranged elegantly with large, sweet shrimp and flavorful pork. The herb mix includes Thai basil. The peanut sauce is richer and more complex than standard, with noticeable depth from roasted peanuts. Capitol Hill location's late-night hours are a bonus.
Green Tree Restaurant Hidden Gem
Noteworthy for the quality of ingredients. Shrimp are consistently fresh and properly sized, pork is tender and sliced thin, and vermicelli is applied with restraint so you taste the proteins, not filler. The herb bundle includes fish-mint (fish mint) for those who appreciate its distinctive flavor. Peanut sauce has great texture from crushed peanuts.
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Pho Bac Súp Shop Best Value
Straightforward and excellent — a testament to getting the basics right. Rice paper is well hydrated, filling is fresh and properly proportioned, and the shrimp are a vibrant pink. The peanut sauce is classic — thick, sweet, salty, with crushed peanuts on top. Simple perfection when done right.