Cha gio — the crispy Vietnamese imperial egg rolls — are a staple appetizer at every Vietnamese restaurant in Austin, but the quality varies wildly. The best versions feature a shatteringly crisp rice paper wrapper, a well-seasoned pork-and-shrimp filling with woodear mushrooms, and are served with plenty of fresh herbs and lettuce for wrapping. Austin's North Lamar corridor has several restaurants that take their cha gio seriously.
Pho Hoang top-pick
Pho Hoang's grilled chicken with egg rolls over vermicelli gets specific callouts from Austin Vietnamese food enthusiasts — when a restaurant's name appears alongside a specific cha gio dish, the egg rolls are doing heavy lifting. The cha gio here are classic Southern Vietnamese style: generously sized, golden-crisp, and packed with pork and shrimp.
The One Pho best-value
The One Pho's cha gio are notable for their Vietnamese butter with pate accompaniment — a detail that signals this kitchen understands the full range of Vietnamese flavors. Their egg rolls are well-seasoned with visible pieces of shrimp and a satisfyingly crunchy wrapper. The restaurant also earns points for their bo ne and banh mi, making this a strong all-around North Lamar stop.
Bep Saigon - KN Kitchen hidden-gem
Bep Saigon's menu runs deep across Vietnamese cuisine, and their cha gio is a solid representation of the kitchen's commitment to doing things right. The spring rolls here are a prelude to a meal that might include banh khot, thit kho, or bun bo hue — all dishes that show range. Their cha gio are properly crispy with a herby, peppery filling.nnFor cha gio in Austin, Pho Hoang delivers the crispiest, most satisfying imperial egg rolls in the city.