Bò bía — Vietnamese-style fresh spring rolls — are a snack that doesn't get nearly enough attention. Unlike the more common gỏi cuốn (shrimp spring rolls), bò bía features a filling of dried Chinese sausage (lạp xưởng), jicama (củ đậu), shredded lettuce, and sometimes Chinese barbecue pork, all wrapped in the same translucent rice paper. The dipping sauce is typically a ground peanut and hoisin sauce mixture. In Boston, you can find them at Vietnamese bakeries and delis.
Ba Le Top Pick
Ba Le's Bo Bia are made fresh to order. The rolls are generously st￭ with shredded jicama — which provides a wonderful crunch — Chinese sausage, and barbecue pork. The rice paper is perfectly hydrated, chewy but not too soft. The peanut-hoisin dipping sauce is house-made, with crushed peanuts, a touch of hoisin, and a bit of chili for heat. It's a satisfying snack that travels well.
King Do Restaurant & Bakery Best Value
King Do offers a solid version of bo bia that's popular with the lunch crowd. Their rolls are plump and well-filled, with a good balance of jicama, Chinese sausage, and herbs. The dipping sauce is slightly sweeter than Ba Le's, with more hoisin in the mix.
Ánh Hồng Restaurant Hidden Gem
Anh Hong occasionally has bo bia on their menu. Their rolls are larger and more substantial, almost a meal in themselves.