Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls Vegetarian: Top 5 Fresh Recipes (Goi Cuon Chay)

When people say “goi cuon,” they usually mean  “Vietnamese rice paper rolls”. The name literally means “salad roll,” because you rehydrate rice paper, add noodles, lettuce, and herbs, then roll it up like a salad you can hold.
The wrapper is called banh trang (rice paper), made from steamed rice-and-tapioca batter that is dried into thin sheets.

This guide focuses on Vietnamese rice paper rolls vegetarian (often called goi cuon chay). “Chay” translates to vegetarian in Vietnamese. Especially if you want to buy rice paper for restaurants retail or bulk orders, you can click the shopping cart on our website (Green Star Vietnam) to get high-quality rice paper.

1. Lemongrass Tofu Vegetarian Rolls 

Origin and meaning

• Goi cuon means “salad roll,” and “chay” means vegetarian, so this is a vegetarian rice paper roll style. 
• This version replaces shrimp and pork with lemongrass tofu, while keeping the usual fresh vegetables and vermicelli. 

Recipe

• Ingredients
  • Firm tofu, garlic, shallot, lemongrass, soy sauce, vegan oyster sauce, honey, brown sugar, water, oil for frying. 
  • Rice paper, lettuce, shredded carrots, cucumbers, mint, vermicelli noodles, and a vegetarian dipping sauce. 
• Steps
  • Fry tofu until light golden, then cook it with garlic, shallot, lemongrass, and the sauce mixture.
  • Place lettuce, mint, cucumber, carrots, vermicelli, then tofu on softened rice paper and roll.
    
    

2. Classic Veggie and Herb Rolls 

Origin and meaning

• Rice paper rolls are built around raw herbs and vegetables, plus rice vermicelli. 
• They are often described as a refreshing cold dish, but they are also eaten year-round as a casual meal or snack. 

Recipe

• Ingredients
  • Rice paper (banh trang), rice vermicelli, lettuce.
  • Crunchy vegetables: cucumber, carrot, daikon (optional).
  • Herbs: mint, basil, cilantro (choose what you like).
• Steps
  • Cook vermicelli and cool it before rolling (many roll recipes cool noodles so they stay neat).
  • Soften rice paper with a little water, wait for it to turn flexible, then roll with vegetables, herbs, and noodles.
    
    

3. Bi Cuon Chay

Origin and meaning

• Bi cuon chay is a vegetarian rice paper roll style made with a tofu-and-vegetable mixture plus fresh herbs and vegetables inside rice paper. 
• It is designed to be filling, but still fresh. 

Recipe

• Ingredients
  • Tofu, jicama, carrots, sweet potatoes, and bean thread noodles (mung bean noodles), plus vegetables and herbs for rolling. 
• Steps
  • Prep filling and herbs first so rolling is fast.
  • Lightly moisten rice paper, add the tofu mixture and herbs, fold and roll tightly.
    
    

4. Mango Avocado Vegetarian Rolls 

Origin and meaning

• This is a modern vegetarian twist. Many home cooks treat rice paper rolls as customizable and swap fillings based on what tastes good. 
• Mango and avocado bring a sweet-creamy contrast to crunchy veggies and herbs. 

Recipe

• Ingredients
  • Mango, avocado, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, mint, cilantro, and vermicelli rice noodles. 
• Steps
  • Cook vermicelli, rinse with cold water until chilled, and toss with a little oil to reduce sticking. 
  • Slice fillings thinly, soften rice paper, then roll everything together.
    
    

5. Vegetarian Rice Paper Roll Platter 

Origin and meaning

• A rice paper roll platter is basically a build-your-own goi cuon setup where everyone rolls at the table. 
• The balance is simple: carbs from rice paper and vermicelli, protein (tofu works great), plus lots of herbs and vegetables, then a bold sauce. 

Recipe

• Ingredients
  • Rice paper, rice vermicelli, lettuce, cucumber, carrot/daikon, and mixed herbs. 
  • Protein: tofu (plain, fried, or marinated). 
  • Two dipping sauce options:
    • Vegan nuoc cham (a vegan version of the classic dipping sauce). 
    • Hoisin peanut sauce (hoisin plus peanut or almond butter, often served with fresh rice paper rolls).
• Steps
  • Lay everything out on plates, keep a bowl for water to moisten rice paper, then let everyone roll their own. 

Conclusion

These five recipes show how versatile Vietnamese rice paper rolls vegetarian can be. You can enjoy them in two main styles:

• Protein-forward vegetarian rolls like Lemongrass Tofu rolls and Bi Cuon Chay, where tofu and a hearty veggie mix make each roll more filling.
• Light, fresh rolls like the Classic Veggie and Herb rolls and Mango Avocado rolls, plus a DIY roll-your-own platter where everyone builds and rolls at the table.

No matter which Vietnamese rice paper rolls vegetarian recipe you choose, the basics stay the same: soften the rice paper properly, keep the herbs fresh, use crisp vegetables, and balance sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors with a good dipping sauce.

Get Free Samples Now!

Green Star Vietnam can provide free samples so you can verify rice paper quality, MOQ, and packaging before placing a bulk order.

• Sample delivery: usually 7–10 days
• Bulk lead time: typically within ~20 days, depending on location

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