This is a dish my mom loved to make for me when I was a kid.

Had leftover Chinese chives from making Pad Thai and didn’t want to waste them. You can use them in many dishes—this is another tasty and appetizing option.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, many of us love preparing a festive meal for our families. Although I'm from Central Vietnam, my mother-in-law is from the North, so I learned how to make authentic Northern-style nem rán from her. In our home, a plate of crispy, delicious nem rán is always part of the New Year's feast. This beloved dish features a golden, crunchy wrapper filled with pork, wood ear mushrooms, eggs, and a mix of vegetables. I usually serve it with a basket of fresh herbs, some pickled vegetables, and a sweet and tangy dipping sauce, just like people do in Central Vietnam. Nem rán has become a traditional dish not only in the North but all across Vietnam, with only slight differences in preparation and name.

These Chinese-style shrimp spring rolls are very popular and turn out delicious. They're crispy on the outside, and the vegetables stay perfectly tender. They're served with a sauce that's a little salty, sweet, and slightly bitter all at once.

Getting a great deal on quality ingredients is always a stroke of luck. I happened to find crab meat on sale, marked down from over 300 baht to just 130 baht! It's been a long time since I've had a seafood feast with crab and shrimp, so I made this dish to satisfy my craving.

I bought some crab meat and my family wanted spring rolls, so I made these fried crab spring rolls! I added imitation crab and cabbage for extra texture and to include some veggies.

Kanikama is an imitation crab meat, also known as surimi. It's very popular in making California-style rolls. Kanikama is made from surimi paste, which is a processed blend of different types of fish that mimics crab or lobster meat.

Today I was craving spring rolls and had all the ingredients in the fridge, so I made them quickly. My recipe is a Chinese-style version with lots of cabbage. This is how my family usually makes them at home.

When I go back home to Udon, there are so many places to buy these, and they're all delicious. My favorite shop is in the Ban Huai market—locals from Udon might know it—or you can also find them at Center Point Udon, which are just as tasty. I found this recipe that adapts the traditional fresh rice sheets by using ready-made Vietnamese spring roll wrappers instead, and it turned out great! Next time I go home for Songkran, I'll get the soft, fresh kind again, but for now, this homemade version really hits the spot. Thanks to the page 'Easy Cooking Abroad by Khun Sai, Mom of Nakee' for the recipe!