Egg Rolls: Why Are They Called Egg Rolls? (2024)

Ever wonder… why these classic Chinese-American treats are called egg rolls?

One possible explanation is that the dough traditionally used to make the wrapper calls foreggs. Even though recipes now often omit the egg, it’s possible that the name stuck. Although, to be honest, I have a hard time buying that so many doughs are made with eggs and yet the foods and dishes made from them don’t find it necessary to give the ingredient a special title shout-out.

Another interesting theory posits that instead of being an Americanized variation on the Chinese rice paper-wrapped spring roll (allegedly introduced in New York in the early 1930s), the egg roll is actually a riff on a dish calledDan Gun.Featured in a Chinese-American cookbook from 1917, the recipe calls forchicken,ham, sprouts, and mushrooms to be wrapped in a thin egg omelette. So, literally, an egg roll.

Unfortunately, speculation is about as good of an answer as we’re going to get on this one—while it may not be satisfying, at least dish still is. Here are nine favorites to try.

Crispy Chinese Egg Rolls

Hey, you there, put down the takeout menu. Once you see how easy it is to make these deep-fried rolls stuffed with ground pork, cabbage, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms, you’ll have no excuse not to choose DIY over delivery. Get ourCrispy Chinese Egg Rolls recipe.

Crispy Avocado Egg Rolls

Forget toast, the next time you’re looking for an inspired way to enjoy your favorite lime zesty, jalapeño, and onion-flecked avocado mash, try wrapping some in egg roll paper. Sure, the crispy, deep-fried finger food doesn’t havequitethe same good-for-you vibes as the toast, but trust, it’s just as addictively delicious (and not to mention a unique egg roll variation for vegetarians). Get therecipe.

Cuban Egg Rolls

TheReuben?Philly cheesesteaks?Sloppy Joes? Yup, all of these iconic sandwiches have been given the egg roll treatment (and rocked the look to boot), but if we have to play favorites, this ham, roast beef, Swiss cheese, and pickle-filled variety really captures the vibe of the beloved Cubano. The only thing missing is a Mojito and a lounge chair on South Beach. Get therecipe.

Freezer-Friendly Shrimp Egg Rolls

Looking for a good make-ahead cooking project? These savory, crunchy shrimp and slaw-stuffed egg rolls can easily be prepped out in large batches and kept frozen until needed (like, say, in the middle of the week when you’re working late, haven’t had time to go to the store, and don’t want to drop cash on takeout). Get therecipe.

Breakfast Egg Rolls

If you’re like,literallyin the mood for an egg roll, these come stuffed with a mixture of cheesy scrambled egg, bacon, and potato hash. Think breakfast burrito but skinnier, crispier, and deep-fried. Get therecipe.

Crab Rangoon Egg Rolls

If you’re a two-for-one special kind of person, there’s no way you aren’t swooning over this classic Chinese-American appetizer mash-up. Besides, from a more-is-more perspective, how do you not love that these crab and cream cheese-filled rolls are about double the size of the usual crab puff. Get therecipe.

Baked Tofu and Vegetable Egg Rolls

The fact that these are baked instead of fried and teeming with tofu and fresh veggies means that you can feel totally guilt-free about going back for thirds (and fourths), right? Get therecipe.

Egg Roll Soup

If you’re looking for a clever way to shake up your egg roll routine—besides simply switching the filling, of course—give this deconstructed soup variation a try. Here, the classic filling ingredients like carrot, cabbage, and ground pork take center stage, but don’t worry, the broth-based soup is still garnished with fried egg roll wrapper strips so you still get that satisfying crunch of texture. Get therecipe.

Apple Pie Egg Rolls

The egg roll proves it can play sweet just as well as savory in this creative bite-sized revamp of the iconic dessert. Think of it as a kind of Chinese-American spin on an apple hand pie. Get therecipe.

Egg Rolls: Why Are They Called Egg Rolls? (2024)

FAQs

Why are egg rolls called egg rolls? ›

Featured in a Chinese-American cookbook from 1917, the recipe calls for chicken, ham, sprouts, and mushrooms to be wrapped in a thin egg omelette. So, literally, an egg roll.

What makes an egg roll and egg roll? ›

What Is an Egg Roll? An egg roll is a fried, savory roll filled with shredded cabbage, ground or roast pork or shrimp and other ingredients inside a wonton wrapper or thick, wheat flour wrapper.

Why do Americans call egg rolls spring rolls? ›

The exact origins of springs rolls and egg rolls are a bit unclear, though both have their roots in Chinese cuisine. While the jury is still out on the specifics, many food experts believe that spring rolls came first, and that they were adapted to become what was later on deemed the egg roll.

Do egg roll wrappers have eggs in them? ›

Unlike spring rolls, egg rolls are made with thick, doughy wrappers made with wheat flour and eggs. They blister up and become pocketed with delightful, oil-filled bubbles when deep-fried, making them simultaneously crunchy and chewy.

What is the slang egg roll? ›

Street name, slang, or code word for 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). MDMA is commonly referred to as ecstasy. Note: Innumerable substances–legal or illicit or combinations thereof–are used to facilitate illegal activities.

Which is healthier, spring roll or egg roll? ›

A: Spring rolls are lighter than egg rolls, typically have more vegetables, and have a lighter wrapper, making them the healthier option.

Are egg rolls healthy? ›

Sure, there are veggies in the filling. But egg rolls are anything but healthy. They're wrapped in dough and deep-fried. The result is an appetizer that packs more than 220 calories and 10 grams of fat in each one.

Does an egg roll have meat? ›

Egg roll filling is mostly shredded cabbage with a small amount of finely chopped meat and other ingredients. The origins of the dish are unclear and remain disputed.

What is an Easter egg roll? ›

The primary Easter Monday entertainment at the White House has always involved egg rolling. Participants roll dyed, hard-boiled eggs across the grass to see whose will go the furthest before cracking.

What are egg rolls called in England? ›

I know what Americans call an egg roll as served in Chinese restaurants and carry-outs is a spring roll or pancake roll here. In Scotland an egg roll would be a fried egg in a Morton's morning roll. In England it might be a fried egg in a barmcake/bap/bread roll according to location.

Are egg rolls Chinese or Japanese? ›

Foodtimeline.org says, “egg rolls (and their lighter counterpart, spring rolls) date back to ancient China. It is quite likely that egg-roll type foods were made and consumed in the USA by the first Chinese settlers in the mid 1800's.” Okay, now we are getting somewhere.

How do you keep egg rolls crispy? ›

Cool your rolls on a wire rack instead of a paper towel or plate. Regardless of whether you air fried, deep-fried, or baked your egg rolls, do not let them cool on a paper towel or plate. Instead, use a pair of tongs to set the egg rolls on a raised cooling rack with a baking sheet underneath it.

Why are there no eggs in egg rolls? ›

Contrary to popular belief, the egg isn't necessary to make an egg roll, even though it does have it in its name. The traditional egg roll recipe uses egg in the dough, but most recipes don't call for it anymore; modern egg rolls are usually made up of mixed meat and vegetables wrapped in a rice paper wrapper.

Why is it called an egg? ›

Etymology 1

From Old Norse egg n (“egg”), from Proto-Germanic *ajją (“egg”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ōwyóm (“egg”), likely from *h₂éwis (“bird”), possibly from *h₂ew- (“to enjoy, consume”).

What are egg rolls called in Chinese? ›

In China, we actually call these egg rolls “Chun Jian” (春卷), which directly translate to spring rolls. But that name gets confused with the Vietnamese style spring rolls that are made with rice paper, and these are more commonly known as egg rolls outside of China.

Are egg rolls from China or Japan? ›

Are there any differences between egg rolls from China and Japan? - Quora. Often mistaken for a similar dish, egg rolls are neither Chinese nor Japanese in origin; they were created in a Chinese restaurant in New York in the 1930s.

What's the difference between egg roll and pancake roll? ›

Spring roll wrappers are made with flour and water, and are super thin and crisp once deep-fried, prone to shattering into delicate flakes at first bite. Egg roll wrappers, meanwhile, include egg in their dough, and are noticeably thicker, sturdier, and satisfyingly crunchy.

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