What to Serve with Egg Rolls: 35+ Easy Side Dishes
Wondering what to serve with egg rolls for your next meal? These crispy treats need good friends on your plate!
I love how egg rolls bring crunch and flavor to any table. You can make them the star or part of a bigger meal.
The right sides make egg rolls even better. Some sides come from Asian cooking while others are new ideas. My list has lots of yummy options for you to try!
Why You’ll Love Egg Rolls?
Egg rolls make me happy with their golden crunch and tasty fillings. You can pair them with so many different foods! They work as snacks or can be part of dinner. The best part? Egg rolls taste great with sweet, spicy, tangy, or savory sides.
What to Serve with Egg Rolls?
Your egg roll meal can include rice, noodles, soups, meats, veggies, and more! I’ve tried many sides with my egg rolls. Here are my favorites that will make your meal special.
Rice Dishes
Rice makes a perfect base for egg rolls. The soft grains soak up the sauce while the egg rolls add crunch. My family always asks for rice when I make egg rolls!
- Fried Rice: The bits of egg, veggies, and chicken mix with rice to make each bite amazing. I add extra green onions on top for freshness.
- Chicken Long Rice: Clear noodles with tender chicken pieces swim in tasty broth. The soft texture feels nice against crunchy egg rolls.
- Coconut Rice: Fluffy grains cooked in coconut milk have a sweet tropical flavor. The creamy richness makes plain egg rolls taste extra special. My beach vacation inspired me to try this combo.
Noodle Dishes
Noodles bring a fun texture to your egg roll meal. They twist, slurp, and carry yummy sauces to your mouth. Try these noodle sides for a filling dinner!
- Lo Mein: Soft noodles tossed with veggies and sauce make each bite exciting. The slippery noodles contrast perfectly with crispy egg rolls.
- Kung Pao Noodles: Spicy sauce coats these noodles with peanuts adding crunch. My kids pick out the peppers but love the sweet-hot taste.
- Pad Thai: Tangy, sweet noodles with peanuts and bean sprouts bring Thai flair. You’ll enjoy how the lime brightens up your egg roll meal.
- Chow Mein: Slightly crispy noodles with veggies and meat create texture magic. I could eat these every day with my egg rolls!
Soup Pairings
Hot soup next to crispy egg rolls makes a perfect match. The soup warms you while egg rolls add crunch. My guests always finish their soup bowls!
- Egg Drop Soup: Silky broth with ribbons of egg feels like a warm hug. You can dip corner bits of your egg roll for extra flavor.
- Hot and Sour Soup: Tangy broth with tofu and mushrooms wakes up your taste buds. The zip of vinegar cuts through the rich egg roll filling.
- Chicken Vegetable Soup: Clear broth loaded with tender chicken and colorful veggies adds nutrition. My grandma taught me this perfect pairing.
- Chinese Noodle Soup: Slurpy noodles in savory broth make this filling and comforting. The soup base tastes great with bites of egg roll.
Savory Meat Dishes
Meat dishes turn egg rolls from snacks into a feast. The protein makes the meal filling while egg rolls add fun crunch. Your dinner will feel special!
- Sweet and Sour Chicken: Tangy sauce coats crispy chicken pieces with pineapple adding sweetness. The bright red sauce looks pretty next to golden egg rolls.
- Mongolian Beef: Tender beef strips in glossy sauce with green onions taste rich. You’ll love how the sweet-salty flavor works with egg rolls.
- Sesame Chicken: Sticky, sweet chicken pieces covered in sesame seeds look fancy. I make this when friends come over for dinner.
- Kung Pao Shrimp: Spicy sauce with peanuts and peppers makes the shrimp exciting. The seafood taste brings something new to your egg roll plate.
Quick Vegetables
Veggies add color, nutrition, and fresh flavors to balance egg rolls. They cook fast and make your meal healthier. My plate always has some green!
- Stir-Fried Vegetables: Crisp-tender mixed veggies in light sauce keep their bright colors. The fresh crunch differs from the fried egg roll texture.
- Roasted Bok Choy: Slightly charred leaves with tender stems have a mild cabbage flavor. You’ll enjoy the simple taste with complex egg rolls.
- Asian Green Beans: Blistered beans with garlic and soy sauce stay slightly crunchy. My garden beans taste best in this quick side dish.
- Kimchi: Spicy, tangy fermented cabbage adds bold flavor and healthy benefits. The cold crunch works well with hot egg rolls.
- Spicy Edamame: Green soybean pods tossed with chili flakes and salt make finger food fun. The mild beans inside pop with a spicy coating. I found this combo at a Japanese festival.
Salads and Slaws
Cold, crisp salads bring fresh balance to hot egg rolls. The raw veggies add nutrition and bright flavors. Your taste buds will thank you!
- Easy Crunchy Asian Slaw: Cabbage, carrots, and crunchy noodles in tangy dressing stay crisp. I make extra to eat for lunch the next day.
- Thai Noodle Salad: Cold noodles with veggies in spicy-sweet dressing feel refreshing. The lime and herbs wake up your mouth after rich egg rolls.
- Kimchi Salad: Spicy kimchi mixed with fresh veggies creates a hot-cold contrast. You might need milk nearby if you make it extra spicy!
- Cucumber Yogurt Salad: Cool cucumbers in creamy yogurt sauce calm down spicy fillings. The smooth, cold texture feels nice with hot, crispy egg rolls.
Unique Appetizers
Small bites make egg rolls part of a fun spread. These appetizers share flavors but bring new textures. Your guests can try many different things!
- Dumplings: Soft wrappers around savory fillings can be steamed or pan-fried. I like to serve both egg rolls and dumplings for texture contrast.
- Spring Rolls: Fresh, unfried wrappers hold raw veggies and herbs for light flavor. The cold, soft spring rolls balance hot, crunchy egg rolls.
- Fried Wontons: Small crispy packages with meat or cream cheese inside add variety. My kids help fold these before our special dinners.
Crunchy and Fried Sides
More crispy foods make an extra fun meal with egg rolls. Different shapes and flavors keep things interesting. Your fingers will stay busy!
- Hash Browns: Golden potato shreds fried till crispy outside and soft inside. The salty potato taste makes a great break between egg rolls. My dad taught me to add onion powder for extra flavor.
- Tempura: Light, airy batter coats veggies or shrimp for delicate crunch. The pale gold color looks pretty next to darker egg rolls.
- Mozzarella Sticks: Melty cheese pulls in strings from the crispy breaded coating. You can dip both these and egg rolls in marinara sauce!
- Avocado Fries: Creamy green wedges wear crispy jackets for rich, unusual bites. I discovered these at a food truck and now make them often.
- Blooming Onion: Petals of onion in seasoned coating fan out for a dramatic look. The mild onion taste works well between egg roll bites.
Dipping Sauces
Sauces make egg rolls even better! Each dip adds a new flavor to the same egg roll. My table always has at least three sauce choices.
- Sweet and Sour Sauce: Bright red sauce balances sweet and tangy notes perfectly. You can also pour it over rice for extra flavor.
- Hoisin Sauce: Sweet, thick sauce with a five-spice flavor that works with many foods. The dark purple-brown color looks rich on your plate.
- Teriyaki Sauce: Glossy, sweet-salty sauce with ginger and garlic notes tastes amazing. My homemade version has pineapple juice for extra tang.
Final Thoughts
Egg rolls can be the start of so many yummy meals! I love trying different sides to find new favorite combos. You might like egg rolls with rice one day and soup the next.
Try mixing crispy sides with soft ones. Add something fresh with something cooked. Play with sweet, sour, spicy, and salty tastes.
The best part? You can make easy meals or fancy feasts with egg rolls at the center. My family has egg roll night once a month with different sides each time.
What will you serve with your egg rolls? The choices are all yours to enjoy!
