I come from three worlds. The first world is that which sprung from freedom and drives innovation; it is the United States. The second world is that of Latin America; my mother’s Guatemala is filled with dreams for the future. Lastly, the third world is that of the East, specifically Vietnam; tradition and respect are what hold the country together. I had once strived to separate these worlds into each its own category, but what I’ve come to realize is that it is the melding of these cultures that truly reveals the person I am today. My father’s entire family lives in Vietnam, while he himself is alone in Georgia. On the other hand, my mother’s entire family lives close to one another within Georgia. Furthermore, my father told me in the beginning of his relationship with my mother, he sometimes felt awkward or nervous when surrounded by her family. They mostly spoke Spanish and had an entirely different culture from him. He was not sure how to interact or bond with them. That was until he was asked if he could bring a dish to Thanksgiving. My mother’s Thanksgiving usually involved, of course, a turkey and dishes such as cornbread. However, it also included Guatemalan food such as chismol or arroz Guatemalteco (Guatemalan rice.) For this occasion, my father decided to bring fried egg rolls and fresh spring rolls to dinner. They were a hit. My mother’s family experienced culture shock, as they had never eaten authentic Vietnamese food before. Therefore, for the 25 years that have followed, my father has brought egg rolls and spring rolls to every holiday, and shared cooking recipes with my mother’s family. Given this, a major part of my life has involved the food from both Guatemala and Vietnam. Although both countries’ cuisines are incredibly different, food in general can bring individuals with different backgrounds together. Thinking of this, I decided to make Vietnamese spring rolls for my project because of the important role they played in creating the family and traditions I have now.

Vietnamese spring rolls, or Vietnamese Gỏi Cuốn, are a healthy dish primarily composed of vegetables, lean protein, and rice noodles. In most restaurants spring rolls are comprised of boiled shrimp, pork with basil and mint, cucumbers, cilantro, and rice noodles, although there are many variations. Some rolls may include apples, mangos, bananas, tofu, etc. Vegetables may be pickled and even different noodles may be used to replace rice vermicelli, such as glass noodles. Spring rolls are subjective and made to suit the tastes of the roller. They are usually served as an appetizer; however, if desired, they can also be a main course.

Furthermore, spring rolls are originally a Chinese dish that began in the Tang Dynasty and slowly made their way to Vietnam through Chinese immigrants. The name stems from how the rolls were originally filled with seasonal spring vegetables. While in Vietnam, they were modified to suit the taste and ingredients of the region. Perhaps from a more ethnocentric viewpoint, some may argue that spring rolls originated in Vietnam. It has also been said that spring rolls were developed during the reign of the Vietnamese Emperor Nguyễn Huệ Quang Trung. They were made so soldiers would have an easy meal to eat while on the move. Regardless of their origin, spring rolls have become a staple in Vietnam. They are as well-known and popular as a can of Coca-Cola in the United States. Their continued consumption throughout centuries demonstrates their role as a traditional Vietnamese dish. Making this dish has become a tradition within almost every Vietnamese household, for those living in Vietnam, and those living outside the country.

In 1981, my father left Vietnam, taking with him a small bag and a handful of memories. These memories contained traditional Vietnamese recipes he had learned from his mother. Some of these recipes were complex and intricate, while others, simple and humble. As stated previously, he brought fried egg rolls and spring rolls to my mother’s family Thanksgiving. Between these two dishes, egg rolls are more complex to make as compared to spring rolls. After seeing how much my mother’s family enjoyed the food, he pondered on different ways he could utilize the food to bond with everyone. Therefore, not only did he decide to bring the same food to every holiday, but he spent time teaching my relatives how to make the dishes. One of the most amazing aspects of spring rolls is they can be made by anyone, from grandparents to grandchildren. In light of this, another tradition within my household is to gather around a table and roll the spring rolls next to one another. The ingredients and bowls are placed in the middle of the table, and we simultaneously roll and eat the food together. We may do this on special occasions, such as birthdays, or even spontaneously throughout the week. During these moments we laugh, enjoy one another’s company and have great conversations. These types of moments are unforgettable and looked back upon for years to come. It has become a vital part of my family history.

Overall, I enjoyed the project as a whole because it allows for creativity and is a nice break from a traditional exam. I chose a dish that was simple to prepare and fun to make. I had a wonderful time going to an Asian grocery store called the Hong Kong Market to collect the ingredients. Its incredibly fun looking at items not found in American grocery stores, and it also opens doors to ideas of other types of food. This project also allowed me to learn more about how spring rolls have impacted my father’s life. For this project I decided to invite a group of friends over for dinner at my house. They came expecting a plate full of food, but instead I handed them an empty plate and a table full of various vegetables, shrimp, noodles, and rice paper. I wanted them to experience my family’s spring roll tradition, and everyone made their own spring rolls. We spent our time talking and eventually had a little noodle food fight. My hope was they would take the memories we made together back home and maybe even create new ones with their own families. I believe traditions are meant to be experienced, shared and passed on regardless of their origin. Traditions bring people together and allow individuals to forge strong bonds with one another.