Pork, shrimp, and vegetables are folded into a paper-thin lumpia wrapper and then fried to crisp golden perfection in this traditional recipe for Filipino Lumpia.
Over 20 years ago, I tasted lumpia for the first time. I fell in love with them at first bite.
Filipino Lumpia
Unfortunately, I lost touch with the friend who introduced them to me, courtesy of her mama’s cooking. I remembered them a few years ago and realized that I might be able to make them at home.
Then I ran into a problem. Where would I find the recipe? I looked online and didn’t find anything that sounded quite right. The lumpia that I remembered was not your average eggroll.
There wasn’t cabbage or an abundance of vegetables in them. I simply remembered that there were a lot of different flavors packed into a very thin wrapper.
I mentioned my lumpia craving to a friend, (thanks, Sandra!) who told me to look for one of her friends on Facebook. I did that and proceeded to message back and forth with her friend, Irene, who was happy to chat about lumpia recipes for a bit to make sure I had it right.
The lumpia turned out fabulously and my middle son immediately requested them for his birthday meal the following year. We like to serve lumpia with this Simple Asian-inspired Rice and bowls of Egg Drop Soup.
In my house, a birthday request is the very highest of food compliments. Everyone in the family devoured these and my youngest actually cried when they were gone. There wasn’t a single one left or we probably would have eaten more.
Over the years, I’ve made traditional lumpia, Baked Filipino Lumpia, and when I’m short on time, this easy recipe for a Filipino Lumpia Skillet is always a hit!
(Once you’ve tried the lumpia skillet, you’ll want to try the original Egg Roll Skillet and the Sausage Egg Roll in a Bowl for more fun variations.)
If you love all the flavors of traditional lumpia and egg roll recipes, but just don’t have the time to roll them each time you’re craving them, the skillet recipes are sure to thrill you!
Dipping Sauces for Filipino Lumpia
We like to use a couple of different sweet and sour hot sauces for dipping. My husband enjoys the heat of Lingham’s Sweet & Spicy Hot Sauce and my younger boys and I prefer the sweetness of Mae Ploy Sweet Chili Sauce.
My oldest son mixes the two and declared that perfect. My friend Irene also mentioned that she likes Frank’s Sweet Chili Sauce, however, I didn’t see that one at my store.
Lumpia Recipe
The first time I made these, I misunderstood the original directions and I cooked and crumbled the ground pork prior to mixing it with the other ingredients.
It was supposed to be mixed together in the style of meatloaf with all the other ingredients and then fried and cooked that way. I loved the way mine turned out, so I have chosen to share that particular method.
I’ve also made them as originally intended with raw meat and they’re delicious that way. I simply find it simpler (with less concern to whether they’re cooked through) to make them the way the recipe is written above.
If you decide to make them with the more traditional method, be certain the meat is fully cooked in the oil. Irene recommends just a teaspoon or so of the mix in each lumpia and the cooking them 5-6 minutes or until golden brown.
Where To Buy Lumpia Wrappers
I am fortunate to live within a couple of miles of an Oriental supermarket. It is huge! I had never been there before and it was an awesome experience to just wander the aisles.
It was an entire superstore of the most exotic Oriental foods. I can hardly wait to try another new recipe! Luckily, I was able to find authentic Filipino lumpia wrappers. (There was an entire freezer section of nothing but different wrapping papers!)
Honestly, the special wrappers did make a big difference. The ones that I wrapped using basic spring roll wrappers were delicious, but the ones in the paper-thin lumpia wrappers were phenomenal.
Kitchen Tip: I use this bowl, this pan, and these tongs to make this recipe.
If you’re craving more eggroll style recipes, check out these Italian Eggrolls, Chicken Cordon Bleu Eggrolls, Macaroni and Cheese Eggrolls, Southwestern Eggrolls, and don’t miss these Breakfast Eggrolls with Sausage Gravy!
How To Make Filipino Lumpia
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork cooked and crumbled
- 1 8 ounce can water chestnuts chopped
- 1 4 ounces can sliced mushrooms chopped
- 1 4 ounce can large shrimp chopped
- 1/2 cup green onions chopped
- 1/3 cup sweet yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves fresh garlic pressed
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 2 eggs beaten
- lumpia wrappers or spring roll wrappers
- 2 cups oil for frying I used refined coconut oil, flavorless and unscented
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except for the eggs in a bowl, and mix with your hands. (per Irene, this way it is with love!) After it’s all mixed, cover it and let it sit in the fridge for an hour (or up to 24 hours) before wrapping.
- Open the lumpia wrappers and cut in half to form rectangular strips or in quarters to make bite size rolls. The lumpia wrappers are larger than most eggroll or spring roll wrappers. If you are using spring roll wrappers, you can cut them in half or leave them the bigger size.
- Carefully peel the wrappers apart and place about a tablespoon of filling on each one. Roll them according to your preference and then dip your finger in the beaten egg and seal the edges. Set the rolls aside until ready to cook. I found it was easiest to roll them all in an assembly line and then cook them in batches.
- In a small sauce pan, heat about 2 inches of oil over medium high. Once the oil is hot, use tongs to place a few rolls in the oil at a time. Let cook for about a minute on one side and then turn to cook the other. If the oil covers them completely, just turn as needed to make sure they are cooking evenly. When they are lightly golden brown, remove from the oil and place on a paper towel covered plate. Serve with dipping sauces of your choice. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 1/17/12 – recipes notes and photos updated 3/10/22}
Jenn says
Oh my gosh, I can't believe that you know Lumpia too!! I had a friend in college who introduced them to me.. and like you, I have not had them since! Thanks so much for posting this recipe, i can't wait to try making them myself!!
Mary says
This made me grin. What is it about lumpia that everyone remembers so fondly? It's just so delicious!
Anonymous says
Can these be frozen once they are cooked?
Yavonne says
Yes
Hana says
I usually freeze them in their raw state that way when you fry them they will be crispy.
Janice says
Yes!! crispier,thats how we cook them in our house too.
Gloria olaer ybalio says
These can be frozen after wrapping. Then you can fry anytime you want to… …remove from freezer then set aside for 2 minutes before fry.
Angie's Recipes says
Love lumpia 😉 Yours look just like my mom had prepared for us during CNY.
Big Dude says
These look great Mary and I'd like to try them. What size are the cans you used.
Mary says
The cans were about the size of tuna cans. I'll check the ounces next time I'm at the store and I'll update the recipe to included that info. I'm pretty sure they are the only sizes that the store had for those items though. Good luck with it! I'm already craving them again.
Pam says
They look so crispy and delicious!
Anna @ hiddenponies says
Your "youngest actually cried when they were gone" – love it! These look delicious, I'm had something similar but didn't know what they were called!
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
I'm really impressed – these not only look delicious – they don't sound the simplest thing to cook!! I could dive in and polish these off – wonderful recipe
mary x
Shu Han says
that's delicious! they remind me of deep fried spring rolls! you are so lucky to live near an oriental market! I go possibly every couple of months only, and each time, I do a major stockup of my must-haves!
Geni says
These are fantastic looking and a good tried and true recipe is always the best!
sweetcarolinescooking.com says
Can you say yum!? These look fabulous, Mary. I want!
Anonymous says
Looks very tasty, you should buy that Sandra girl dinner.
Mary says
I'm planning on it. See you Saturday! Thanks again for introducing me to Irene. I owe you.
Words Of Deliciousness says
I have never heard of Lumpia before. They look delicious.
Becki's Whole Life says
These look perfect. I am afraid if I made these my girls would request them (and I would want them) weekly…not realizing that the take a little work to make:-) That's right – I forgot that the ones I used to have had shrimp in them. I seriously want to make them this weekend.
We have a large Asian Market near our house – it is a great treat to go, I agree!
sportsglutton says
I haven't had lumpia in like over 15 years, but am now craving it! Thanks for the pleasant reminder and for sharing the recipe.
Jeff Rasmussen says
Those look delicious! I can imagine munching on a pile of them! Maybe it's a bad thing you shared the recipe? I'm surprised with how many people know of them, I'll have to get on this train!
JavelinWarrior says
Love these! And I’ve been inspired to feature your lumpia in my Friday Food Fetish roundup and on Pinterest. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next and please let me know if you have any objections…
Chris says
Wow, you dredged up memories. Before we moved to TN, Alexis and I had 3 generations of a Filipino family living in two homes next to us. Every birthday was a food celebration and they would have tons of family over. Fortunately, their sons and my son were best friends so we got to share in the food. The one thing I remember the most was the fresh made lumpia that Gemma made. Best things ever.
I have got to try these!
Anonymous says
Those are called Lumpia Shanghai
Anonymous says
That is what I loved about Military Life. Getting and trying recipes from all the woman in the neighbor hood on in the company We learned so much form each other
EmilyKB says
Can you bake these? I can't eat anything fried 😀 Thanks!!
Mary Younkin says
Hi Emily, Yes, I have baked them as well. I posted that version of the recipe here: http://barefeetinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2012/03/baked-filipino-lumpia.html I hope that helps! Good luck.
wolfdogz says
Are the 2 eggs for the mixture or for sealing the wrappers, cause for us newbies making it like me. Added all the ingredients and let the mix set. Then down the ways it says use beaten eggs to seal wrappers. If it was for the wrappers only, will egg in the mix affect the outcome?