Gỏi Cuốn (Vietnamese Fresh Salad Rolls) are the lighter, fresher alternative to deep-fried spring rolls. At Bolsa Restaurant, we make our Gỏi Cuốn daily using softened rice paper sheets filled with a combination of cooked shrimp, sliced pork, fresh rice vermicelli, crisp lettuce, fresh mint, cilantro, and sliced cucumber. Each roll is tightly wrapped to hold everything in place — you can see the vibrant fillings through the translucent rice paper.
The Gỏi Cuốn are served with our house peanut hoisin dipping sauce — thick, slightly sweet, with a hint of chili heat and a deep nutty flavour that complements the delicate freshness of the rolls perfectly. These make an excellent starter before a bowl of pho or vermicelli, a light lunch on their own, or a shareable appetizer for the whole table. Fresh, healthy, and incredibly flavourful — this is Vietnamese food at its most elegant.
What is the Difference Between Salad Rolls and Spring Rolls?
Many Calgary diners ask about the difference between Gỏi Cuốn (fresh salad rolls) and Chả Giò (crispy spring rolls). While both are wrapped rolls, salad rolls use soft, uncooked rice paper and are served cold — they are fresh, light, and focused on the natural flavours of the ingredients. Spring rolls, by contrast, are deep-fried to a golden crisp. At Bolsa, both are outstanding in their own right — we encourage guests to try both as starters on their first visit.
Our House Peanut Hoisin Dipping Sauce
The dipping sauce is what transforms Gỏi Cuốn from a simple roll into a full flavour experience. Bolsa Restaurant's house peanut hoisin sauce is a thick, slightly sweet, umami-rich blend of hoisin sauce, crushed roasted peanuts, a squeeze of lime, garlic, and a touch of chili. It is a sauce that many of our regulars in Calgary SE say they could eat by the spoonful — and we take that as a compliment.
A Perfect Start to Your Vietnamese Meal in Calgary
Whether you are dining in at Bolsa Restaurant's comfortable Macleod Plaza location or picking up takeout, Gỏi Cuốn travel remarkably well when kept cool. Order a serving as a starter to share with the table, or pair them with a bowl of Phở Tái or a Bún Thịt Nướng for the full Bolsa Restaurant experience. We serve southeast Calgary's Acadia, Haysboro, Willow Park, and surrounding communities with fresh, authentic Vietnamese food every day we are open.
