anythings

It’s a wrap

Wrap and Roll (no, not rock 'n' roll) specialises in one of Vietnam's most popular traditional fast foods - the spring roll. With a menu offering about 35 varieties of rolls, including prerolled and roll-it-yourself varieties, the restaurant is well worth a visit for fans of this perennial favourite.
Designed in the form of a cylinder, with large windows looking out onto the street, a skylight set in the high, sloping roof to let in a little sunlight, and polished cement floors, Wrap and Roll feels chic, modern and fresh. Decorated in yellow, green and orange, the restaurant reflects the fresh colours of its specialties. In the morning, Wrap and Roll serves steamed rice crepes (banh cuon) for breakfast. You can select from a list of six varieties of steamed rice crepes with different fillings, including shrimp, pork, vegetarian and mixed crepes. I opt for the shrimp filling (VND22,000), which combines well with some small pieces of Vietnamese pork sausage (VND8,000). Without fish sauce, this dish could be a little bland. As a side dish I try crispy fried tofu (VND5,000), which is crispy and well-done, but the lack of marjoram and mam tom (shrimp paste) which are the traditional accompaniments let it down. From the roll-it-yourself menu, pork and pickled shrimp rolls (VND58,000) is a good selection. The shrimp are really tasty, sour and spicy, combining perfectly with the thinly sliced boiled pork, vegetables and rice vermicelli, all of which is rolled in rice paper and served with delicious fish sauce, making for a perfect fusion of flavours. Bamboo shoot salad (VND32,000) served with crispy rice paper can be added. The drink list at Wrap and Roll is not extensive, but includes traditional teas and fruit juices, as well as red wine - although I'm not sure if this would go so well with these kinds of traditional dishes. Wrap and Roll's service is friendly and attentive. The ambience is cool and fresh - perhaps even a little cold. It would be perfect if the founder knew how to make it a little warmerWrap and RollAdd: 62 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist 1Tel: (84-8) 823 4030