Lumpiang Galunggong for a delicious meatless spring roll variety. Golden, crispy, and filled with flaked fish, water chestnuts, mushrooms, and celery, they’re delicious and absolutely addictive!
This lumpiang galunggong recipe was first published on the blog in 2013 and I am updating it today with new photos because these crispy fish spring rolls are a great meatless dish to enjoy this Lent season as well as year-round.
They’re a tasty and addicting appetizer or snack you’d want to keep a big batch handy in the freezer AT ALL times. Golden, crunchy, and filled to the brim with flaked fish, chopped water chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms, and Chinese celery, you’d be hard-pressed to eat just one!
Although other firm-fleshed fish such as bangus or tilapia will work in this recipe, I suggest using galunggong (round scad), mackarel or bonito as they’re relatively cheap, meaty and don’t have a lot of bones to pick through.
For a quicker option, you also substitute canned tuna for the fresh fish. Drain well, flake, and combine with the water chestnuts, mushrooms, and celery.
Tips on how to make Lumpiang Galunggong:
- To keep the filling moist, do not overcook the fish. Poach in soy sauce just long enough to be able to easily flake the flesh off the bones.
- Drain the filling mixture well and completely cool before wrapping to keep the excess liquid or steam from tearing the spring roll wrappers.
- To prevent the wrappers from drying out while wrapping, cover with a damp cloth.
- For the best crunchy texture, fry the lumpia in enough oil. Use high-smoke point oils such as safflower, canola, peanut or corn oil.
- Make sure to fry at the optimal oil temperature range of 350 F to 375 F. Too high, the wrapper will brown too quickly. Too low, the spring rolls will absorb a lot more grease.
How to Serve Fish Lumpia
These fish lumpia are delicious as a midday snack or appetizer and are also great paired with steamed rice as an all-day meal. For the best experience, serve them hot and fresh from the pan with choice of dipping sauces such as spicy vinegar, sweet and sour sauce or banana ketchup.
More Filipino-style Spring Roll Recipes
Lumpiang Galunggong
Ingredients
- 6 pieces dried shiitake mushrooms
- 1 pound (about 5 to 6 large pieces) galunggong, cleaned, gutted, and heads removed
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- water
- canola oil
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 cup water chestnuts, chopped
- 2 cups Chinese celery, chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 package (24 pieces) springroll wrappers
Instructions
- In a bowl, soak shiitake mushrooms in warm water for about 30 minutes or until softened. Remove from water and squeeze excess liquid. Finely chop and set aside.
- In a pot over medium heat, combine fish, soy sauce, and enough water to cover fish. Bring to a boil, removing any scum that floats on top. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes or just until fish can be easily flaked from the bones.
- Remove fish, discarding liquid. Let cool to touch and flake flesh, discarding bones.
- In a wide skillet over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon of oil. Add onions and garlic and cook softened.
- Add water chestnuts and shiitake mushrooms. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes or until heated.
- Add flaked fish and cook until just heated through.
- and Chinese celery and continue to cook until celery is just wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from pan and drain excess liquid, if any.
- Separate spring roll wrappers into individual sheets. On a flat working surface, lay wrapper like a diamond.
- Spoon about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of fish mixture on the middle of the wrapper. Fold the bottom pointed end of wrapper over filling. Fold side ends of the sheet inward and roll into a log. Wet the pointed edge of the wrapper with water to completely seal. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- In a skillet over medium heat, heat about 1 inch deep of oil. Add spring rolls in a single layer and deep fry, turning once or twice, for about 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
- Drain on a wire rack. Serve immediately with spiced vinegar.
Video
Nutrition
I am so glad I found you on the internet (looking for recipe to make salted eggs). I downloaded some of your recipes before I found your free cookbook. I am partial to recipes by Kapampangans, as I was born in San Fernanado, Pampanga. Thanks so much for what you do , sharing our flair for good food with everyone. My mom used to love the sauteed crickets, though I thought they were locusts! It must be a Kapampangan taste.
I would rate all your recipes five stars!!! Thanks again.
Thank you so much, Cherie. I hope you find the ecookbook and recipes here helpful.
The crickets! I wanted to make some when I went home in December but we couldn’t find any camaro in our city market. I guess camaro only come out during the wet season. Bummer!