Sis and I went to Ongpin [Chinatown] two days ago. After doing a little food shopping, we indulged ourselves in no less than Chinese Lumpia [Chinese Spring Roll] or what is better known as Popiah.
This is the first time we bought from a little hole-in-the-wall called New Po Heng Lumpia House. Our mouths watered when we saw fresh lumpia being prepared through the glass window.
Popiahis fresh spring roll made up of stir-fried grated jicama, grated carrots, bean sprouts, lettuce leaves, tofu,ground pork and chopped peanuts. It is made special with the addition of shredded seaweeds. Then, it is wrapped in a special thin, crepe-like wrapper topped with a sweet brown sauce.
Final verdict? We found it to be too dry. The wrapper should be thin and soft, theirs are a little thicker and chewier like it was a couple of days old. Our cravings for Lumpia were not satisfied so we went someplace else. A place where Chinese Lumpia is a specialty….. The New Eastern Garden Restaurant.