Lumpia Isda Recipe: The Best Tasting Lumpia Ever

A staple of Eastern cuisine, there is no doubt that spring rolls make some of the most fantastic snacks for special occasions, like events or parties. Lumpia isda, also known as fish lumpia, is especially popular in Chinese and Filipino cuisine. Swapping the meat for fish, lumpia isda is a creative take on traditional spring rolls. Although fish is not as common as ham, pork, or beef when it comes to spring rolls, we believe lumpia isda is a hidden gem, especially for those who want to opt for seafood rather than red meat. It’s a great way to get children interested in consuming seafood. Generally combined with various vegetables like carrots, lumpia isda is one of the best Pinoy foods. Whether you have an event to organize or want to impress your date with your skills in the kitchen, make sure you take a look at our lumpia isda recipe.

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• How to prepare lumpia isda
• Ingredients for lumpia isda recipe
• Instructions for lumpia isda recipe
• To sum up
• Lumpia Isda Recipe
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How to prepare lumpia isda

Although you can buy these authentic delights frozen, nothing can match the joy of cooking for yourself. Preparing lumpia isda from scratch offers you just that, as you need to put a good amount of effort into it. Luckily for beginners, however, making lumpia isda is easy, although there are simpler Pinoy foods you can try to cook.

There are three essential aspects when making an authentic lumpia isda — preparing the fish, the filling, and the dipping sauce, all of which require a detailed approach. We have covered every part for you in our recipe below. 

1. The fish

The main ingredient of lumpia isda, the fish, depends on your taste. Feel free to experiment with different types of seafood until you find the one that works for you. In a typical Western cocktail, you will likely be offered a lumpia isda with shrimp. However, for those who want to stay true to the original recipe, we recommend using Maya-Maya (red snapper), Lapu-Lapu (epinephelinae), or Labahita. Most lumpia isda recipes also opt for Galunggong (mackerel) or Milkfish (common in the Philippines), which are wonderful options too. But, if you can’t get any of these fish, you can always opt for any kind of groundfish easily. Tuna is usually the go-to fish for most people.

Add one or two cups of water and one tbsp. salt to a frying pan or a wok. After reaching the boiling point, remove the head and lay the fish. Simmer the fish gently for a few minutes, then drain and set it aside.

2. The filling

Let’s start with the cornerstone items, namely garlic, and onions. These are must-haves, as they pair well and bring a great taste that enhances the flavor of your lumpia isda. Saute the minced garlic and chopped onions in heated oil. We recommend using the same wok or frying pan that you used for the fish. You should not skip vegetables, too, as they will add another layer of depth to your dish. Carrots are generally the most preferred vegetables on lumpia isda; however, we encourage you to try and add water chestnuts and mushrooms. Add the minced carrots to the pan, and let them turn brown. After you turn the heat off, we recommend adding some parsley and celery for a better taste. Don’t forget to add some soy sauce to spice up the taste of your filling. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. Frying 

Get your lumpia wrappers ready. Place one tbsp. of filling on each, with any amount of fish you want, and dab the edges with water to ensure they are tightly sealed. Rinse and repeat. Place the rolls on the wok and deep fry until they turn brown gold, which should take only a few minutes. We recommend using high smoke point oil for the best results. Canola or peanut oil is ideal. 

4. The dipping sauce

Lastly, your dish is not ready without a proper dipping sauce. Luckily, this one is completely up to your taste. So many dipping sauces pair well with lumpia isda, from ketchup, an all-time classic, to chili sauce and more. We also recommend trying spiced vinegar.

Ingredients for lumpia isda recipe

• 1-2 pounds of fish.
• ¼ cup chopped onion.
• ¼ cup chopped garlic.
• ¼ cup chopped carrots.
• 2 stalks of celery (optional).
• ¼ cup chopped parsley (optional).
• 1 cup of soy sauce.
• 1 teaspoon salt.
• ½ teaspoon black pepper.
• 20-25 lumpia wrappers.
• Water.
• 2 cups of oil for frying, ideally canola or peanut oil.

Instructions for lumpia isda recipe

1. Add one/two cups of water and one tbsp. of salt to the wok. After reaching the boiling point, add the fish. 

2. Simmer gently until the fish turns brown, then drain and remove from the wok.

3. In the same wok, add the minced garlic and chopped onions, and saute until brown. Add carrots, parsley, and celery. Mix with soy sauce.

4. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Place one tbsp. of filling into the lumpia wrapper, add some fish, and dab the edges with water to tightly seal it. Rinse and repeat.

6. Place the rolls into the wok gently. Using canola or peanut oil, deep fry until they turn brown, which should take a few minutes.

7. Serve with a dipping sauce.

To sum up

If you like spring rolls, we recommend you try lumpia isda, which swaps meat for seafood, specifically fish. The perfect snack for special events, it’s easy to prepare. Our lumpia isda recipe offers everything you need to know before heading to the kitchen. Follow our tips for a more authentic experience.