Rice Paper Wontons

A Whole New World in Malaysia

Chinese New Year has always been an enjoyable and fascinating time for us. It was something we had never experienced before. The vibrant decorations, meaningful rituals, lion dances, reunion dinners — everything felt magical.

When we moved from India to Malaysia, it opened up a whole new world of food and tradition. The multicultural celebrations, especially Chinese New Year, captured our hearts. We were warmly welcomed by friends who generously shared their festive meals and customs with us.

From yee sang tosses to mandarin oranges exchanged with smiles, we embraced it all — and of course, we happily tasted everything that came our way!

A Memorable CNY in Ho Chi Minh

Some years ago, during Chinese New Year, we travelled to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. It turned out to be one of our most memorable festive seasons.

While there, we attended a fantastic cooking class. It was hands-on, vibrant, and filled with the aromas of fresh herbs, fish sauce, and sizzling pans. We learnt to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes — simple yet deeply flavourful.

At the end of the class, the chef surprised us with a bundle of delicate rice paper sheets. At the time, I didn’t realise how useful that gift would become!

A Creative Rice Paper Discover

Last year, while browsing online for festive recipes, I stumbled upon an idea for Chinese meatballs and wontons made using rice paper instead of traditional wonton wrappers.

It immediately reminded me of that cooking class in Ho Chi Minh.

Curious and excited, I decided to test it out — and it was a delightful surprise! The rice paper created a slightly chewy, delicate outer layer, quite different from the usual wonton skin but equally delicious. The filling remained juicy and flavourful, and the texture contrast made it even more interesting.

We honestly couldn’t wait to dig in.

Food, Memories & Celebrations

Cooking Class in Ho Chi Minh 2016 — Making Spring Rolls

For me, Chinese New Year is more than just a festival. It represents shared tables, new friendships, cultural discovery, and the joy of trying something different.

From moving countries to learning new traditions, and from a cooking class in Vietnam to experimenting in my own kitchen — food has beautifully connected all these moments.

And sometimes, inspiration comes from a simple bundle of rice paper waiting patiently in your pantry.

Rice Paper Chicken Meatballs / Wontons

A simple, budget-friendly and festive-friendly recipe using ingredients easily available in Malaysia.

Ingredients:

300–400g chicken mince

1 tablespoon cornflour

1 egg

½–¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2–3 tablespoons finely chopped spring onions

10–12 rice paper sheets

Water (for softening rice paper)

Method:

Prepare the filling

In a bowl, combine chicken mince, cornflour, egg, salt, pepper and spring onions. Mix well until slightly sticky. Do not overmix.

Soften the rice paper

Dip one rice paper sheet briefly into room-temperature water (about 5–8 seconds). Lay it flat on a plate or clean surface. It will continue to soften as it rests.

Shape

Place a spoonful of chicken mixture in the centre.

Fold like a parcel or roll like a wonton. If the sheet is large, you can cut it into halves or quarters before wrapping.

Cooking options

You can cook them three ways:

Steam for 8–10 minutes until fully cooked.

Pan-fry lightly with a little oil until golden on both sides.

Add to soup and simmer gently until cooked through.