Did You Know That There Are 4 Kinds of Filipino Lumpia?
Discover the different types of Filipino lumpia—from savory to sweet—and what makes each one special.
When people hear “lumpia,” most think of the crunchy, meaty rolls served at every Filipino party. But did you know there’s more than just one kind? In fact, the Philippines has at least four popular types of lumpia, and each one has its own flavor, ingredients, and personality.
Here’s a quick guide to help you get to know the four classic kinds of Filipino lumpia—all of which you can try making at home or buying online.
Lumpiang Shanghai
This is the most well-known version, especially at birthdays and family gatherings. Lumpiang Shanghai is made with ground pork, carrots, onions, garlic, and seasonings, all wrapped in thin spring roll wrappers and deep-fried until golden and crispy. It’s usually served with a sweet chili or banana ketchup dipping sauce. Quick tip: you can buy frozen Lumpiang Shanghai online for convenience!
Lumpiang Toge
Also known as vegetable lumpia or lumpiang gulay, this version uses bean sprouts (toge) as its main ingredient, along with carrots, green beans, cabbage, and sometimes tofu or shrimp. It’s a crunchy, savory snack that’s lighter than the meat-filled version. Lumpiang Toge is usually fried and best served with vinegar dipping sauce.
Lumpiang Sariwa
The word sariwa means “fresh”—and that’s exactly what this lumpia is. Instead of being fried, Lumpiang Sariwa is wrapped in a soft crepe-like wrapper and filled with sautéed vegetables like carrots, cabbage, sweet potatoes, and green beans. It’s topped with a sweet, garlicky peanut sauce and crushed peanuts. You’ll often find this in Filipino restaurants or home-cooked meals for something a little more filling and healthy.
Lumpiang Turon
This one’s for your sweet tooth! Also known simply as Turon, this dessert lumpia is made by wrapping ripe bananas (usually saba variety) with brown sugar and sometimes jackfruit (langka) in lumpia wrappers, then frying it until caramelized and crispy. It’s the perfect sweet snack or merienda—and it’s super easy to find online or in Filipino stores.
Whether you like your lumpia savory or sweet, fried or fresh, there’s one out there for you. Now that you know the four types, which one are you craving today?
Let me know if you’d like a graphic-friendly version or recipe links included too!
This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here