Egg Roll in a Bowl - Easy Egg Roll Salad - Food Wishes
Egg Roll in a Bowl - Easy Egg Roll Salad - Food Wishes is a easy American Chinese recipe that serves 2. 650 calories per serving. Recipe by Food Wishes on YouTube.
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 21 min | Total: 46 min
Cost: $16.96 total, $8.48 per serving
Ingredients
- 8 pieces Wonton Wrappers (cut into quarter‑inch strips)
- 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil (for tossing wonton strips)
- 0.5 head Savoy Cabbage (shredded)
- 1 piece Carrot (julienned into matchsticks)
- 0.25 cup Red Bell Pepper (thinly sliced)
- 2 stalks Green Onions (separate white and green parts; green parts for garnish)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Fresh Ginger (finely grated)
- 3 tbsp Soy Sauce (low‑sodium preferred)
- 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar (adds acidity)
- 1 tbsp Sake or Chinese Rice Wine (optional, adds depth)
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil (toasted flavor)
- 1 tsp White Sugar (balances acidity)
- 0.125 tsp Cayenne Pepper (adds heat)
- 0.125 tsp White Pepper (mild pepper flavor)
- 1 tsp Ketchup (adds slight sweetness and color)
- 0.5 tsp Cornstarch (thickens sauce)
- 0.5 lb Ground Pork (80% lean, provides flavor and moisture)
Instructions
Prepare and Bake Crispy Wonton Strips
Cut the wonton wrappers into quarter‑inch strips, toss them with 1 tbsp vegetable oil until evenly coated, spread in a single layer on a parchment‑lined baking sheet, and bake at 350°F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp. Let cool.
Time: PT17M
Temperature: 350°F
Shred Cabbage and Prepare Vegetables
Halve a small savoy cabbage, remove the core, and thinly slice across the grain to create shredded cabbage. Julienne one medium carrot and thinly slice ¼ cup red bell pepper. Set all aside.
Time: PT5M
Prepare Aromatics and Sauce
Mince 2 garlic cloves, grate 1 tsp fresh ginger, and slice the white and green parts of the green onions separately. In a small bowl whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, optional sake, sesame oil, sugar, cayenne, white pepper, ketchup, and cornstarch until smooth.
Time: PT5M
Cook Ground Pork
Heat a large skillet over medium‑high heat. Add the 0.5 lb ground pork (no extra oil needed) and break it up with a spatula. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and slightly crisp, about 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: medium‑high
Stir‑Fry Vegetables with Pork
Add the shredded cabbage, carrot matchsticks, red pepper, and the white parts of the green onions to the skillet. Toss and cook for 1–2 minutes, just until the vegetables begin to soften but remain crisp.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium‑high
Finish with Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce over the meat‑vegetable mixture. Stir and cook another 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything with a glossy glaze.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium‑high
Assemble the Bowl
Divide the stir‑fry into two serving bowls. Top each with a handful of the baked wonton strips and the green parts of the sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Time: PT1M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 650
- Protein
- 45 g
- Carbohydrates
- 15 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Fiber
- 4 g
Dietary info: Contains meat, Not vegetarian, Contains gluten, Low sugar
Allergens: Soy, Wheat (wonton wrappers), Sesame
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Wonton Wrappers: Spring roll wrappers, Egg roll wrappers
- Instead of Vegetable Oil: Canola oil, Sunflower oil
- Instead of Savoy Cabbage: Green cabbage, Napa cabbage
- Instead of Carrot: Daikon radish, Parsnip
- Instead of Red Bell Pepper: Yellow bell pepper, Orange bell pepper
- Instead of Green Onions: Scallions
- Instead of Garlic: Garlic paste
- Instead of Fresh Ginger: Ground ginger (use half amount)
- Instead of Soy Sauce: Tamari, Coconut aminos
- Instead of Rice Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar (use half)
- Instead of Sake or Chinese Rice Wine: Dry white wine, Dry sherry
- Instead of Sesame Oil: Peanut oil (use less)
- Instead of White Sugar: Honey (use half)
- Instead of Cayenne Pepper: Red pepper flakes
- Instead of White Pepper: Black pepper
- Instead of Ketchup: Tomato paste (diluted)
- Instead of Cornstarch: Arrowroot powder
- Instead of Ground Pork: Ground turkey, Ground chicken, Lean ground beef
Equipment Needed
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper (optional)
- Chef's Knife
- Cutting Board
- Mixing Bowl
- Small Bowl
- Skillet
- Tongs
- Measuring Spoons
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Baking the wonton strips until golden and crisp
- Browning the ground pork to develop flavor
- Thickening the sauce with cornstarch for a glossy glaze
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use a sharp knife for the cabbage; thin slices stay sweet and crunchy.
- If you prefer extra heat, increase cayenne to ¼ tsp or add a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
- For extra umami, add a splash of fish sauce or a teaspoon of hoisin sauce to the sauce mixture.
Troubleshooting
Wonton strips are soggy instead of crisp.
Make sure the strips are evenly coated with oil and spread in a single layer. Increase oven temperature to 375°F and bake an extra 2‑3 minutes, flipping halfway.
Vegetables become mushy.
Stir‑fry the vegetables only 1–2 minutes over high heat. Remove from heat as soon as they start to soften.
Sauce is too thin.
Mix an additional ½ tsp cornstarch with a splash of cold water, then stir into the skillet and cook a minute longer to thicken.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store the meat‑vegetable mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep baked wonton strips separate; they stay crisp for about 1 day.
Freezer: Freeze the cooked meat‑vegetable mixture (without wonton strips) in a freezer‑safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat and add fresh wonton strips before serving.
Room temperature: Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours; the dish contains cooked pork.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Shred the cabbage and julienne the carrots up to 24 hours ahead; store in a sealed container with a damp paper towel.
- Prepare the sauce and keep refrigerated; give it a quick whisk before using.
- Bake the wonton strips just before serving to retain maximum crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Egg Roll in a Bowl in American Chinese cuisine?
Egg Roll in a Bowl is a modern, de‑constructed take on the classic Chinese egg roll, created to offer the same flavors without the time‑consuming rolling and deep‑frying. It reflects the American Chinese tradition of adapting street‑food concepts for quick home cooking while keeping the crunchy texture and savory filling.
What are the traditional regional variations of Egg Roll in a Bowl within Chinese‑American cuisine?
While the basic concept stays the same, some cooks use ground chicken or turkey instead of pork, add mushrooms or bean sprouts, and swap soy sauce for tamari for a gluten‑free version. In the West Coast, you’ll often find a splash of lime juice for brightness.
How is Egg Roll in a Bowl traditionally served in Chinese‑American restaurants?
Restaurants typically serve it in a shallow bowl or plate, topped with crispy fried wonton strips or crushed egg roll wrappers, and garnished with sliced green onions. It is often accompanied by a side of hot sauce or chili oil for extra heat.
What occasions or celebrations is Egg Roll in a Bowl traditionally associated with in Chinese‑American culture?
The dish is popular for casual weeknight meals, pot‑lucks, and family gatherings because it can be prepared quickly and scales easily. It’s also a favorite for game‑day snacks where the crunchy topping adds excitement.
How does Egg Roll in a Bowl fit into the broader American Chinese cuisine tradition?
It exemplifies the American Chinese focus on convenience and bold flavors, turning a deep‑fried street food into a bowl‑friendly, less‑messy version while preserving the essential sweet‑savory profile that defines the cuisine.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Egg Roll in a Bowl versus acceptable substitutes?
Traditional ingredients include ground pork, savoy or green cabbage, carrot, red bell pepper, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and crispy wonton strips. Acceptable substitutes are ground turkey or chicken, Napa cabbage, daikon radish, tamari for soy sauce, and crushed pork rinds for a gluten‑free crunch.
What other American Chinese dishes pair well with Egg Roll in a Bowl?
Egg Roll in a Bowl pairs nicely with steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, or a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar. For a fuller meal, serve alongside hot and sour soup or a side of lo mein.
What makes Egg Roll in a Bowl special or unique in American Chinese cuisine?
Its uniqueness lies in delivering the classic egg‑roll flavor and crunch without the labor‑intensive rolling and deep‑frying steps. The baked wonton strips provide the same satisfying texture while keeping the dish lighter and quicker to prepare.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Egg Roll in a Bowl?
Common mistakes include over‑cooking the vegetables, which removes the essential crunch, and under‑browning the pork, which reduces flavor. Also, failing to bake the wonton strips long enough results in soggy topping.
How do I know when the Egg Roll in a Bowl is done cooking?
The dish is ready when the pork is browned and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F, the vegetables are just tender‑crisp, and the sauce has thickened to a glossy coating that clings to the ingredients. The baked wonton strips should be golden and crisp before serving.
Can I make Egg Roll in a Bowl ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes. Prepare the meat‑vegetable mixture and sauce up to 24 hours ahead; keep them separate from the baked wonton strips. Store both in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Reheat the mixture gently and add fresh crispy strips just before serving.
What does the YouTube channel Food Wishes specialize in?
The YouTube channel Food Wishes, hosted by Chef John, specializes in approachable, humor‑filled cooking tutorials that break down classic and contemporary dishes into easy‑to‑follow steps for home cooks of all skill levels.
How does the YouTube channel Food Wishes' approach to Chinese cooking differ from other Chinese cooking channels?
Food Wishes focuses on practical shortcuts—like baking instead of deep‑frying—and clear, step‑by‑step narration, whereas many Chinese cooking channels emphasize traditional techniques and detailed cultural context. Chef John’s style blends humor with precise measurements, making the recipes feel both fun and reliable.
Last updated: September 1, 2026
