Egg rolls are a classic Chinese-American dish, known for their deep-fried crispy outsides and savory filling. They’re normally stuffed with a combination of finely chopped vegetables like cabbage and carrots, and bits of meat like pork or shrimp. A classic finger food.
If you’re wondering what to serve with egg rolls, you’re in the right place. In this article, I list 20 of the most popular side dishes for egg rolls.
The best side dishes for egg rolls include chow mein, crab rangoon, and General Tso’s chicken. You can also serve dishes such as egg drop soup, guacamole, and loaded potato skins with egg rolls. For a healthy accompaniment to egg rolls, try serving them with a cucumber salad.
Related: How To Reheat Egg Rolls
Takeout copycats
Turn your egg roll meal into an oriental feast with these homemade fake-out dishes!
I always have my egg rolls with fried rice, but a bowl of spicy noodles sounds superb too. And if you want more protein, you can never go wrong with a saucy sweet and sour chicken to ‘beef‘ up your meal.
Supreme soy sauce fried rice
This recipe will blow your favorite takeout fried rice out of the water.
The game-changer is the “supreme soy sauce” made with a blend of sugar, fish sauce, shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, dark, and light soy sauce. It sounds simple, but it infuses your plain old rice with a deep, addictive umami flavor.
The Woks of Life recommends cooking the soy sauce mixture first before adding it to your rice. Aside from the flavorful ingredients, this extra steps give the sauce its moreish flavor profile.
Pro-tip: store excess supreme soy sauce and use it to easily jazz up other dishes.
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Supreme soy sauce fried rice
Back to basics
Egg fried rice
Make it low-carb
Cauliflower fried rice
Egg drop soup
Egg drop soup is one of the classic dishes you’ll see offered with egg rolls in Chinese restaurant menus.
I used to think it was the most boring soup, until I got to taste it. I couldn’t have been more wrong — it was warm, comforting, and delicious.
Plus, it’s one of the easiest takeout dishes you can replicate at home. The recipe I used from Eazy Peazy Mealz takes less than 20 minutes to make and only requires simple ingredients like eggs, chicken broth, cornstarch, sesame oil, pepper and scallions.
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Egg drop soup
Another takeout classic
Hot and sour soup
Make it fusion
Spicy miso ramen
General Tso’s chicken
General Tso’s Chicken is the perfect blend of sweet, sour, and umami deliciousness.
You can serve it as a main after some egg roll appetizers, or you can turn the chicken bites into a party snack by sticking one or two onto some cocktail sticks.
The secret to getting that perfect crunch on the chicken bites? A combination of soda water and rice flour! This doesn’t only work for General Tso Chicken, but also for any dish that uses a batter.
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General Tso’s chicken
Make it sticky
Honey chicken
Fire up the grill
Char siu grilled chicken
Crab Rangoon
Crab rangoon is an indulgent mix of crab and cream cheese wrapped in a crispy wonton wrapper. They’re bite-sized American-Chinese treats that pair perfectly with egg rolls.
Kelly offers different methods of cooking crab rangoon, but I’ll always go back to the fried version. It’s not the healthiest method, but it’s the one that produces perfectly golden and crunchy crab rangoons.
With these babies all fried up, you only need a dipping sauce to complete the platter. My pick? A classic sweet and sour sauce!
Tip: why not go all out and serve some gyoza or pot stickers as well?
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Crab rangoon
Make a favorite
Homemade vegetable potstickers
Skip the fryer
Cantonese siu mai
Salt and pepper pork chops
Want more crunch with your golden egg rolls? Pair them with these salt and pepper pork chops.
It might sound plain, but Omnivore Cookbook uses garlic and jalapeno-infused oil to fry the cornstarch-coated chops. This infuses the chops with a garlicky, mildly spicy twist that’ll send your taste buds into a frenzy.
Plus, the crispy garlic and jalapeno slices are an excellent topping for more crunch. Win-win!
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Salt and pepper pork chops
Preheat the oven
Sweet Chinese ribs
An authentic Chinese dish
Moo shu pork
Air fryer orange tofu
As much as I love the chicken version, this orange tofu dish is my go-to for busy weeknights.
Air frying tofu is way easier than frying them, plus they get super golden and crispy without the extra calories. And the sauce comes together in less than 10 minutes!
Jessica in the Kitchen recommends freshly-squeezed orange juice for best results but I usually use store-bought because it’s less messy.
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Air fryer orange tofu
Fire up the oven
Baked sesame tofu
Skip the tofu
Sweet and sour cauliflower bites
Chow mein
Name a better combination than chicken chow mein and egg rolls? I’ll wait.
But you don’t need to have this takeout classic delivered. You can whip up a batch in under 25 minutes with the help of your trusty air fryer. The key here is to use fresh egg noodles (you can find it in your grocery store’s frozen goods section).
Pssst… no air fryer? You can also make this over your stovetop, but it’ll take you an extra 10 minutes.
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Chicken chow mein
Add heat
Dandan noodles
Make it quick
10-minute garlic chili oil noodles
Kung pao shrimp
Kung pao shrimp is a fiery dish that will bring some heat to your dining table with its sizzling blend of shrimp, crunchy peanuts, and bell peppers, all doused in a spicy, sticky sauce.
Pair it with a side of jasmine rice or quinoa and your egg rolls for a Sichuan inspired dinner.
Psst… you can also make a non-spicy version! And swap the shrimp for chicken or pork.
Why we love this recipe: it’s got 5 stars.
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Kung pao shrimp
Lighten it up
Shrimp stir-fry with mixed vegetables
Add more heat
Sichuan mala chicken
Vegetables and salads
Make your egg rolls healthier with a tasty veggie side or a simple salad.
You can never go wrong with a classic vegetable stir-fry, but why not try a Chinese cabbage stir-fry if you want a more authentic option? And when it comes to salads, a crisp cucumber salad can help cut through the greasiness of your crispy fried egg rolls.
Soba noodle salad
If you think a classic chow mein is too heavy, try this soba noodle salad instead.
Sure, it’s still got carb-loaded noodles, but it’s also packed with fresh, crunchy veggies to lighten things up. Pop an egg roll on top of a noodle salad and you have a healthy, filling meal with a tasty treat on top.
Just remember to save a bite of the egg roll until the end so you can wipe up all the leftover salad dressing. Heaven in one bite.
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Soba noodle salad
Make a classic
Vietnamese noodle salad
Make it low-carb
Pad thai salad
Blistered green beans
I love roasted green beans, but this blistered version is on another level.
They’re charred and burnt in some spots, but they’re still delightfully moist and crisp-tender. The key lies in pre-cooking the green beans in the microwave – this step ensures they’re cooked just right, so they only need a few minutes on the pan to blister.
Enjoy these blistered green beans with your egg rolls and fried rice for a satisfying nourishing meal.
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Blistered green beans
Add umami
Green beans and mushroom stir-fry
Make it effortless
Roasted sesame green beans
Asian Slaw
This Asian slaw is packed with fresh, lively flavors that will wake up your egg rolls. It’s easy to customize, naturally vegan, and a total showstopper.
I’ve been a mayo girl when it comes to slaws, but I can’t deny that Tracy’s sesame ginger dressing works wonders with this recipe. The soy sauce and sesame oil base gives the slaw a nutty umami lift, while the fresh ginger gives it just enough bite.
But whatever dressing you go for, your slaw is sure to be a popular side. So make enough, you don’t want any disappointed guests!
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Asian slaw
Skip the cabbage
Carrot sesame salad
Add starch
Sesame quinoa slaw
Cucumber salad
Cucumber salad might sound boring but aren’t the simplest things in life the best?
The combination of the crisp, refreshing cucumber ribbons and red pepper flakes with the sesame ginger dressing is the perfect palate cleanser in between bites of crispy, greasy egg rolls. Plus, this salad is a breeze to make. There’s no cooking involved, just a bit of prep work.
You can get this done in just five minutes, but I like to make it in an hour or two advance to let the cucumbers soak up the flavors from the dressing. Yum.
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Thai cucumber salad
Add heat
Spicy Asian cucumber salad
Make it different
Sweet and sour cucumber noodles
Bok choy
Bok choy has to be up there with one of my favorite vegetables. It’s clean, fresh, crunchy, and extremely versatile.
You can get away with serving steamed bok choy with your crispy egg rolls. But I prefer this version from Diethood, takes it a step further by tossing the cooked bok choy in a warm garlic soy dressing.
There’s nothing fancy about this sauce, but it really makes a world of a difference.
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Baby bok choy with warm garlic soy dressing
Keep it simple
Steamed garlic bok choy
Keep it fresh
Bok choy salad
Cold spicy peanut noodles
Cold spicy peanut noodles are the ultimate blend of comfort and discomfort. A big bowl of peanutty noodles is very inviting, but the spice keeps you on your toes.
Ans since it’s such a blank canvas, you have loads of customization options. You can add some veggies, some grilled chicken, or tofu to make it a heartier meal. Or just pop your eggs rolls on top.
Pro tip: you can also have it warm, but I like the way the cold temperature contrasts with the heat
Why we love this recipe: it’s a make-ahead marvel that tastes even better the day after.
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Cold spicy peanut noodles
Lighten it up
Cucumber noodle and peanut salad
Heat it up
Spicy Thai noodles
Snacks and dips
Egg rolls aren’t just for dinner – they’re great as a party snack too (especially on game day).
Serve them with a sweet chili sauce alongside coconut shrimp. Or add a delicious Mexican twist with a creamy guacamole dip. And why not add indulgence with some crispy, gooey mozzarella sticks?
Guacamole
Egg rolls can be pretty heavy, so I like to serve a light and refreshing guacamole alongside them for a tasty fusion. After all, you can never go wrong with a side of fresh guac.
The basic recipe is simply a combination of avocados, tomatoes, lime, onions and cilantro, giving you a burst of light, zesty goodness in every bite.
But if you think this traditional version is boring, you can easily switch it up. I like tossing in freshly chopped jalapenos for a spicy kick. Or you can try adding diced mangoes for a sweet, fruity finish.
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Guacamole
Jazz it up
Jalapeno popper guacamole
Make it zesty
Avocado ranch dressing
Nachos
Nachos are a universally loved party food. Whether you serve them alongside your egg rolls or as an appetizer beforehand, no one’s going to be disappointed.
Chungah from Damn Delicious goes the extra mile and tops their nachos with beef carne asada, as inspired by classic Mexican street tacos. It’s a bit of extra work, but it’s totally worth it!
Every bite I got was oh-so-meaty and satisfying.
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Carne asada nachos
Make it keto-friendly
Cheesy bell pepper nachos
Make it bite-sized
Tortilla nacho cups
Loaded potato skins
Loaded potato skins are simple to make and kid-friendly. Plus, you can prepare them ahead of time and then crisp them up just before serving if you’re short on time.
There are loads of different toppings to pick from, and they’re an easy finger food just like egg rolls. I prefer sticking to the classics with Candid Variety’s classic bacon, cheese, and chives trio.
Or you you can try these Asian loaded potato skins which uses hoisin sauce as a fun, tasty twist!
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Loaded potato skins
Make it easy
Baked mini potatoes
A classic
Baked potato wedges
Tempura
Shrimp tempura is a crowd-pleaser (just like egg rolls). There’s just something irresistible about the combination of crunchy panko breadcrumbs and soft shrimp.
But if you want to serve something more healthy with your egg rolls, you can skip the shrimp and make veggie tempura instead. I like using mushrooms, green beans, and fresh kale leaves, but you can use any veg that can hold its shape when fried.
And don’t forget the dipping sauce! Chefjar serves her shrimp tempura with a homemade yum yum sauce. But you can also try a traditional ponzu sauce or even your egg rolls’ sweet and sour sauce.
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Shrimp tempura
Fire up the oven
Coconut shrimp
Make it different
Firecracker shrimp
Sushi rolls
Sushi rolls are another finger food you can serve alongside egg rolls. There’s a slight learning curve to making them at first, but they’re a breeze once you have the technique down.
And the best part? Making your own sushi rolls give you the freedom of customization. Ali keeps it classic with smoked salmon, cucumber, and avocado filling. But you can easily swap these ingredients out with crab sticks, shrimp, carrots, cabbage, and even mangoes.
The world is your oyster when it comes to sushi rolls.
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Sushi rolls
Make it beginner-friendly
Spicy tuna hand rolls
Make it fresh
Cucumber sushi rolls
Edamame
Edamame are little green pods of heaven. I can’t get enough of them, and even my veggie hating child eats them! I simple boil them and sprinkle with sea salt. But you can also roast them in soy sauce.
They’re the perfect way to start a meal or to nibble on as an after-dinner snack. And they won’t make you feel heavy like the egg rolls, so they go well together.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a straightforward, nutritious side.
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Edamame with sea salt
Spice it up
Chili lime edamame
Mix it up
Soy roasted edamame
What To Serve With Egg Rolls [20 Side Dishes]
Ingredients
- 1 portion Supreme soy sauce fried rice
- 1 portion egg drop soup
- 1 portion Asian slaw
- 1 portion cucumber salad
- 1 portion sushi rolls
- 1 portion nachos … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your egg rolls according to your chosen recipe.
- Choose the side dish to best suit your preferences.
Healthy Side Dishes
- Serve your egg rolls alongside bok choy, guacamole, asian slaw, or cucumber salad.
Mains
- Serve your egg rolls with chow mein, egg fried rice, egg drop soup, hot and sour soup, wonton soup, General Tso’s chicken, or nachos.
Party Foods
- Serve your egg rolls with crab rangoon, loaded potato skins, sushi, or tempura.