In China and Overseas
Chinese spring rolls are generally smaller in China. A 20-cm dim sum dish can hold more than ten.
Spring rolls served in Chinese restaurants in America reportedly usually have meat fillings, and can be as big as hamburgers. UK Chinese takeaway spring rolls are about an inch wide and 3 inches long (3 x 8 cm).
History and Origin
According to records, before the Tang Dynasty (618–907), everyone made a kind of thin pancake with flour on the day of 'the Beginning of Spring'. People put them in a dish and added special vegetables and fruits. This was called the 'spring dish' (春盘). It was sent to relatives and friends as a spring present and blessing.
In the Tang Dynasty, the 'spring dish' was generally decorated with carrots and celery by the poor, while it had various additions in rich families. There were sauces, baked and salted meats, various fried dishes, spinach, chives, beansprouts, bean vermicelli, and eggs. In the Song Dynasty, the 'spring dish' served in the imperial palace was even more luxurious.
In the Ming and Qing dynasties (1367–1911), with the development of cookery skills, cooks rolled the traditional pancakes into mignon spring rolls. They were not only well-liked by common folk, but were also famous in the palace. During the Qing Dynasty, when the grand banquet — the Manchu Han Imperial Feast (满汉全席) with 128 dishes — was held, spring rolls were served as one of its nine main pastries.
Now, spring rolls have many delicious varieties. They are better than ever before.