Article updated on December 28, 2024
Text & photographs: Claire Lessiau & Marcella van Alphen
Battambang, Cambodia’s second-largest city with a thriving agriculture, is an authentic destination that is ideal to dig into the traditional crafts of the country. Join us as we take you through a series of seven short articles, each uncovering the secrets of one of these crafts.
Rice paper is a key ingredient in the popular spring rolls, offering a delicate, edible wrapper for the tasty fillings inside. While most rice paper production is now industrialized to meet the high demand, a few families in Battambang still preserve the traditional craft of hand-making these thin, translucent sheets.
The process begins with soaking rice overnight, allowing the grains to soften. The following morning, the rice is ground into a fine paste, then hung in a cloth to drain excess water. Once the rice has dried, it is mixed with salt water to help preserve the rice paper for up to three months.
This crepe-like dough is then spread out in a thin layer shaped into discs and steamed. After steaming, the rice paper is laid out on bamboo frames to dry in the sun for about two hours. By the end of the workday, a family typically produces up to 1,500 rice papers, ready to be used in a variety of dishes.
Visiting the rice paper producers in Battambang also offers the opportunity to taste freshly made spring rolls right on the spot. Whether fried or raw, there’s nothing quite like enjoying these delicate rolls made from rice paper that is as fresh as it gets—a true treat!
Travel tips:
- To make the most of your visit, we strongly recommend you to take a local guide as most craft-people do not speak English and are actually working hard to make a living, so they should not be disturbed. The local guide knows the usage and will tip appropriately.
- Check out this interactive map for the specific details to help you plan your trip and more articles and photos (zoom out) about the area!
For more inspiration about Cambodia, click on these pins:
Best regards from far, 
Incredible isn’t it!
For us the most important part of the spring roll is the rice paper that wraps the ingredients! Too thick and it will be hard to chew. Too thin it might break up easily. A fine balancing act!
Thanks Me & Suan, good point indeed! The resistance also matters when you try to roll them 🙂