When I was about 10 years old growing up in Vancouver, my mum would drive my best friend and me down to Granville Island each week. Granville Island is not technically an island (though some may argue this point), but it sounds quainter, so we will let that slide.
This enclave of Vancouver is tucked away under the Granville Street Bridge. Sounds seedy, but it is far from that. Rather, it is home to one of the most prolific public markets in North America. The market itself houses the wares of many produce and cottage-industry vendors and you can find everything from the freshest seasonal fruit to fresh pasta and cheeses. Outside the doors of the market, lying along False Creek, are multiple artist studios, independent shops, restaurants, and a theater company.
While all of these things are certainly enough of a draw, we actually had a different destination on our weekly jaunts. Granville Island is also home to Arts Umbrella, a large non-profit school for visual and performing arts for children. It is truly an inspiring place, with classes ranging from dance and painting to theater and pottery.
After our weekly class, my mum would take my friend and me to the market, where we would split a spring roll, stuffed with shrimp, rice noodles, and vegetables. Dipped in a thick peanut sauce, this roll stands out in my mind far more than the creations I made in class (there is a reason I write a food blog, not an arts and craft blog).
This recipe is inspired by my memory of those days and by some fantastic sweet potato vermicelli that I was introduced to by a Korean friend.
Flank steak marinade:
In a 9- by 13-inch glass baking dish, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, canola oil and rice wine. Add sliced garlic and grated fresh ginger to the soy sauce mixture. Whisk well.
Add the flank steak to the marinade and turn to coat the steak. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
How to grill the flank steak:
Preheat grill to medium-high heat and lightly brush the grill with oil.
Place the flank steak on the barbecue and cook it for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until the flank steak is almost medium-rare. Remember, the internal temperature of the flank steak will rise an additional 5-10 degrees F after you remove it from the grill. Even if you are someone who typically likes your meat medium to well-done, I urge you to try it with a little more red in the center. It makes the difference between a steak that is somewhat satisfying and one that is juicy and flavorful.
Remove steak from grill. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes so that the juices can be absorbed back into the steak. If you cut into the steak before it rests, the juices will run onto the cutting board. More juices on your cutting board equals less juices in the steak. Thinly slice the flank across the grain and serve. Cut each slice into thin bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the sweet potato noodles:
Use a 10-ounce package of sweet potato vermicelli, which can be found at most Asian markets. If you prefer, you can use the clear/white rice noodles, which you can find at either Asian markets or a most regular supermarkets.
Bring a big pot of water to a boil over high heat and add the noodles. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until they are tender. Drain and rinse under cold water. Place the cooled noodles in a large bowl and mix in about 1 tbsp of sesame oil and 1/4 cup soya sauce. Make sure you taste it to decide if you want more of the oil or soya sauce. Using kitchen shears, roughly cut up the noodles in the bowl so they are not hard to deal with when putting them into the wraps.
Cut a red bell pepper into thin slices, then cut the slices in half crosswise. Cut a couple of carrots into matchsticks (see How to Julienne Carrots). Thinly slice about 8 large fresh mint leaves. Add the steak, vegetables, and mint to the noodle mixture and toss well.
Fill a container or bowl with hot water. Dip one spring roll wrapper into the water until it is soft, about 15-20 seconds.
Lay the softened wrapper on a cutting board and fill with about 1/3 cup of the noodle mixture. Fold in the sides. Fold up the bottom flap and roll.
Cover the completed rolls with a damp dish towel so that they don’t try out while you work.
We like to dip ours into gyoza (potsticker) dipping sauce, or some other similar Asian sauce. If you have a favorite Vietnamese dipping sauce, feel free to use that. Just make as many spring rolls as you need for you meal and eat the leftovers the next day. The noodles keep well, though may need a touch of soy sauce added to moisten them.
Other spring roll recipes:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Vegan Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
Rasa Malaysia’s Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls with Hoisin Peanut Dipping Sauce
White on Rice Couple’s Vegetable/Herb Spring Rolls
Flank Steak, Sweet Potato Noodle & Vegetable Spring Rolls
Steak:
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
3 tbsp canola oil
3 tbsp rice wine
3 cloves garlic, sliced
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 (1 1/4 lb.) flank steak
Noodles & Rolls:
1 (10 oz.) package sweet potato vermicelli (can also use rice noodle vermicelli)
1 tbsp sesame oil, or to taste
1/4 cup soy sauce, or to taste
1 red bell pepper, cored & seeded, cut into thin slices and halved
2 medium carrots, cut into matchsticks
8 large mint leaves, thinly sliced
Steak:
In a 9- by 13-inch glass baking dish, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, canola oil, and rice wine. Add garlic and ginger to the soy sauce mixture. Whisk well. Add flank steak to the marinade and turn to coat the steak. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
Place the flank steak on the barbecue and cook it for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until the flank steak is almost medium-rare. Remember, the internal temperature of the flank steak will rise an additional 5-10 degrees F after you remove it from the grill. Even if you are someone who typically likes your meat medium to well-done, I urge you to try it with a little more red in the center. It makes the difference between a steak that is somewhat satisfying and one that is juicy and flavorful
Remove steak from grill. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes so that the juices can be absorbed back into the steak. If you cut into the steak before it rests, the juices will run onto your cutting board. More juices on your cutting board equals less juices in the steak. Thinly slice the flank across the grain and serve. Cut each slice into thin bite-sized pieces.
Noodles & Wraps:
Bring a big pot of water to a boil over high heat and add the noodles. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until they are tender. Drain and rinse under cold water. Place the cooled noodles in a large bowl and mix in about 1 tbsp of sesame oil and 1/4 cup soya sauce. Make sure you taste it to decide if you want more of the oil or soya sauce. Using kitchen shears, roughly cut up the noodles in the bowl so they are not hard to deal with when putting them into the wraps.
Add the steak, vegetables, and mint to the noodle mixture and toss well.
Fill a container or bowl with hot water. Dip one spring roll wrapper into the water until it is soft, about 15-20 seconds.
Lay the softened wrapper on a cutting board and fill with about 1/3 cup of the noodle mixture. Fold in the sides. Fold up the bottom flap and roll.
Cover the completed rolls with a damp dish towel so that they don’t try out while you work.
We like to dip ours into gyoza (potsticker) dipping sauce, or some other similar Asian sauce. If you have a favorite Vietnamese dipping sauce, feel free to use that. Just make as many spring rolls as you need for you meal and eat the leftovers the next day. The noodles keep well, though may need a touch of soy sauce added to moisten them.
Makes about 30 rolls.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
My Kitchen in the Rockies
Your flank steak looks perfect! I love the marinade. What a great dish. Thanks for sharing.
bellini valli
My daughter took me down to Granville Island a few weekends ago when I was visiting, can your believe it was my first time. It really is a charming place:D
Tia
I like this post – fresh, lots of variety, etc. I also have a deep fried roll and a fresh spring roll recipe.
Homescratchcanam
It makes me homesick for Granville Island 🙂
marla {family fresh cooking}
That delicate spring roll wrapper is beautiful. Paired with the flank steak & sweet potato vermicelli (never heard of that)…..sounds like the perfect, well balanced meal.
I have been to Granville Island & I love it. Your descriptions bring back great memories!
Elizabeth
Whenever I go to Vancouver, I spend half of my time on Granville Island. There is just no better place! A food lover's paradise!
These look delicious and a great take on spring rolls. We just had some the other night (is it just me or do they take forever to make? So many steps! Maybe it's the two kids I have to contend with during the rolling and soaking part..haha) but these look like something I shall have to try very soon! Thanks Dara, I always need more flank steak recipes!
pegasuslegend
the flank steak & sweet potato vermicelli are an amazing duo great recipe ~
lishapisa
hello, this is a great recipe, for hots days like today ( 90s) and as a side dish!
We like to make summer rolls to our picnics, it 's just the perfect finger food. This is a recipe i have not tried and can't wait to make it, the girls will love them. 🙂
Isn't great how food stirs back great memories.
Thank you,
Lisa
CookNg Sisters
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates)
those look amazing! I've never heard of sweet potato noodles but I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open now, those sound delicious! I can dream up all sorts of fun dishes with them!
Cajun Chef Ryan
Hey Dara, now this is one heck of a perfect spring roll! The flank steak is perfectly cooked, and the vegetables look crunchy too!
Bon appetit!
=:~)
Emily Malloy (Ziegler)
How gorgeous!
Belinda @zomppa
Great way to add some meat into those delicate rolls.
Jason Phelps
Definitely got my attention! Nobody will be serving these at the backyard party we are going to today. So I'll still be hungry…
Jason
Mother Rimmy
Sounds like happy memories! Your pictures are wonderful, as usual. This will be a terrific way to use leftover flank steak.
Kerstin
Wow, these really look fabulous and I l love all the layers of flavor!
Maria
So fresh and delicious. I love spring rolls. And thanks for the link love:)
Jenny
Looks Great Dara, my kind of dinner for sure!!
Fuji Mama
It's hard to beat a dinner of yummy spring rolls and these look amazing! I LOVE the market on Granville! I hadn't thought about it in a while, and now I want to go! Food blogger road trip? 🙂
thangfish2003
It's delicious, similar Hanoi noodle rolled
Angie
This looks really delicious! I love flank steak, I just started using it.
Tasty Eats At Home
Love this! I also like that you used sweet potato noodles – they're so deliciously springy!
foodwanderings
Dara, thank you, if it weren't for you I would have never known about sweet potato noodles. when you mentioned them on twitter I imagined more Italian pasta dough type incorporated with sweet potatoes not Asian rice noodle vermicelli type. Love your site and didn't realize you got quite a few Asian recipes here.