National Egg Roll Day
June 10
About National Egg Roll Day
National Egg Roll Day is observed every year on 10 June and celebrates the crispy, deep-fried appetiser that has become a fixture of Chinese-American takeaway menus. In 2026 it falls on Wednesday, 10 June. The day was founded in 2019 by Van’s Kitchen, a family-run Texas business, and is recognised by the National Day Calendar. It is a light-hearted food holiday that honours both the dish itself and the immigrant families who helped popularise it across the United States.
How to Celebrate National Egg Roll Day
This is a food day built for sharing, so the easiest way to take part is to get some egg rolls in front of you. Here are eight ways to mark the occasion:
- Order a fresh batch from your favourite local Chinese restaurant or takeaway and rate their version.
- Try making egg rolls at home, wrapping a mix of cabbage, carrot, pork or prawn in thin pastry and deep-frying until golden.
- Host a tasting session and sample egg rolls from several different restaurants side by side.
- Experiment with a vegetarian or vegan filling using tofu, mushrooms and shredded vegetables.
- Pair your egg rolls with a selection of dipping sauces, from sweet chilli and plum to soy and hot mustard.
- Share photos of your egg rolls on social media using the day’s hashtags.
- Learn the difference between an egg roll, a spring roll and a summer roll, then put your knowledge to the test.
- Support a family-run restaurant by ordering in and leaving a kind review.
What is National Egg Roll Day?
National Egg Roll Day is an annual celebration of the egg roll, the thick, crunchy, deep-fried savoury roll commonly served as a starter in Chinese-American restaurants. It was created in 2019 by Van’s Kitchen, a Dallas-based company founded by Vietnamese immigrants Van and Kim Nguyen in June 1986. The date of 10 June was chosen to align with the month the business was established, and the day was officially registered with the National Day Calendar. While it began as a brand-led celebration, it has grown into a wider appreciation of the dish and the food culture surrounding it.
When is National Egg Roll Day?
National Egg Roll Day takes place on 10 June every year. In 2026 the date is Wednesday, 10 June. Because it is a fixed-date observance, it will always fall on 10 June regardless of the day of the week.
The History of National Egg Roll Day
The holiday itself is relatively new, founded in 2019, but the food it celebrates has a far longer story. The modern American egg roll was most likely invented at a Chinese restaurant in New York City in the early 1930s. Two chefs have historically been linked to its creation: Henry Low, whose recipe appeared in the 1938 cookbook Cook at Home in Chinese, and Lum Fong, who some accounts credit with making the dish as early as the mid-1920s.
Interestingly, Low’s early recipe contained bamboo shoots, roast pork, prawns, spring onions and water chestnuts, but no cabbage, which is the dominant filling in egg rolls today. The egg roll grew out of the Chinese-American restaurant tradition, served in busy chop suey houses that fed hungry workers, and it was later embraced by Vietnamese and other immigrant families building new lives in America. The name remains something of a mystery, since cabbage rather than egg is the defining flavour. Van’s Kitchen created the official day to honour this heritage and the families behind it.
Fun Facts About National Egg Roll Day
- The egg roll is distinct from the Chinese spring roll, which uses a thinner, lighter wrapper.
- Despite the name, most egg rolls contain little or no egg, with cabbage being the main filling.
- The founder, Van’s Kitchen, was established by Vietnamese immigrants in 1986.
- The egg roll is widely believed to have been invented in New York rather than in China.
- Two different chefs both claimed credit for inventing the modern egg roll.
- The dish became a staple of American Chinese cuisine through chop suey restaurants in the early twentieth century.
Why National Egg Roll Day Matters
National Egg Roll Day is more than an excuse to enjoy a tasty snack. It recognises the contribution of immigrant families to American food culture and the small, family-run businesses that have introduced generations to dishes from across Asia. Days like this celebrate culinary fusion, the blending of traditions that happens when communities settle in new places. It is also a gentle reminder to support independent restaurants and to appreciate the craft involved in a dish that is often taken for granted. If you enjoy food-themed days, you might also like National Hand Roll Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Egg Roll Day in 2026?
National Egg Roll Day is on Wednesday, 10 June 2026.
Who created National Egg Roll Day?
It was founded in 2019 by Van’s Kitchen, a Texas-based business started by Vietnamese immigrants, and is recognised by the National Day Calendar.
What is the difference between an egg roll and a spring roll?
An egg roll has a thicker, crunchier deep-fried wrapper, while a spring roll uses a thinner, more delicate wrapper and is often lighter in texture.
Spread the Word
Help others discover this delicious food day by sharing it online. Use the hashtags #NationalEggRollDay and #EggRollDay when you post your photos and recommendations on 10 June 2026.
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