Where to Buy Rice Paper in the UK - Stores, Online & What to Look For

If you have ever stood in a supermarket aisle searching for rice paper and come away empty-handed, you are not alone. Rice paper - the translucent, round sheets used to make Vietnamese spring rolls, fresh summer rolls, and a growing number of Asian-inspired dishes - has become one of the most searched-for Asian grocery items in the UK. Yet despite its rising popularity, it remains one of those ingredients that is genuinely easy to find if you know where to look, and frustratingly hard to track down if you do not.

This guide covers exactly where to buy rice paper in the UK, what to look for when you get there, and how to choose the right type for what you are cooking.

What Is Rice Paper, and Why Does It Matter Which Type You Buy?

Before heading to the shops, it is worth being clear on what you are actually looking for - because "rice paper" means different things in different contexts, and buying the wrong product is a more common mistake than you might expect.

Chinese Rice Paper vs. Vietnamese Rice Paper

Another common point of confusion involves regional terminology. In Chinese cooking, certain thin wrappers or dried rice sheets are sometimes referred to as rice paper, and they behave differently in recipes. Vietnamese rice paper (bánh tráng) is the round, semi-transparent variety most commonly used for spring rolls and summer rolls. If a recipe calls for rice paper rolls, it almost certainly means the Vietnamese kind.

Where to Buy Rice Paper in the UK

The short answer is: your best options are Asian grocery stores and specialist food retailers, either in person or online. Major supermarkets carry rice paper, but with significant limitations on variety and size.

Asian Grocery Stores and Specialist Retailers

This is where you will find the widest selection of rice paper in the UK - different diameters, different thicknesses, and specialty varieties such as sweet potato rice paper, brown rice rice paper, and extra-thin wrappers designed for delicate fresh rolls.

Specialist Asian food retailers like Longdan stock a comprehensive range that includes standard 22cm spring roll wrappers, larger 28cm sheets for bigger rolls, extra-thin varieties for fresh summer rolls where translucency matters, and less common options like brown rice paper and sweet potato rice paper that you are very unlikely to find in a supermarket.

Other Asian supermarket chains worth knowing across the UK include Wing Yip, which has multiple sites across England; See Woo, with branches in London and Glasgow; and New Loon Moon in London's Chinatown. These stores consistently stock rice paper across multiple brands and sizes, and staff are generally knowledgeable about which type suits which dish.

Major UK Supermarkets

Rice paper is stocked in some UK supermarkets, but with caveats.

Tesco is probably your best bet among the mainstream chains. A small selection of rice paper wrappers - usually from mainstream brands - can be found in the World Foods aisle, though availability varies considerably between stores. Searching "rice paper sheets Tesco" will sometimes return results online that are not available in every branch, so checking stock before making a trip is advisable.

Longdan is perfect for fresh summer rolls, crispy spring rolls and a variety of homemade appetisers Their rice paper is easy to use and ideal for everyday cooking. Pair it with rice vermicelli, dipping sauces, fresh herbs and your favourite fillings to create delicious meals for family and friends.

 

Waitrose and Ocado occasionally carry popular brands and tend to serve the same customer base interested in home cooking with global ingredients. Their ranges are limited to one or two products, but stock is generally more reliable than ASDA or Sainsbury's.

ASDA and Sainsbury's carry rice paper in selected stores, but it is far from guaranteed. The World Foods section is your most likely starting point, and availability is inconsistent enough that it is not worth a dedicated trip.

The honest reality is that supermarkets are a convenient last resort, not a first choice. If you care about size, thickness, or variety - which you should for different dishes - you will get far more options and better value from a specialist retailer.

Where to Buy Rice Paper Online

Online shopping has made rice paper significantly easier to access for people who do not live near an Asian grocery store, which is most of the UK outside major cities.

Amazon UK has a broad selection of rice paper from various brands, with the advantage of fast delivery. Prices tend to be slightly higher than specialist stores, and reading reviews carefully is worthwhile since quality varies between sellers.

Asian food specialist online retailers are often the best option for variety, bulk value, and product knowledge. Retailers like Longdan offer online ordering with a far wider range than Amazon, including less common sizes and specialty varieties. If you are planning to make rice paper rolls regularly, buying in bulk online makes practical and financial sense, as dried rice paper has a long shelf life when stored correctly.

Buy Rice Paper At Longdan Now With Great Deals

When ordering online, pay close attention to:

• Diameter - 16cm, 18cm, 22cm, and 28cm are the most common sizes, and they make a real difference to how easy the wrapper is to work with
• Thickness - standard vs. extra thin affects both the texture and the ease of rolling
• Ingredients - traditional rice paper uses rice flour and tapioca starch; specialty varieties incorporate sweet potato, brown rice flour, or added colours from natural sources

Finding Rice Paper Near You

If you would rather buy locally and are not sure where to start, the most effective approach is a Google Maps search for "Asian grocery store near me" or "Chinese supermarket near me." This will usually surface options within a reasonable distance that you may not have been aware of.

The UK cities with the most reliable access to Asian groceries include London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Leicester, Nottingham, Edinburgh, and Bristol. Smaller cities and towns are more variable, but the number of Asian food stores across the UK has grown considerably over the past decade, and online delivery has largely filled the gaps.

Types of Rice Paper: A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right One

Not all rice paper is the same, and choosing the right type for your dish makes a genuine difference to the result.

By Size

Size	Best For
16cm	Appetiser-sized rolls, smaller portions
18cm	Compact spring rolls, party platters
22cm	Standard home cooking, most recipes
28cm	Large rolls, catering, sharing portions

Most recipes assume a 22cm wrapper unless otherwise specified. If you are new to working with rice paper, 22cm is the most forgiving size to start with.

By Thickness

Standard rice paper holds together better with heavier fillings - proteins, noodles, and denser vegetables. It is more robust and less likely to tear during rolling, which makes it a better choice for beginners or dishes with substantial fillings.

Extra thin rice paper produces a more delicate, translucent wrapper and is commonly used for fresh Vietnamese summer rolls (gỏi cuốn) where the visual presentation of the ingredients inside is part of the dish. It requires slightly more care during soaking and rolling but gives a cleaner, more refined result.

By Ingredient Variation

Beyond standard rice and tapioca starch wrappers, specialty varieties have become more widely available:

Sweet potato rice paper has a slightly different texture and a subtle colour variation that makes rolls visually distinctive. It behaves similarly to standard rice paper in preparation.

Brown rice paper is a wholegrain alternative with a slightly nuttier flavour and firmer texture. It holds together well and is popular with those looking for more nutritional variety.

Sesame or flavoured wrappers are less common but available from specialist retailers. These are often used as snacks or crackers rather than wrapping ingredients.

How to Store Rice Paper Correctly

Dried rice paper has a long shelf life, but storage matters. Moisture is the enemy - exposure to humidity will cause the sheets to warp, stick together, or become brittle.

Keep unopened packets in a cool, dry cupboard away from steam or condensation. Once opened, seal the remaining sheets tightly in the original packaging or transfer them to an airtight container. Stored correctly, rice paper will last for many months without deteriorating.

There is no need to refrigerate dried rice paper, and doing so is generally counterproductive as refrigerators introduce moisture.

How to Use Rice Paper: The Basics

For readers who are buying rice paper for the first time, a brief practical guide is useful context.

Soaking: Fill a large shallow dish or bowl with warm - not boiling - water. Submerge a single sheet for three to five seconds only. The wrapper will feel slightly stiff when you remove it; it continues to soften for another ten to fifteen seconds outside the water.

Surface: Place the soaked sheet on a clean, slightly damp surface - a damp chopping board or clean damp cloth works well. Avoid dry surfaces, which cause the wrapper to stick and tear.

Rolling: Add your fillings to the bottom third of the wrapper, fold in the sides, and roll tightly upward. Work quickly and confidently - hesitation leads to tearing.

The most common mistake is over-soaking. A sheet that is soaked too long becomes mushy and tears at the slightest pressure. Aim for barely pliable when it comes out of the water, and let it finish softening as you prepare your fillings.

FAQ

Is rice paper the same as a spring roll wrapper?

Not exactly. Vietnamese rice paper (bánh tráng) is the round, dried, translucent sheet used for both fresh and fried spring rolls. Frozen or refrigerated spring roll wrappers - sometimes labelled spring roll pastry - are a different product made with wheat flour and behave more like a thin pastry sheet. They are not interchangeable in most recipes.

What is the best rice paper for summer rolls?

Extra thin rice paper in a 22cm diameter is generally the best choice for fresh Vietnamese summer rolls. The thinner wrapper gives a cleaner, more translucent finish that lets the colourful ingredients show through - which is a large part of the visual appeal of the dish.

What is the difference between Chinese and Japanese rice paper?

In a culinary context, Chinese rice paper typically refers to edible wrappers used in cooking, though the exact product varies by recipe. Japanese rice paper (washi) is almost always a craft product - used in art, printing, and bookbinding - and is not edible. When shopping for food, always verify that the product is explicitly labelled as food-grade.

Why does my rice paper keep tearing?

The most likely causes are over-soaking (leaving the sheet in water too long), using boiling water instead of warm water, or placing the sheet on a dry surface. Soak for no more than five seconds, use warm water, and work on a damp surface.

Where can I find specialty rice paper like sweet potato or brown rice varieties?

These are almost exclusively available through Asian grocery stores and specialist online retailers. Major supermarkets do not typically carry specialty rice paper varieties.

Conclusion

Finding where to buy rice paper in the UK is straightforward once you know where to look. Asian grocery stores and specialist food retailers offer the widest range of rice paper sheets - from standard 22cm spring roll wrappers to extra thin, sweet potato, and brown rice varieties - at better value than supermarkets. For those outside major cities, online ordering from a specialist Asian food retailer is the most practical and well-stocked option.

If you are buying rice paper for the first time, start with a standard 22cm wrapper and move to extra thin once you are comfortable with the soaking and rolling technique. Store your sheets in a dry, airtight environment, and do not over-soak - that single habit will solve most beginner problems before they start.

Whether you are making fresh summer rolls for a weeknight dinner or preparing a larger spread, getting the right rice paper makes the process considerably easier and the results considerably better.