Magnolia residents and business owners Vanessa Duong and Kyle Pham opened Spring Rolling in Magnolia in April 2023 to offer customers customizable Vietnamese cuisine.

The concept was inspired by fast-food restaurants like Chipotle and Cava where customers can build their own meals with a variety of ingredients.

What’s special about it?

With a degree in hotel and restaurant management, Duong said she and her husband Pham decided to expand their business opportunities in the area after owning a nail salon since 2020.

The Nail Kitchen, located in Magnolia, was intended to expand with a second location, however, the owners decided to pivot into a restaurant offering Vietnamese cuisine to share their family recipes with the community.

Spring Rolling offers dine-in, drive-thru and catering services as well as a welcoming environment where people can hang out and play board games provided by the restaurant or take advantage of free Wi-Fi, Duong said.

On the menu

Specializing in spring rolls, banh mi and bowls, customers can customize their meal option by choosing between rice, vermicelli noodles or japchae noodles; a protein, vegetables, toppings and sauces.

The Vietnamese customizable meals provide customers with an abundant dish that is both filling and healthy, Duong said.

Since opening, Spring Rolling expanded its services to include a larger menu featuring other customizable food and treat options, including pho noodle soup, wings, appetizers and desserts.

“We added pho because it’s a popular Vietnamese dish and provides a heartwarming meal,” Duong said.

For dessert

For those with a sweet tooth, the eatery offers a boba station where customers can select a drink to customize with a variety of flavors and toppings. Drink options include fruit teas, smoothies, sparkling drinks, milk teas and slushies.

Spring Rolling also offers a bubble waffle station with a variety of flavor, topping, ice cream and filling options. Duong said the waffles, made from scratch with limited sweeteners, offer a base upon which customers can sweeten as they desire with add-ons.

Along with Pham and Duong, the restaurant’s staff consists of Magnolia High School students. Duong said Spring Rolling aims to support its community by shopping locally for ingredients and providing a space where students can hang out.