What are rice paper wrappers?

Rice paper wrappers have come to worldwide popularity from Vietnam, where they have a long history of making these wrappers (in Vietnamese bánh tráng) by hand through a long and laborious process. Traditionally, they are made of rice, water, and salt. Nowadays, tapioca starch is often added to make it thinner, and easier to soften and roll.

Rice papers are usually 22 cm in diameter (approx. 8.5-inch). They are transparent and very thin, paper-thin. Hence, its name. Companies may use different names for it, though. If you come across one of these from the below list, rest assured they are talking about the same thing.

rice papers
rice wrappers
rice wafers
rice paper wrappers
bánh tráng (Vietnamese name)