Introduction to Pancit Noodles
‘Pancit’ is a term for noodles in Filipino cuisine. Though this dish was first introduced by Chinese immigrants, Pancit noodles gradually made their way into the local cuisine as Filipinos made them their own.
The many variants of this ‘Filipino’ noodle dish have emerged as one of the most recommended and must-try food items of Filipino cuisine.
Here are some of the popular varieties of Pancit noodles, most of which are traditionally served during special occasions like birthdays and festivals as the long noodles are considered a symbol for long life! So, next time you are flying to the Phillipines, don’t miss the chance to try the below varieties of Pancit noodles!
Pancit Palabok:
Pancit Palabok, one of the classic varieties of Pinoy Pancit, is a traditional dish of rice noodles served with a rich, flavorful, and colorful (yellowish orange) sauce made with shrimps, ground pork, and squid.
This Filipino noodle dish is topped with ingredients such as slices of hard-boiled eggs, crushed chicharron (deep-fried pork belly rinds), smoked fish flakes, spring onions, etc., that give it a unique mix of different flavors and textures. Mix the sauce with the noodles and devour!
Where to eat the best Pancit Palabok?
- Liaoning’s Special Pancit Palabok and Little Quiapo in Quezon City
- Tonang’s Pancit Palabok Restaurant and AlingTonang’s Palabok in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.
- Mel’s Pancit Palabok in Las Pinas, Metro Manila
Pancit Malabon:
This Pancit dish, having originated in the Malabon city of Metro Manila, gained popularity as Pancit Malabon. It is a stir-fried noodle variety in which thick rice noodles are seasoned with shrimp sauce and topped with slices of hard-boiled eggs, crushed pork rinds, cooked squid, shrimps, smoked milkfish, chopped onions, cabbage, etc.
This Filipino noodle dish can be considered a version of Pancit Palabok, and the shrimp sauce used to make Pancit Malabon is thicker and richer due to the addition of patis (fish sauce) and crab fat.
Where to eat the best Pancit Malabon?
- Nanay’s Pancit Malabon, Dolores Pancit Malabon, Belen’s Kitchenette in Malabon.
- Dolora’sHauzof Pancit Malabon in Pasig or Makati, Metro Manila.
- Pancit Ng TagaMalabon in Quezon City
Pancit Guisado:
Pancit Guisado is perhaps the most popular variety of Pancit noodles in the Philippines. This stir-fried noodle dish loaded with sliced meat, shrimp (or other seafood), and chopped vegetables has three well-known variants – Pancit Canton, Pancit Bihon, and Bam-I.
While Pancit Canton is made with egg noodles, thin vermicelli noodles are used for Pancit Sotanghon, and Bam-i is a mix of both types of noodles. Soy sauce, oyster sauce, and lemon are commonly used for seasoning this Filipino noodle dish.
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Where to eat the best Pancit Guisado?
- Little Quiapo, Max’s Restaurant, and Hap Chan Tea House in Quezon City
- Dolora’sHauzof Pancit Malabon in Makati, Metro Manila.
- Three Sisters Restaurant and Ado’s Panciteria in Pasig, Metro Manila.
Pancit Lomi:
Pancit Lomi is a type of thick egg noodles soup. These Pancit noodles are prepared in different styles in different regions. The egg noodles are stewed in a thick soup consisting of eggs, slices of meat (usually pork or chicken), and a variety of vegetables (typically carrots, cabbage, and mushrooms).
Try Pancit Lomi in Batangas as this province is quite famous for its Batangas Lomi which uses sliced kikiam, ham, pork liver, and meatballs.
Where to eat the best Pancit Lomi?
- Liam’s Lomi House, Lomi King, Benoks Lomi Haus & Fast Food in Lipa, Batangas.
- Pancit Center in Pasig, Metro Manila.
- Andy’s Famous Batangas Lomi & Bulalo in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
Pancit Habhab:
This Filipino noodle dish native of Lucban Province in Quezon City is as famous for the manner of eating it as for its taste.
Pancit Habhab, made with dried flour noodles (called Miki Lucban), is topped with chunks of pork, carrots, cabbage, chayote, and seasoned with soy/ oyster sauce and vinegar.
It is served traditionally on a banana leaf, and you are supposed to slurp the noodles straight from the leaf without using hands or any cutlery! Try it out!
Where to eat the best Pancit Habhab?
- Buddy’s, Mustiola, Pipet, and Salud restaurants in Quezon City
- Buddy’s Pancit Lucban in Makati, Taguig City
