Deliciously simple Filipino Pancit noodle recipe (Photos)

What is pancit?

Pancit also spelled pansit is noodles in the Filipino culture. Pancit was originally introduced to the Filipino people by the Chinese and like their counterparts; the Filipinos also believe that noodles represent long life and good health. The symbolism of most Asian cultures is not to cut the noodles as that would be bad luck.

This is a vegetable pancit recipe, however you easily can add any of your favorite meat protein to this dish or fried tofu is also very delicious and found in Asian markets.

Meat optional

Here are the instructions on preparing the optional meat to the pansit: Marinate chicken, shrimp and/or pork, the most common being pork. Meat should be cubed or cut into bite size pieces; shrimp should be peeled, deveined but left whole. Place meat in a zip lock bag in covered in additional teriyaki sauce overnight with two additional chopped gloves of garlic. Next day – drain marinade, cook meat in oil until brown and cooked through.

Pancit - Filipino rice noodles and vegetables

Photo credit: 

Monica Lehua

Ingredients for Pancit Noodles and Vegetables

1 (8 oz) package dry rice noodles (bihon)

3 garlic cloves, sliced

2 cups shredded cabbage

2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

½ onion, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons cooking oil

1 large portabella mushroom sliced to bite size pieces

½ cup fresh snow peas in pod, thinly sliced

¼ cup low salt soy sauce

3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce

Green onions, sliced (4-6 stalks to taste)

Several calamansi or lemon or lime to taste

Directions for Pancit noodles

1. Boil water in pot (enough to soak noodles in). Once water comes to boil, remove from heat, add dry noodles and let sit for 10 minutes.

Directions for entire dish

1. Prepare all of your vegetables first. Heat a large skillet or pot with cooking oil, add sliced garlic to hot oil, sauté and let brown but not burn.
2. Add carrots and stir fry for 3-4 minutes.
3. Add cabbage, onions, snow peas and some of the soy sauce (1-2 tablespoons), continue to stir fry until vegetables are soft (about 3-5 minutes more)
4. Add the mushrooms, sauté for a couple of minutes, then add the softened rice noodles along with the rest of the soy sauce and the teriyaki sauce – mix well, until all noodles are coated with soy and teriyaki sauce and vegetables mixed well.
5. Serve noodles and vegetables on a plate, top with cooked meat if desired; add green onions on top with as much or as little squeeze of calmansi citrus (or lemon or lime). Enjoy!

Tip: best eaten with chop sticks

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