Pancit Canton Recipe

Pancit is a staple in Filipino cuisine that is of Chinese influence. It is something that we serve during celebrations, but is not only reserved to special occasions. We also have it for merienda and even breakfast.

Now that I am not living in the Philippines and Pancit is not as accessible to me, I tried to learn how to make it. In general, all my favorite Filipino foods, I try to make myself, so I can enjoy them whenever I want in the comforts of my own home.

There are different versions of Pancit-- Pancit Canton with flour/egg noodles, Pancit Guisado with noodles similar to vermicelli/thin rice noodles and Pancit Palabok with seafood and sauce made of annatto seeds. There are a lot more types of Pancit but these 3 are the most familiar to me.

Found recipes online and edited them a bit to my preference. This is a no-meat version-

Ingredients:

100 grams sliced mushrooms (could be any kind but shiitake would be best)

100 grams julienned carrots

100 grams snap peas, I was not able to find them so I settled for string beans and cut them into about 3 cm long pieces

100 grams chopped cabbage

2 big garlic cloves minced

half onion sliced

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)

3-4 cups/ 800ml vegetable broth (optional, can also be just water)

350 grams pancit canton noodles

oil (I used extra virign olive oil)

a pinch of red pepper flakes (not traditional but good to add a bit of kick)

1. Heat oil in a pan, medium heat, pan should have a bit of depth so the noodles would have space. Stir fry snap peas, cabbage and carrots for a few minutes, season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

2. Saute garlic and onion in the same pan until onions are cooked and translucent. If you are adding pepper flakes, now is the time. Add mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook until mushrooms are soft, about 3 to 5 minutes.

3. Pour in stock or water seasoned with salt and pepper. Stir in soy sauce and oyster sauce. Let it simmer.

4. Add noodles, turn the heat to low and wait until almost half of the liquid has been absorbed and the noodles are cooked, about 5 minutes. Also check the cooking instructions of the noodles you are using. Add stir fried vegetables.

5. Continue to mix noodles and vegetables together, cook until you are happy with the consistency depending if you want it dry or saucy. Serve and squeeze a bit of lemon over Pancit if you like.