When it comes to Filipino food, one of the dishes that always comes to mind is Pancit Bihon!
Pancit Bihon is a delicious and satisfying noodle dish that can be prepared using simple ingredients found in most kitchens.
Pancit bihon is a Filipino noodle dish made of thin noodles stir fried with vegetables and meat, usually chicken or pork. It is a classic Filipino comfort food that can be served as a main course or side dish.
This one-pan recipe is one of our MOST REQUESTED dishes on the blog and we’re excited to share with you how to make it!
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Table of Contents
What is Pancit Bihon?
Pancit (also spelled “pansit”) is a stir fried noodle dish that originated from Chinese cuisine and has become a staple Filipino dish.
The word “pancit” is derived from the Hokkien word “pian e sit” which means “something conveniently cooked fast”.
Pancit Bihon specifically uses thin, translucent noodles called bihon.
Bihon noodles are usually made of either rice or cornstarch. These noodles are perfect for stir-frying because they cook quickly and absorb flavors well.
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There are many types of pancit dishes in the Philippines, but Pancit Bihon is a favorite among Filipinos because of its delicious taste and easy preparation!
Other types of pancit are Pancit Canton, Pancit Palabok, Pancit Malabon, Pancit Sotanghon, and Pancit Miki.
Why You’ll Love Making Pancit Bihon
There are many reasons why you’ll love making Pancit Bihon!
- It’s easy to make!
This is a convenient and accessible stir fry dish that can be whipped up quickly using basic ingredients. It is hard to mess up pancit bihon, making it perfect for beginners and advanced cooks alike.
- It’s fun!
You can totally enjoy creating it solo, put on some tunes or binge-watch a show, and embrace your inner Lola.
Pancit bihon also fun to make with family and friends, as it can be a collaborative effort in the kitchen. And at the end of it all, you get to dig in on some traditional and authentic Filipino food!
- It’s budget-friendly!
All the ingredients for Pancit Bihon are affordable and readily available in most grocery stores, making it an excellent option for those who want to prepare a delicious meal without breaking the bank!
You can also prepare this dish as a “fridge cleanout” pancit bihon and use whatever vegetables or proteins you have on hand, making it versatile and cost-effective, so that none of your ingredients go to waste.
- It’s a delicious and healthy meal!
Pancit Bihon is loaded with vegetables and lean protein, making it a nutritious meal that you and your loved ones can enjoy.
And making it at home ensures that every ingredient is fresh and you can control the amount of oil and seasoning used, making it healthier than takeout or restaurant versions.
As you can see, Pancit Bihon is a versatile, easy-to-make, budget-friendly, and delicious dish that you will surely love!
What To Eat with Pancit Bihon
Pancit bihon is often served either as a main dish or as a side dish to complement other Filipino dishes. This dish is often served at special occasions such as birthday parties and family gatherings, but it is also eaten on everyday occasions.
Here are some dishes that would pair perfectly with Pancit Bihon:
How to Store Pancit Bihon
Leftover Pancit Bihon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave it or heat it up in a pan. You may need to add a splash of water or chicken stock to help rehydrate the noodles.
You can also freeze pancit bihon for up to one month. When you are ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge then reheat in the microwave or on a stove top.
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Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb pork, chicken, or shrimp sliced or small pieces
- kosher salt to taste
- ½ cup celery chopped
- ½ cup carrots shredded
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 5 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 cup cabbage shredded
- 8 oz bihon noodles rice or cornstarch
Bihon noodles are made of either rice or cornstarch. You can find them at most Asian grocery stores like 99 Ranch, Seafood City, or Weee! Asian Grocery App.
For protein, we decided to go with thin sliced pork belly because it cooks quickly and adds plenty of flavor. We like using the drippings from the pork belly to add richness and depth to the dish.
You can choose pretty much any protein you would like, such as chicken, pork, shrimp, or tofu. However, we recommend to stick with thinner cuts or smaller pieces to ensure that they cook quickly and evenly.
Pancit Sauce and Seasoning
- ½ tsp chinese 5 spice powder
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp patis
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 4 cups chicken stock more as needed. See Note 2.
- fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Note 2. The noodles tend to get dry over time. Keep some extra stock handy to rehydrate the noodles over light heat.
Not every pancit bihon recipe uses this, but we like to add some chinese 5 spice powder, oyster sauce, and patis (fish sauce) for extra flavor.
We find the dish to be much more delicious with these additional ingredients, but you can adjust the amount to fit your taste.
Garnish
- lemon or calamansi wedges or slices
- green onion chopped
Recipe
Cook the Meat and Vegetables
- Heat a large pan or wok with oil to medium heat. Lightly salt the meat, then cook on the pan until fully cooked. Set aside, reserving the drippings on the pan.
- Add in the onion and garlic. Cook a few minutes until softened and aromatic.
- Add the rest of the vegetables. Cook for about 3-5 minutes.
Prepare the Sauce Mixture
- In a bowl, combine the chinese 5 spice powder, soy sauce, oyster sauce, patis, and white sugar. Mix well.
- Add the chicken stock and stir.
- Pour the mixture into the pan. Cover with a lid as you bring it to a boil.
Cook the Noodles
- Once boiling, add in the noodles. After a few minutes, flip the sheet of noodles to allow them to rehydrate evenly. Use a spatula or chopsticks to gently loosen up all the noodles.
- Toss the noodles until all the stock has been soaked up.
- Add the meat back in. Toss to combine.
- Add black pepper to taste.
- Serve with green onion and citrus.
Final Thoughts
Pancit Bihon is a beloved Filipino dish that is easy to make, budget-friendly and delicious. Make some for your family and friends during your next gathering or enjoy it as a comforting meal at home!
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Pancit Bihon
Equipment
- Our Place Always Pan See Note 1.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb pork, chicken, or shrimp sliced or small pieces
- kosher salt to taste
- ½ cup celery chopped
- ½ cup carrots shredded
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 5 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 cup cabbage shredded
- 8 oz bihon noodles rice or cornstarch
Pancit Sauce and Seasoning
- ½ tsp chinese 5 spice powder
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp patis
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 4 cups chicken stock more as needed. See Note 2.
- fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Garnish
- lemon or calamansi wedges or slices
- green onion chopped
Instructions
Cook the Meat and Vegetables
- Heat a large pan or wok with oil to medium heat. Lightly salt the meat, then cook on the pan until fully cooked. Set aside, reserving the drippings on the pan.
- Add in the onion and garlic. Cook a few minutes until softened and aromatic.
- Add the rest of the vegetables. Cook for about 3-5 minutes.
Prepare the Sauce Mixture
- In a bowl, combine the chinese 5 spice powder, soy sauce, oyster sauce, patis, and white sugar. Mix well.
- Add the chicken stock and stir.
- Pour the mixture into the pan. Cover with a lid as you bring it to a boil.
Cook the Noodles
- Once boiling, add in the noodles. After a few minutes, flip the sheet of noodles to allow them to rehydrate evenly. Use a spatula or chopsticks to gently loosen up all the noodles.
- Toss the noodles until all the stock has been soaked up.
- Add the meat back in. Toss to combine.
- Add black pepper to taste.
- Serve with green onion and citrus.
Notes
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[…] a component of a Filipino feast during celebrations. Serve it alongside other main dishes like pancit, lumpia, and adobo or side dishes like chop suey and ensaladang […]