Hey! I'm Des!
Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.
Filipino Pancit Recipe
Pancit is a classic Filipino Recipe. It’s a quick and easy stir-fried rice noodle dish with a savory sauce, pork and vegetables.
Recently I have been thinking about family traditions and recipes always come to mind. For just about every Filipino family out there someone has a recipe for Pancit, a stir-fried noodle dish with meat and vegetables. Since Pancit literally means noodles there are many different versions of this dish out there and no two families make it the same. I knew my dad knew the recipe so I gave him a call.
Like many family recipes, this wasn’t written down, my dad just remembered that my grandma added a little of this and a little of that when she was making it. I jotted down the ingredients and instructions and set out to create it. The results were spot on and childhood memories flooded back. I love that about food.
What is Pancit?
In case you’re wondering, pancit is a traditional filipino noodle dish. Much like a stir-fry it is made with noodles, vegetables and meat.
And much like other stir-fries, you could use just about any combo that you like:
VEGETABLES: Cabbage and carrots are common. As are onions, green beans, celery and snow peas.
MEAT: Chicken, beef or pork as well as shrimp are common.
NOODLES: Traditionally, pancit is made with vermeclli rice noodles. The great thing about most rice noodles is that they simply need to soak rather than boil so it saves some time! That being said, you could use udon noodles, chow mein or pancit canton noodles if you can find them.
DES’ TIP: The key with any stir fry is to make sure that the vegetables are all cut uniformly so that they cook at similar times.
In this recipe, I use boneless pork chops, cabbage, carrots, yellow onion, green onion, and rice noodles.
How Do You Make Filipino Pancit?
STEP #1: Soak noodles according to package directions.
STEP #2: Cut pork and vegetables into similar sizes. Set aside.
STEP #3: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add pork, onions, garlic and soy sauce. Cook just until the pork starts to brown.
STEP #4: Add in the vegetables. Pour in chicken broth, add noodles and cook until the liquid is absorbed.
What do you serve with Pancit?
One thing I love about stir-fries is that you’ve got your veggies and meat all in one dish already. BUT if you are looking for something to serve along side try some sauteed broccoli and of course, Filipino lumpia.
Looking for more Asian recipes? Try these!
Salt and Pepper Calamari Recipe
Note: this recipe was originally posted in 2009. The recipe, photos, tips and nutrition facts were updated in 2020.
Filipino Pancit Recipe
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 8.8 ounce package Thai Vermicelli rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 pound pork chops about 4 chops, sliced into bite size pieces
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup sliced carrots
- 3 diced green onions
- kosher salt and cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak noodles according to package directions.
- Prep the pork and vegetables by cutting into uniform sizes.
- Heat oil in a wok or large saute pan. Add pork, yellow onion, garlic and soy sauce. Cook 3-5 minutes or until pork is browned. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add chicken stock, cabbage, carrots and green onions. Cook 3-5 minutes or until vegetables have softened. Add noodles to pork and vegetable mixture. Toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Hey! I'm Des!
Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.
Joselito
January 20, 2023 at 6:08 pmThe best way to make any meat soft and tender is you can put some baking soda on your meat. You can put one teaspoon of baking soda in one pound of meat. Wash your meat first then squeeze the water out from the meat then mix it with baking soda and then let it aside for at least 15 minutes. You can then do whatever you want with the meat. You can marinate or grill it. Just don’t mix the baking soda with your marinated sauce. Please try it then you will see the difference.
Deseree
January 20, 2023 at 8:24 pmThank you for the tip, Joselito! I’ll have to try that!
Torey
January 16, 2023 at 11:53 pmThis was delicious! I just made it tonight for dinner, the only thing I did was use less onion, added a little more canola oil, and a tbsp more soy sauce. Also had to substitute the Vermicelli rice noodles for stir fry rice noodles since I couldn’t find them at the grocery store. I definitely would make this again, the only thing I’m not sure about is how to make the pork a little less tough, because it wasn’t horrible, it just seemed slightly chewy and tough to chew. Still regardless, I LOVED this!!
Terry Oelmann
January 12, 2023 at 2:39 pmTo be fair I did leave out the salt and pepper, used low sodium chicken broth and instead of pork chops I used pork tenderloin. The S&P and low sodium chicken broth are for health reasons. My wife did try to add a little pepper to hers but did nothing and I did try adding a little more low sodium soy sauce. Sadly we both felt this was pretty blah and flavorless. And just now I read JOSELITO’s comment. I don’t know if cooking the noodles in with the Pansit would have helped so take my review with a grain of salt, but I would certainly add something to give it a little more flavor. On the up side I did have a side of Kimchi with it and that helped the few bite I had go down. Sorry, maybe someone could respond to what would help me out if I try again some day.
Deseree
January 13, 2023 at 2:20 pmHi Terry, I am so sorry to hear that this didn’t have enough flavor for you or your wife! Using low-sodium chicken broth, no salt and pepper and losing the fat from the pork chops in exchange for the pork tenderloin did probably have an impact on the overall flavor of the dish. I do like Joselitos tip to add the dry noodles to the pan and admit that I have never tried it that way before since most noodle brands tell you to soak them first. If it does work like he said, I do think that that would help you with the flavor!
Joselito
January 8, 2023 at 8:28 pmThe reason there is a lot of liquid on the Pansit is that when you soak the noodles in the water prior to cooking. The noodles lost the ability to suck the water or juice on your pan. The way I cook the Pansit I do not soak it in the water. When you put your dried noodles in the pan while you are cooking them. The noodles will suck all the liquid in your pan. Doing this will enhance the flavor of the Pansit. If it gets too dry you can always add some chicken stock to your Pancit.
Deseree
January 13, 2023 at 2:22 pmI had never heard that before, thank you for the tip! I usually just followed the instructions on the noodle package, this seems like it’s worth a try!
Jade
January 5, 2023 at 9:56 amSmells and tastes great.
But even after cooking so much liquid left and followed recipe exactly.
Any ideas on what went wrong / how to fix?
Deseree
January 5, 2023 at 9:40 pmI’m happy to hear that it smells and tastes great! Sorry to hear about the issue with the liquid. My only thought is maybe your pan wasn’t large enough? When the pan is too small ingredients will steam and create more liquid. Perhaps that was the issue?
Kimberly
December 29, 2022 at 7:46 amI just tried some this morning and had to find a recipe. One of my co-workers is Filipino and made some for work. I absolutely love it and can’t wait to make it. Do you think tofu would taste good in it? I’m not a big meat eater.
Felix
December 25, 2022 at 5:21 pmI tried this with a veggie recipe I tweaked for my friends and we all loved it! Thank you for sharing
JoAnna
December 24, 2022 at 8:25 pmWouldn’t you know it my husband is Filipino and I sent them to the Filipino grocery store any picks up Bihon noodles. Which are cornstarch sticks or noodles not rice noodles. This Polish Girl should have went and got the right noodles instead of sending a Filipino husband haha! I hope it works just as well and it doesn’t get mushy. Everything else seems very basic in what I have tasted in p a n c i t. I made a previously for my son’s rehearsal dinner. Will be adding shrimp with the pork.
Karen
December 11, 2022 at 4:57 pmThanks for sharing this awesome recipe. It looks so good I can’t wait to try it.
Emma
September 22, 2022 at 10:15 amHoly moly this was good Des!! I love pancit and make/eat Filipino food all the time and this recipe didn’t disappoint. You wouldn’t have a lumpia recipe too would you? Love to get that as well.
Deseree
September 22, 2022 at 9:53 pmSo happy to hear that, Emma! And yes I do! Just search lumpia in the search bar :)
Kfcrecipe
September 18, 2022 at 12:19 pmWow!! It’s looking great and yummy. This is a new recipe for me, I will try it definitely.
Blanca
September 12, 2022 at 2:39 amHealthy and easy recipe! it looks delicious
Christine
August 29, 2022 at 7:14 amFive stars! Looks so good! I am drooling
John
August 29, 2022 at 5:16 amI will use chicken instead and have to say this looks like the fresh and light dinner meal I was looking for. Surely will try this tonight!
Arnulfo
August 27, 2022 at 6:59 pmFantastic dish made tonight I used chicken.
Deseree
August 28, 2022 at 4:43 pmThank you, Arnulfo! Glad you enjoyed it!
Dan
August 7, 2022 at 10:54 pmExcellent recipe, thanks! I live in the Philippines and it’s nice to see a pancit recipe without some form of MSG added. Here the common form is known as “magic sarap”
ChoosyGrandma
July 30, 2022 at 5:04 pmSpot on delicious! I have a Filipino relative that made pancit and lumpia when we were with her. Always delicious but never tried it til now. I tweaked a little, but this version is just as I remember from my childhood. Now I just need to make lumpia! 😁
Claire
June 11, 2022 at 8:37 amHello Deseree,
Thank you for putting this out here. The first time I tried this out, I messed it up. The second time was very tasty; my children have been begging me to make it again. Quick question, can I use fish instead of pork?
Deseree
June 11, 2022 at 5:48 pmHi Claire, you certainly could use fish instead of pork! The cook time would change slightly since fish will take less time to cook. I’m glad to hear your kiddos like it!
Bob
June 7, 2022 at 12:43 amThis is do so nice !
I can’t wait to make this for my breakfast tomorrow
I hope my family will love it tho.
julies kitchen
May 9, 2022 at 12:00 pmThank you for the recipe! It really is delicious!
I made it with mushrooms and colorful tiny peppers and it also turned out great
Tammy McAndrew
May 7, 2022 at 2:40 pmVery tasty! I tweaked it a bit, added shrimp and doubled the soyplus a 1/2 tsp of cayenne to give a little zing! Very good! Quick and easy too!
Deseree
May 7, 2022 at 7:03 pmOh I love the idea of adding cayenne! Going to try that next time. Glad you enjoyed it! :)
Sophia
March 25, 2022 at 2:55 amI tried this recipe yesterday, and the results were even better than I had hoped. It’s a very simple and quick recipe to follow. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.
Deseree
March 28, 2022 at 9:05 pmYou’re welcome, Sophia! So happy to hear that!
Alexis R
March 3, 2022 at 8:31 pmHello, what is a good substitute for pork ?
Deseree
March 3, 2022 at 9:22 pmHi! You could use chicken if you like. Or even do an all veggie one :)
Jen
February 25, 2022 at 4:39 pmWas super good. I added some celery and added lemon wedges and more soy sauce. Nice and crunchy. Thanks was super easy to.
jwel
February 24, 2022 at 5:32 pmgood taste but the soaked noodles turned to mush when added to wok.
the mush tasted good though
max donoghue
February 13, 2022 at 9:49 pmyummo
Deseree
February 14, 2022 at 9:29 amThank you!!
Jeff
February 9, 2022 at 3:47 pmFollowed recipe as directed. Was quite bland.
Deseree
February 9, 2022 at 9:26 pmSorry to hear that, Jeff! Thanks for the feedback!
Theresa
February 3, 2022 at 4:13 pmMade this with chicken and it was delicious!!!!
Deseree
February 4, 2022 at 9:29 amYay! I am so happy to hear that!
Hillari
February 1, 2022 at 3:20 pmThis was amazing! I used pork belly and it was so good!
Deseree
February 1, 2022 at 3:57 pmThank you, Hillari! I am so happy to hear that! I need to try it with pork belly, that sounds amazing :)
Duke
January 25, 2022 at 12:17 amI’m shairng this with my wife immediately. Thanks for this amazing recipe. Keep working and never stop. You are doing great work here.
Andrea
January 24, 2022 at 6:15 amLove this recipe! So simple and looks so tasty! Can’t wait to make it. Thank you!
cameron
September 10, 2021 at 11:14 amAm read this recipe and try it its supper yummy in taste
Its made my last diner full of LOL
Thank you so much
Sheila
July 12, 2021 at 7:50 pmThis was the best! I made one change from pork to shrimp. The noodles were a first for the family & we all enjoyed it very much. It’s definitely a keeper:
Deseree
July 12, 2021 at 9:40 pmI am so happy to hear that, Sheila! I am going to have to try this with shrimp for sure!
Laura Wilson
April 2, 2021 at 8:45 amHow do you think this would turn out as a vegetarian dish? It looks amazing.
Deseree
April 3, 2021 at 10:06 amoh I think it would work great as a vegetarian dish!
Raquel
March 8, 2021 at 2:05 pmThis looks delicious – my family will love it!
Kim
February 6, 2021 at 7:39 amDes, thanks for sharing your grandmother’s pancit recipe. It looks amazing. I love trying new dishes and cannot wait to taste this one.
Raquel
November 19, 2020 at 10:47 amThis looks amazing and I am going to try to make this! Drooling!
Alison McKown
November 19, 2020 at 10:34 amThis looks so delicious! Thank you so much! I can’t wait to try to make it. :-)
leslie
August 10, 2009 at 4:11 pmIt was great……I love it it came out pretty good and it was the first time that I cook something different…..
thanks!!!!!
Deseree
August 11, 2009 at 3:55 pmYou’re welcome Leslie! It is good to hear that you liked it. It’s always fun to cook something different isn’t it? :)
_ts of [eatingclub] vancouver
June 11, 2009 at 9:55 pmI was trying to pick which post to comment on, but they all look so pretty!!! How do you take such nice photos?! Anyway, I decided that if I were to comment, why not on PANCIT? =D Anyway, I’ve added your blog to my reader and looking forward to all your posts!
Mrs. L
March 31, 2009 at 11:48 amYou are so right about the recipes all being different. My Grandma made a different version than her sisters. And nothing was written down. To this day my mom (who of course makes my Grandma’s version) doesn’t measure and asking her for the recipe is “take some of this, add some of that”. I’ve made pansit several times but only with my mom at my shoulder giving me instructions. I really do need to write grams recipe down. (FYI, my Grams pansit, is my most favorite dish in the entire world! :)
Deseree
March 31, 2009 at 2:03 pmhaha I totally agree about most recipes being “a little of this and a little of that”. That is actually one of the really good things that has come out of starting this blog. Whenever I would make something and someone would ask me for the recipe I would never have anything written down since I would never measure, but when I started the blog that changed all of that :)
Cassie
March 29, 2009 at 9:34 amThis looks so so good. I think I’ll make a version one day this week.
Deseree
March 30, 2009 at 3:22 pmThanks Cassie!