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Filipino Food & Culture

A broad family of noodle dishes

Pancit

How to say itpahn-SIT

A plate of thin noodles with vegetables and a lemon wedge
Pancit, one version of many.

Pancit is a broad name for many Filipino noodle dishes. The type of noodle, the sauce, and the toppings can all change, so two dishes called pancit may look and taste quite different.

Noodles are frequently served at celebrations and shared meals, where a large platter can feed many people. You will often see a wedge of citrus on the side to squeeze over the top.

What to expect

  • Stir-fried or sauced noodles with vegetables and often meat or seafood.
  • Noodles can be thin rice noodles, wheat noodles, or others depending on the dish.
  • Citrus on the side adds brightness; many people squeeze it over before eating.

Common variations

These are a few examples, not a complete list.

Pancit bihon
Usually made with thin rice noodles.
Pancit canton
Usually made with wheat noodles.
Pancit palabok
Noodles served with a thick sauce and toppings.
Mixed noodles
Some cooks combine two kinds of noodles in one dish.

Keep reading

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