Noodle Dish

Pancit is a staple Filipino dish found at numerous feasts and celebrations, consisting of stir-fried noodles with meat and vegetables such as chicken, pork, shrimp, celery, carrots, onions, garlic, and cabbage. The dish has Chinese origins, and the name of the dish is derived from the Hokkien phrase pian i sit, meaning something convenient, cooked fast. Over time, pancit evolved and became a signature Filipino dish, so today, there are numerous variations of pancit such as pancit canton and pancit bihon. Egg noodles are used for pancit canton, while thin, translucent rice noodles are used for pancit bihon. The dishes are often prepared for birthday celebrations as they symbolize longevity and health according to ancient Filipino superstitions.

Pancit

Philippines

Pancit Batil Patong is a traditional type of Filipino pancit originating from Tuguegarao City in Cagayan. The dish consists of two main elements &ndash; noodles with toppings, and a sauce. The first part is made with a combination of egg noodles, ground beef or water buffalo meat, pork liver, onions, mung bean sprouts, scallions, cabbage, carrots, eggs, soy sauce, black pepper, and oil, while the sauce is made with beef stock, eggs, carrots, onions, and celery &ndash; the final result should look similar to egg drop soup. Once prepared, the sauce is poured over the noodles and meat, and the dish is enjoyed while still warm. There are many variations on the dish, so it's often served with an egg on top, while lemon or calamansi wedges are often served on the side.

Pancit Batil Patong

Pancit Bato is a traditional type of Filipino pancit originating from the town of Bato, hence the name. This noodle soup is usually made with a combination of sun-dried pancit Bato egg noodles, carrots, peas, cabbage, pork slices, oil, salt, pepper, and chicken stock. The pork is saut&eacute;ed in oil, then covered with the chicken stock and simmered until tender. The cabbage, noodles, peas, and carrots are added to the soup and it is then seasoned with salt and pepper. Once prepared, pancit Bato is served warm in large bowls. There are some variations on the dish with added shrimp and fish sauce.

Pancit Bato

Pancit bihon is a famous Filipino stir-fry consisting of rice noodles combined with sliced pork or chicken and various vegetables. The dish is infused with soy sauce and it is usually lightly seasoned with lemon juice. Just like other pancit varieties, this version is often found at numerous street stands throughout the country and is a staple dish served on special and festive occasions.

Pancit bihon

Pancit Cabagan is a traditional type of pancit originating from Cabagan. The dish is usually made with a combination of lechon carajay (crispy pork belly that's boiled with spices and deep-fried), egg noodles, quail eggs, carrots, bell peppers, parsley, pork shoulder, cabbage, garlic, beef stock, soy sauce, fish sauce, scallions, oil, and black pepper. The garlic is saut&eacute;ed in oil, then stir-fried with the pork slices. Soy sauce, fish sauce, and beef stock are added to the mix and everything is simmered until the pork becomes tender. The rest of the ingredients are then added to the pan and the dish is cooked for a few more minutes before it's topped with lechon carajay and served warm. This type of pancit has more sauce than most other pancit varieties.

Pancit Cabagan

Pancit canton is a Filipino dish of Chinese origin which combines yellow wheat noodles and a variety of meat, seafood, and vegetables, blended with a flavorful mixture of soy and oyster sauce. The ingredients are easily adjusted to taste, availability, and preference and can be prepared separately or shortly stir-fried alongside noodles. Since long and thick noodles symbolize long and prosperous life, this versatile and colorful dish is usually served on special occasions, such as various celebrations and birthday parties.

Pancit canton

Pancit lomi is a hearty Filipino soup consisting of fresh egg noodles served in a rich, flavorful broth. Many regional varieties are thickened with flour or eggs and incorporate pork or chicken, sliced pork liver, and a variety of vegetables. The most famous version of pancit lomi originates from Batangas and often employs sliced kikiam, ham, or meatballs. This Chinese-influenced dish is always served hot and it is usually sold by numerous street vendors throughout the Philippines.

Pancit lomi

Pancit habhab or pancit Lucban is a traditional type of pancit originating from the Quezon province. The dish is usually made with a combination of dried flour noodles (miki Lucban), pork belly slices, beef stock, shrimp, pig liver, bok choy, peas, carrots, onions, garlic, soy sauce, oil, and black pepper. The ingredients are saut&eacute;ed and stir-fried until everything is tender, and the dish is then served on a banana leaf and topped with shrimp and vegetables. Lime wedges are often served on the side. Pancit habhab is enjoyed without utensils &ndash; you pick up the banana leaf and eat the noodle dish like a sandwich, just don't eat the banana leaf wrapper.

Pancit Lucban

Pancit Malabon belongs to a broad group of traditional Filipino stir-fried noodle dishes. It is prepared with thick rice noodles doused in a flavorful shrimp-infused sauce and usually incorporates various seafood ingredients such as shrimps, squids, or mussels. The dish is often served topped with hard-boiled eggs, pork cracklings, sliced cabbage, and fish flakes. As the name suggests, it stems from the coastal region of Malabon, famous for its abundance of fresh seafood ingredients. Like other pancit varieties, this local favorite is also traditionally served on special occasions.

Pancit malabon

Pancit palabok is a traditional dish consisting of thin rice noodles doused in a creamy shrimp-infused sauce and complemented with various toppings such as hard-boiled eggs, pork cracklings, shrimps, pork, fish flakes, and scallions. This classic is one of the most famous varieties of the traditional pancit dishes and it is considered to be an authentic Filipino invention, unlike other Chinese-influenced versions. Even though it is commonly prepared at many Filipino households, this national favorite is typically prepared for special and festive occasions.

Pancit palabok

Pancit sotanghon is a traditional type of pancit originating from the Philippines. The dish is usually made with a combination of sotanghon (cellophane or glass) noodles, shredded chicken meat, Chinese sausage, pork slices, parsley, soy sauce, carrots, snap peas, cabbage, onions, garlic, salt, pepper, and oil. This type of pancit is made in a wok or a large pan, and all ingredients are saut&eacute;ed and stir-fried until everything becomes tender and fully cooked. This noodle dish is typically served straight out of the pan, while still hot, and it's traditionally accompanied by lemon or calamansi wedges on the side.

Pancit sotanghon

Although it is hard to trace its exact origin, this hearty noodle dish is believed to be a classic fusion of Chinese and Malaysian culinary traditions. The dish usually consists of hand-pulled noodles that are served in broth, usually accompanied by leafy green vegetables, minced pork, and mushrooms. Pan mee is predominantly found at hawker-style restaurants and stalls and is typically served with sambal sauce on the side. It goes under various names, and apart from the traditional version, it can employ different types of broth or other additional ingredients. Occasionally, it also comes in a dry version, which is usually complemented by soy sauce and a poached egg.

Pan mee

Malaysia

Penang version of the dish known as Hokkien mee is significantly different from the varieties that can be found in other parts of Malaysia and Singapore. Often referred as prawn mee, the dish consists of a broth that is flavored with prawns and pork ribs, and which comes topped with ingredients such as sliced pork, rice and wheat noodles, bean sprouts, prawns, kangkong (water spinach), fried shallots, and boiled eggs. This hawker classic is usually served with a chili-based sauce. As the name suggests, the origins of the dish are among the Hokkien community who emigrated from Chinese province of Fujian.

Penang Hokkien Mee

The perfect blend of spicy, sweet, savory, and umami flavors, penang laksa is a popular Malaysian street food, originating from the north-western state of Penang. This hearty noodle soup is made with poached mackerel (or sardines), tamarind, lemongrass, and chili peppers as the base ingredients. Other commonly used garnishes include ginger flower buds, pineapple slices, onions, mint, and shrimp paste (hae ko). But, regardless of all the specific recipes, the result is always a rich and strong-flavored dish that has earned the adoration of both locals and travelers alike. So much so, that in 2011 CNN Go ranked penang laksa #7 in their "World's 50 Best Foods" list - and it's the only Malaysian dish included.

Penang laksa

Phat si-io is a Chinese-style noodle dish originating from Thailand. The dish is often prepared and served from street stalls and consists of big noodles or vermicelli which are stir-fried with thinly sliced pork, beef, chicken, or seafood. The dish is popular because of its fragrant aroma coming from fried soy sauce (both light and dark varieties), garlic, eggs, and Chinese broccoli, which are also included in the pan. The dish is also spelled as pad see ew, with pad meaning fried, and see ew meaning soy sauce, so the name literally means fried soy sauce. Once done, it's recommended to serve phat si-io with chili sauce.

Phat si-io

Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup, Vietnam's national dish, street food, comfort food, and a way of life. It is also one of the most beloved Vietnamese dishes in the western hemisphere due to its complex, unique flavors, and elegant simplicity. Although it is classified as a soup, pho is served as the main course and the two bowls of it never taste the same. It is traditionally made with chicken or beef broth, where the bones simmer lazily for at least three hours until the broth is perfect. The addition of herbs and spices accentuates the flavors, and the chewy rice noodles, juicy beef slices, and crunchy sprouts elevate the dish to another level. There are two main types of Pho in Vietnam - one is Pho Bac, made in the northern parts of the country, with a clear, simple, delicate flavor and spices, without the herbs and garnishes found in Pho Nam, which is made in the southern parts of the country, with added spices, bean sprouts, various toppings, fish, and hoisin sauce. It is believed that pho derived from the French pot au feu, but regardless of the legend's truthfulness, pho still remains a staple of comfort food - warm, hearty, and delicious.

This beef-based version of pho is prepared with assorted cuts and parts of beef &ndash; the stock is made from beef bones, shank, ox tail, and neck, while the toppings include thinly sliced fatty brisket (gầu), flank, eye-round steak, tripe, cooked and raw beef (t&aacute;i nạm), tendon (g&acirc;n), or beef balls (phở b&ograve; vi&ecirc;n), but the latter version is not that popular in Vietnam. Beef pho is usually flavored with dried spices such as cinnamon, star anise, cloves, cardamom, and coriander. The dish is served piping hot in a bowl along with rice noodles, and it's typically topped with cilantro, sliced onions, and chopped green onions. On the side, you can often find a platter with bean sprouts, lime wedges, and sliced hot peppers so each person can add the garnishes to his or her liking. Hoisin and Sriracha sauces are also often-seen staples on the side.

Phở bò

Vietnam

Phở b&ograve; t&aacute;i ch&iacute;n is a Northern Vietnamese version of phở b&ograve; (beef pho). This soup is prepared with well-done (ch&iacute;n) and rare or half-done beef (t&aacute;i) that's cooked by the broth when served. Other common components of the soup include beef broth, bones, ginger, onions, fish sauce, sugar, anise, cloves, cinnamon, and rice noodles. A few slices of roast beef and raw beef are served in each bowl before the broth is ladled into the bowls. Phở b&ograve; t&aacute;i ch&iacute;n is usually garnished with Thai chili peppers, bean sprouts, cilantro, and Asian basil, while lime wedges are often served on the side.

Phở bò tái chín

Pho chay is a vegan version of pho noodle soup. The broth is usually based on mushrooms, ginger, onions, soy sauce, and spices, although there are numerous variations on the dish. The spices often include cloves, cinnamon, coriander seeds, and black cardamom. All that's left is to cook the large pho noodles, combine them with the broth, then add the toppings such as bean sprouts, tofu, large mushrooms, and sliced chili peppers. The dish can be enriched with a variety of vegetables such as leeks, carrots, pak choi, and even fruit such as apples. Before serving, this pho variety is often sprinkled with fresh coriander and accompanied by nuoc cham fish sauce on the side (the fish sauce, however, is not vegan).

Pho chay

Phở chua is a traditional phở variety. The first version of this noodle soup usually contains six key ingredients &ndash; pink rice noodles, peanuts, pickles, soy sauce, sour pickle liquid, and Northern sauce. The second version consists of two components &ndash; dry ingredients and the broth, with the dry ingredients including noodles, sliced and fried potatoes, pig's liver, and roasted duck meat, while the broth is made from garlic, vinegar, and sugar. Both of these versions are popular in Northern Vietnam, and the dish is garnished with fresh herbs, fried shallots, or crushed peanuts before serving. Sour phở is usually prepared and served during summer and autumn, and it's often prepared for special guests and visitors.