This Pancit Canton will definitely make your occasions extra special. With squid balls, Chinese sausage, and chicken liver in addition to the chicken meat, shrimp and the usual medley of colorful veggies like snow beans, carrots, bell pepper, and cabbage. The good news is, it is also very easy to prepare!
Armin loves Pancit Canton. I had to confess though that his first was an instant one. Yep, that pack where you cook the noodles in boiling water (or microwave if you are super lazy to boil water), drain them and little packets of seasonings are added afterward.
It was when we were still in Germany and I would hoard packs of instant noodles whenever we go to the Philippines or even just to an Asian store. I think it is a common thing for a Filipino who lives abroad. You crave for home food and even instant noodles would taste like heaven.
And I can't believe that Armin would like them. I was very pleased but I felt guilty as well. Thinking, what kind of food blogger wife am I feeding my husband instant noodles ?? So I cooked him a proper Pancit Canton some days after. Albeit a simple one since I can't get all the ingredients that I need all at once. But still, he really dug it!
Now that I have access to all the stuff needed to make it a lot better, I thought it was time he tries the real deal.
This special Pancit canton has squid balls, Chinese sausage, and chicken liver in addition to the chicken meat and shrimp. With a medley of carrots, bell pepper, snow peas, celery and cabbage that makes it colorful and festive. A perfect dish for your special occasions.
What is Pancit Canton?
Pancit Canton is a Filipino stir-fried noodles made from wheat-flour egg noodles. Such noodle is also known as flour sticks. It is usually cooked with shrimp, chicken (or pork) and vegetables. The usual seasoning is soy sauce and calamansi is also squeezed on it before eating.
It is a popular dish during birthdays as the long strands of noodles symbolize longevity. But this is only "true" if the noodles are uncut.
Filipino pancit canton is very similar to Chinese Lo Mein. Same noodles, same prep, and even the seasoning. Well, from the name itself you can guess where this dish originally came from. Pancit was brought to the Philippines by the Chinese merchants long before the Spanish came.
How to cook Pancit Canton
It is fairly easy to make and is normally done in just 10-15 minutes if using really basic ingredients.
- Saute garlic and onions in oil.
- Stir fry the meat (chicken or pork and shrimp).
- Stir fry the vegetables.
- Add liquid and seasoning.
- Add the pancit canton noodles and cook until most liquids are absorbed and noodles are cooked al dente.
However, if special ingredients are added, some of them might need additional steps or techniques in preparing them. But no worries, it would be nothing complicated.
This recipe took about 20 minutes to cook and 10 minutes to prepare the ingredients. It can feed four (4) but can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
Additional Tips for a great Pancit Canton
- Dry Pancit Canton noodles tend to soak up a lot of liquid. It will also continue absorbing the liquids even after cooking. So be sure to have it saucy and add more water while cooking if needed.
- Try not to overcook your vegetables so they will not get soggy. Remove them from the liquids while they are still crisp or only half-cooked. They will go on cooking from the remainder of the heat and when they are added back in the last part.
- I suggest doing all the cutting and chopping before you start and have the seasoning and tools at arm's length as the cooking process goes rather quickly. We do not want burnt meat or soggy vegetables, do we?
- Make sure to cut all the protein and vegetables in a consistent size, I recommend smaller pieces to encourage quick and even cooking.
- Adding a thickener like cornstarch or rice flour will make it easier for the sauce to cling to the noodles.
- You can replace the squid balls with hard-boiled quail eggs or simply add them to make it more special.
- I used celery for this recipe but if you want a milder flavor, replace it with parsley.
- If snow peas are not available, you may also use green beans.
- You may also add shitake mushrooms, broccoli, and kikiam.
Other Stir-Fry Noodles and Filipino Pasta to try
- Pancit Guisado - a Filipino stir-fry noodle using vermicelli
- Pancit Palabok - Rice noodles with a thick yellow savory sauce
- Chicken Chow Mein - classic stir-fried egg noodle
- Chow Fun - vegetable stir-fried rice noodle
- Aligue Pasta - Fussili pasta with Filipino flare
Printable Recipe
Pancit Canton
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 12 pieces squid balls - (optional) cut into halves
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 medium onion - chopped
- 100 grams (3 pieces) chicken liver - (optional) cut into small pieces
- 150 grams chicken breast fillet - cut into small pieces
- 10 pieces shrimps - (optional) shells and head removed
- 1 piece chinese sausage - (optional) sliced diagonally
- 1 big carrot - julienned
- 1 big bell pepper - julienned
- 1 cup snow peas (chicharo) - ends trimmed
- 1 stalk celery or parsley - (optional) chopped
- ½ small cabbage - cut into 8 parts
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth - see Note 1
- ½ - 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1- 1 ½ cup water
- 250 grams pancit canton noodles
- salt as needed
Instructions
- In a wok or large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Fry the squid balls until cooked and lightly browned. Remove from oil and set aside.
- On the same oil, saute garlic and onion until limp and aromatic.
- Add chicken meat and cook until no longer pink. Add the chicken liver and cook until almost done. Add shrimps and cook until no longer pink. Toss in the Chinese sausage slices and cook for half a minute.
- Lower heat to low. Pour in soy sauce and oyster sauce and stir until well blended. Add the carrots, bell pepper, and snow peas and celery and mix. Cook for about a minute.
- Turn up the heat to high and pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Once it simmers, stir in cabbage and cook for a few seconds.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove and transfer all the solid ingredients in a bowl leaving only the liquids in the wok. Lower heat to medium. (See Note 2)
- Add ground pepper to the liquids. Dissolve the cornstarch in 1 cup of water and add this to the wok and bring to simmer.
- Add the noodles and slowly and gently try to push it down to the liquid so it can seep in the flavor. Stir from time until the noodles are almost cooked. You may need to add more water if it dries up and the
- Add back the meat and vegetables and the squid balls. Season with salt as needed. Stir several times to combine and then turn off the heat.
Notes
Nutrition
Lily S. says
Thanks for sharing this recipe. My sister said it’s better than the one we buy at Resto. I used nearly 2cups of chicken broth as the noodles absorbed much of the liquid.
Bebs says
Yes, some noodles tend to absorb more liquid than others. I am happy that you like this recipe, it was from my mama.
Maudy says
The BEST pancit canton recipe I have tried!! This is a keeper!!! Thanks so much for sharing!! More power!!
Bebs says
That is so great of you to say, Maudy and it is my pleasure!
Mae says
Cooked this tonight. Everyone loved it. Thanks! 😊
Bebs says
That is great, mae. Thanks for your wonderful comment.
KC SANTOS says
Always has the best recipe! Thank you! Tastes so goooodddd
Bebs says
So nice of you to say that, KC!
Vanessa says
This is yummy!💕 Didnt have to add salt in the end.
Rachel says
I made pansit for the first time and tried this recipe. It has become our favorite! My local grocery store didn't have squidballs available so I substituted it with kikiam. I also omitted the chicken liver since we don't like liver. Will be making it again next week!
Bebs says
Hi Rachel, thanks for your comment and I glad that you like our recipe.
Cory & Arnold says
We’re Filipino-Canadian living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and love FOOD especially Filipino cuisine!
Will try your Pansit Canton , looks YUMMY!!!
Thanks.
Bebs says
Hope you guys like it! 😘