Pancit Bihon Recipe (Stir-Fried Rice Noodles)
Pancit Bihon (Pancit Bihon Guisado) is a classic Filipino stir-fried rice noodle dish packed with tender chicken, pork, juicy shrimp, crisp vegetables, and savory aromatics. A staple at birthday parties, holidays, and family reunions, this iconic noodle dish symbolizes long life, good health, and prosperity in Pinoy culture.
What is Pancit Bihon?
Pancit refers to noodles in Filipino cuisine, introduced centuries ago through Chinese-Filipino trade. Pancit Bihon Guisado features thin rice vermicelli noodles (bihon) cooked by tossing them directly into a simmering, seasoned broth loaded with sautéed meat, seafood, and colorful vegetables. As the delicate rice noodles absorb the savory broth, they become tender, glossy, and loaded with flavor in every bite.Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Soak the dried rice vermicelli noodles (bihon) in a large bowl of room-temperature water for 8 to 10 minutes to soften slightly. Drain well and set aside.
- Heat cooking oil in a large wok or deep wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork belly strips and render for 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Add the peeled shrimp and sauté for 2 minutes until they turn pink. Remove the shrimp from the wok and set aside to keep them tender.
- In the same wok with the remaining fat, add the minced garlic and diced onions. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Add the shredded chicken, soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce (patis), and black pepper. Stir-fry for 2 minutes to coat the meat with seasonings.
- Add the carrots, snow peas, bell pepper, and shredded cabbage. Stir-fry for 3 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Transfer half of the cooked vegetables to a plate for topping later.
- Pour in 3 cups of reserved chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Add the drained bihon noodles into the boiling broth. Using tongs or two wooden spoons, continuously toss and lift the noodles so they absorb the liquid evenly.
- If the noodles need more moisture before softening completely, pour in the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth. Continue tossing until the noodles are fully cooked, soft, and all liquid is absorbed.
- Toss in the cooked shrimp and the rest of the sautéed vegetables. Stir-fry for another 1 to 2 minutes until heated through.
- Transfer to a large platter, garnish with chop
Notes
🌿 Health & Nutritional Benefits of Pancit Bihon
Enjoying a hearty serving of Pancit Bihon delivers a balanced mix of macro- and micronutrients:- Naturally Gluten-Free Carbohydrates: Made from rice flour, bihon noodles are naturally gluten-free, providing clean, easy-to-digest energy for active lifestyles.
- Lean High-Protein Variety: Combining chicken, pork, and shrimp delivers a complete amino acid profile necessary for muscle repair, metabolic support, and sustained satiety.
- Rich in Fiber & Antioxidants from Mixed Veggies: Loaded with carrots, cabbage, and snow peas, this dish provides essential Vitamin A, Vitamin C, dietary fiber, and cellular antioxidants for digestive and immune health.
- Low Saturated Fat Base: Stir-frying with light vegetable oil and fresh broths ensures a lower saturated fat content compared to heavy cream- or cheese-based noodle dishes.
Key Ingredients & Cooking Tips
- Soaking the Bihon Noodles: Do not soak bihon in hot water, as it can make the noodles mushy. A short soak in room-temperature water is all you need to make them pliable before tossing into the broth.
- Rich Homemade Broth: The flavor of Pancit Bihon relies heavily on the broth. Boiling chicken pieces with onions, garlic, and a pinch of salt creates a rich liquid base for the noodles to absorb.
- Don’t Overcook the Veggies: Stir-fry the vegetables quickly on medium-high heat so they stay bright green and crisp. Removing half the veggies before adding the noodles ensures your final presentation looks fresh and colorful.
- Always Serve with Calamansi: Squeezing fresh calamansi (or lemon) juice over the warm noodles cuts through the savory soy-oyster sauce base and elevates all the flavors.
📊 Complete Nutritional Profile
Here is the breakdown per serving of Pancit Bihon:- Calories: 310 kcal
- Total Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Dietary Fiber: 4 g
- Sugars: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Potassium: 380 mg
- Vitamin A: 50% DV
- Vitamin C: 40% D.
