How to Cook Pancit Habhab
Pancit habhab is a flavorful stir-fried noodle dish from Lucban, Quezon, traditionally served on banana leaves and enjoyed without utensils for an authentic experience.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time35 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Noodles
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: chicken pastil panlasang pinoy, Filipino recipe, pancit habhab, pancit recipe, stir fried noodles
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 216kcal
Author: Manny
- 500 grams Lucban miki noodles
- 1/4 kilo pork belly
- 200 grams pork liver optional
- 1 pc carrot julienned
- 1 pc chayote sliced into large strips
- 2 bunches pechay chopped
- 1 pc onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups pork broth
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp. cooking oil
- 2 pcs onion sliced into rings (for garnishing)
How to cook Pancit Habhab:
Season with salt and pepper and boil the pork belly in 6 to 7 cups water until the pork is tender. Drain the pork and slice thinly then set aside. Reserve the pork broth or later use.
In a medium size wok, heat some oil and saute the chayote for half a minute. Then add the carrots and pechay. Saute until the vegetables are half cooked. Remove from the wok and set aside.
In the same wok, heat some oil and saute garlic and onion until onions are soft. Add the pork and saute until slightly brown and some of the fat have rendered. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the pork liver and saute for a few minutes until the liver is slightly brown. Pour the pork broth, soy sauce and bring to a boil.
Simmer until the pork is tender. Then add the miki noodles and simmer. Stir the noodles until it absorbed most of the broth and the noodles are cooked.
Turn off heat and mix the vegetables on the noodles. Stir until the veggies are evenly distributed. You can also divide the veggies and mix only half on the noodles and the remaining is garnish it on individual servings. Serve it using banana leaves instead of plates and garnish with sliced onion rings on individual servings.
Cooking Tips:
Use Fresh Lucban Miki for Authentic Flavor
The unique taste and texture come from Lucban miki, fresh noodles made locally in Quezon. If you’re lucky enough to find these noodles, make sure they are freshly made to retain their chewy and slightly springy texture. If you can’t find Lucban miki, use fresh egg noodles as a substitute, but keep in mind that the flavor won’t be exactly the same.
Don’t Overcook the Vegetables
The vibrant vegetables such as chayote, carrots, and pechay, add both flavor and crunch. Sauté them just until they are half-cooked to preserve their natural sweetness and crisp texture. Overcooked vegetables can become mushy and lose their color, so remove them from the wok early and add them back at the end for a perfect balance.
Simmer the Noodles for Full Flavor Absorption
Letting the noodles simmer in the pork broth ensures they soak up all the rich, savory flavors. Stir gently but frequently to prevent the noodles from sticking together and to distribute the broth evenly. This step is crucial for achieving that signature taste and aroma that makes it a standout dish.