Pancit is a classic Filipino noodle dish that is often served at celebrations, parties and special occasions, and it is a Filipino noodle dish that is full of flavor and packed with ingredients like cabbage, carrots, and pork.
It’s easy to make, full of flavor and can be taken as a main course or side dish.
But no matter how you serve it, the key to making an amazing pancit meal is all in the sides! What should you serve with pancit?
Let’s explore some of the most creative and delicious side dishes with me to make your next pancit meal a hit.
A Quick solution for what to serve with pancit - Fried Garlicky Eggplant, Grilled Asparagus, Garlic Butter Mushrooms, Bacon Wrapped Green Beans, Mango Salsa, Fried Eggplant, Stir-Fried Bok Choy, Mango Salad, Lumpia, Adobo, Kaldereta, Lechon Kawali, Tokwa't Baboy, Sisig, Sinigang, Crispy Pata, Kare Kare, Inasal, Embutido, Dinuguan, Sarsa ng Lechong Manok, Pinakbet.
What is a pancit, and what does a pancit taste like?
Pancit is a Filipino dish that consists of stir-fried noodles, vegetables, and meat or seafood. The most common type is pancit canton, which is made with thick egg noodles.
Other variations include bihon (thin rice noodles) and sotanghon (cellophane noodles).
The flavor of pancit can vary depending on the ingredients used; however, it generally has a sweet and savory taste from its seasonings, such as soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, onion, and pepper.
It is often accompanied by kalamansi (a citrus fruit similar to lime), vinegar, calamansi juice, or patis (fish sauce).
Additionally, atatamis (sugar) may be added to give the dish even more sweetness.
Pancit is a comfort food and is often served during special occasions or gatherings because of its delicious flavor.
Pancit can be enjoyed both hot and cold, though it is most often served warm.
It can also be customized according to one’s preferences; for example, some people like to add extra vegetables or substitute pork with chicken, beef, or seafood.
There are many different ways to prepare pancit; however, all versions are sure to provide a tasty dish for any occasion!
Best side dishes to serve with pancit
Pancit, a traditional Filipino noodle dish, is often enjoyed with a variety of foods that bring out the flavor and texture of the dish. Here are some of the delicious sides to pair with pancit:
1. Fried Garlicky Eggplant
Eggplant slices are lightly battered in garlic-infused oil for an incredibly flavorful side dish. This versatile veggie pairs perfectly with your pancit for an unforgettable meal.
2. Grilled Asparagus
You can try Grilled asparagus, which adds a fresh crunchy element to your meal that compliments the savory flavors of pancit noodles.
Serve this simple yet delicious side dish with a sprinkle of lemon juice for added zing!
3. Garlic Butter Mushrooms
Nothing beats the classic combination of garlic butter and mushrooms! These tasty bites are perfect when paired with pancit because they bring out the earthy flavors in both dishes.
4. Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
For something totally unique, you can try wrapping green beans in bacon strips before cooking them on the stovetop or grilling them over an open flame.
The salty bacon pairs perfectly with the savory noodles for a truly unforgettable meal!
5. Mango Salsa
Sweet mango salsa is a fantastic way to add some tropical flavor to your pancakes. The sweet-and-sour combination will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more!
6. Fried Eggplant
Fried eggplant is a great side dish for pancit! This simple yet flavorful recipe only calls for a few ingredients like eggplant, garlic, and oil—all of which can be found in most grocery stores.
The eggplant slices are fried until golden brown, then you seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper for an added kick of flavor.
This tasty side dish pairs perfectly with the savory notes of pancit.
7. Stir-Fried Bok Choy
If you’re searching for something a bit healthier to go with your pancit, try stir-frying some bok choy!
Bok choy has a mild flavor that won’t overpower the delicate flavors of the noodles.
You can easily create this delicious side dish by sautéing the bok choy in olive oil and seasonings like garlic powder, ginger powder, chili flakes, sugar, fish sauce and soy sauce.
Serve it alongside your pancit for an easy but delicious meal!
8. Mango Salad
For a sweet contrast to your savory noodles, try making an easy mango salad!
You just simply combine ripe mangoes with red onions and cilantro before tossing everything together with a simple vinaigrette made of olive oil, apple cider vinegar or lime juice, honey or agave nectar (if desired), salt and pepper.
The combination of sweet mangoes and the tangy vinaigrette will complement the flavors in your pancit perfectly!
9. Lumpia
This deep-fried spring roll is filled with pork, shrimp, and vegetables, making it the perfect addition to a plate of pancit.
The crunchy texture contrasts nicely with the soft noodles while providing an extra layer of flavor.
10. Adobo
This popular Filipino dish made from pork or chicken marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and other spices pairs wonderfully with pancit.
The salty and tangy flavors make for a tasty combination with the mild taste of your noodles.
11. Kaldereta
This beef stew is cooked in tomato sauce with carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, onions and various spices for a rich and hearty meal that goes great alongside pancit. So, try it and enjoy it with your family.
12. Lechon Kawali
This crispy fried pork belly is served as an appetizer but also tastes great when paired with pancakes or noodles like pancit bihon or canton-style stir-fry noodles.
Its crunchy texture compliments well with the softness of the noodle dish while adding more umami flavors to the mix.
13. Tokwa’t Baboy
One of my favorites, this Filipino appetizer made from fried tofu cubes and boiled pig ears, is perfect for pairing up with different types of pancakes.
Or noodles like pancit bihon or canton-style stir fry noodles thanks to their savory flavor and crunchy texture contrasting nicely against the softness of noodles.
14. Sisig
Sisig is usually served as an appetizer but can be turned into a main meal when paired up with pancit bihon or canton-style stir fry noodles for added protein and flavor contrast against these dishes’ milder taste profiles.
15. Sinigang
A sour soup made from tamarind base that comes in many variations such as fish sinigang (fish version), sinigang na baboy (pork version) and sinigang na hipon (shrimp version).
Its savory, sour flavor pairs perfectly well against any type of noodle dish such as Pancit Bihon or Canton- You can try style stir fry noodles for a more complex flavor profile without being too overpowering on tastebuds.
16. Crispy Pata
A big hunk of deep-fried pork leg that’s usually you can be served during special occasions such as birthdays, fiestas etc.
Its crunchiness works really well against Pancit Bihon’s tender texture, creating a balance between these two vastly different dishes.
17. Kare Kare
Must try this thick stew which consists mainly of oxtail, tripe, eggplants, green beans, banana heart & peanut butter sauce, which makes up its signature flavorful broth.
Kare kare’s nutty flavor & creamy broth gives Pancake Bihon an extra level of depth & richness that would definitely make this classic combo stand out among other Philippine favorites.
18 . Inasal
Grilled chicken marinated in citrus juice & spices is usually enjoyed either as an entree by itself or on top & around Pancake Bihon, giving it an extra burst of smoky flavor & aroma that might just take your palate by surprise!
19. Puto Pao
This famous dimsum snack food consists of steamed rice flour muffins stuffed with ingredients like pulled pork adobo, shredded cheese, chorizo & salted duck eggs.
And that makes them ideal companions to Pancake Bihon as they provide your dish a unique textures & flavors not found anywhere else!
20. Embutido
Another typical party food in the Philippines is known for its distinct tubular shape filled w/ ground meat, cheese & veggies.
Then you can be wrapped in foil before going into the oven to cook, creating yet another interesting contrast between its hard crusty outside & soft, moist inside when eaten together w/ Pancakke Bihon!
21 . Dinuguan
One cannot talk about Filipino cuisine without mentioning this ultimate comfort food staple made from pig’s blood mixed w/ various spices creating one unique concoction that would surely jump-start your appetite, especially when you eat it alongside Pancake Bihon!
22. Sarsa ng Lechong Manok
This delicious sauce made from roasted coconut cream transforms any boring plate into something spectacularly tasty!
The perfect way to elevate your ordinary plateful of Pancake Bihon into something truly memorable!
23. Pinakbet
Last but certainly not least, we have this famous vegetable stew composed mainly of okra, squash, tomatoes, eggplants etc.
All cooked together in shrimp paste, giving it both sweetness & saltiness at the same time, which makes it a wonderful accompaniment against plainer-tasting noodle dishes like Pancake Bihon!
What are the best flavors to go with pancit?
When it comes to the best flavors to go with pancit, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The type of pancit (or noodles) used will dictate what goes well with it.
Generally speaking, most traditional Filipino dishes that use pancit rely on garlic, onions, soy sauce, vinegar and black pepper for flavoring.
Other popular ingredients used as accompaniments include pork, shrimp and vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers and cabbage.
Some recipes also call for a bit of sugar or sweetness to balance out the savory flavors.
For a more interesting twist on this classic dish, you can try incorporating lemongrass or even chili paste for an extra kick of heat!
Whatever ingredients you decide to use in your pancit, adding a flavorful combination of seasonings will elevate the dish and make it delicious. Enjoy!
How do you jazz up pancit?
One way to jazz up pancit is to add a variety of vegetables. For example, you can add mushrooms, carrots, bell peppers, and onions for an extra burst of flavor and crunch.
To really give your pancit some zing, try adding some spicy ingredients like jalapenos or chili flakes.
You can also experiment with different kinds of sauces like oyster sauce or fish sauce to give the dish added depth of flavor.
Finally, you can top off your pancit with crunchy toppings like crushed peanuts or cashews for a nice contrast in texture.
With just a few simple additions, you’ll have an exciting version of this traditional Filipino noodle dish that’s sure to be a hit!
How should pancit be served?
Pancit can be served in a variety of ways. Traditionally it is served on banana leaves, which adds an earthy flavor to the dish.
It can also be served in individual portions, with each person having their own bowl or plate.
For larger gatherings, it is often served family-style, with everyone sharing from one large plate or platter.
Toppings such as chopped spring onions, crushed garlic, sliced hard-boiled eggs and calamansi (small citrus fruit) are popular additions that add extra flavor and texture to the dish.
Pancit is usually accompanied by soy sauce for dipping and a variety of condiments such as chili oil, fish sauce and vinegar for those who like additional spice and tanginess.
Wrap up on what to serve with pancit
With these creative sides to serve alongside pancakes, you can take your meal from basic to extraordinary in no time at all!
Whether you opt for fried eggplant or stir-fried bok choy or mango salad—or all three—you’ll have an amazing meal that’s sure to please any crowd.
So next time you’re preparing pancakes for dinner (or lunch!), don’t forget about these delicious sides to complete the perfect meal!
Happy cooking!
FAQs on what to serve with pancit
Q1. Do the Philippines have side dishes?
Yes, the Philippines has a variety of side dishes.
Some popular Filipino side dishes include sinigang (sour soup), laing (taro leaves cooked in coconut milk), ginataan (vegetables cooked in coconut milk), ensalada (Filipino-style salad made with cucumber, tomatoes, and onions), tortang talong (eggplant omelet) and pinakbet (mixed vegetables stewed in shrimp paste).
Other classic Filipino side dishes include pancit noodles, kare-kare (peanut stew), adobong pusit (squid cooked in vinegar and garlic) and lumpiang sariwa (fresh spring rolls).
These are just some of the many delicious side dishes that can be found in the Philippines. Whatever your preference is, there’s sure to be something for everyone!
Q2. How do you eat pancit?
Eating pancit is relatively easy. Start by making sure the noodles are cooked through. Boil them for about 10 minutes before draining and rinsing them with cold water to ensure that they don’t stick together.
Then, you can add your choice of vegetables, proteins, and sauces. When adding vegetables, make sure that they are softened beforehand by sautéing or steaming them. For protein, such as pork or chicken, cook it over medium heat until browned and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes).
Finally, choose a sauce like soy sauce or oyster sauce to flavor the dish. Once everything is prepared, mix all of the ingredients together in a large pan over low heat until heated through and serve! Enjoy
Q3. Is pancit served hot or cold?
Pancit is typically served hot, though it may be served cold in some cases. Pancit is most commonly stir-fried and served piping hot with a variety of sauces and condiments. Cold versions of pancit, such as Pancit Bihon or Palabok, are usually made using noodles that have been soaked overnight and then combined with various vegetables and toppings.
This type of pancit can be served either warm or chilled. In both cases, however, the dish is traditionally garnished with toasted garlic, calamansi (a small citrus fruit), and crushed pork cracklings for added flavor. Regardless of whether you serve your pancit hot or cold, it’s sure to be a delicious treat!