Pancit Bihon
🌿 Healthy Option
350 calories or less, 15g fat or less, at least 15g protein, and 10g sugar or less per serving.
The noodle dish most Filipino families know by heart — thin rice noodles stir-fried with chicken, shrimp, and vegetables, seasoned simply so the noodles do the talking.
By: Andrew Arcangel | Last Updated: September 27, 2026
In Filipino culture, pancit is traditionally served at birthdays for good luck — the long noodles are said to represent a long life, so tradition says you shouldn't cut them before serving. This version keeps things approachable for a weeknight, while staying true to how it's made in most Filipino households.
What makes Pancit Bihon different
Bihon noodles are made from rice flour, which makes this dish naturally gluten-free at the noodle level (check your soy sauce if that matters to you). Unlike Pancit Canton, which uses wheat noodles and has a heavier bite, bihon noodles are thin and light — they absorb broth rather than sauce, so the finished dish is drier and more delicate than canton or palabok.
Ingredients
- 8 oz dried rice stick noodles (bihon), soaked in warm water
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 lb boneless chicken thigh, thinly sliced
- 1/2 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup julienned carrots
- 1 cup snow peas or green beans, trimmed
- 3 cups chicken broth, divided
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (patis), optional
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Calamansi or lemon wedges, for serving
- Chopped scallions, for garnish
No bihon on hand? Rice vermicelli works. Skip the fish sauce entirely if you prefer — just add a splash more soy sauce.
Instructions
- Soak the noodles. Place bihon noodles in a large bowl of warm water for 10–15 minutes until pliable but still firm. Drain well. Don't skip this — noodles that go into the pan too stiff will clump. You'll need 8 oz dried rice stick noodles
- Sauté the aromatics. Heat oil in a large wok over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, cooking until fragrant, 1–2 minutes. You'll need 2 tbsp cooking oil3 cloves garlic1 small onion
- Cook the protein. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink, about 4–5 minutes. Add shrimp and cook just until opaque, 2 more minutes. Remove and set aside. You'll need 1/2 lb medium shrimp
- Cook the vegetables. In the same pan, stir-fry carrots and cabbage 2–3 minutes until just softening. Add snow peas in the last minute. You'll need 2 cups shredded green cabbage1 cup julienned carrots1 cup snow peas
- Build the broth. Push vegetables aside, pour in 2 cups of broth, soy sauce, and fish sauce if using. Bring to a simmer. You'll need 3 cups chicken broth3 tbsp soy sauce1 tbsp fish sauce
- Add the noodles. Add drained noodles, tossing gently to coat. Add remaining broth gradually as the noodles absorb the liquid, 5–7 minutes. Avoid over-stirring, which breaks the noodles. You'll need 8 oz dried rice stick noodlesremaining chicken broth
- Finish. Return chicken and shrimp to the pan, toss together, and season with black pepper. You'll need 1/2 lb medium shrimpfreshly ground black pepper
- Serve. Transfer to a platter, garnish with scallions, and serve with calamansi or lemon wedges. You'll need calamansichopped scallions
Tips & variations
- Protein swaps: pork, Chinese sausage (longganisa), or tofu all work well in place of chicken.
- Smokier flavor: some households add a splash of canned tinapa (smoked fish) liquid instead of plain broth.
Nutrition estimated per serving
- 320Calories
- 16gProtein
- 11gFat
- 38gCarbs
- 3gSugar
Estimated automatically from this recipe's ingredients; actual values will vary based on brands and exact quantities used.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pancit Bihon gluten-free?
The rice noodles themselves are gluten-free, but standard soy sauce contains wheat. Use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce if that matters for you.
Why is Pancit Bihon served at birthdays?
In Filipino tradition, the long noodles symbolize long life, so it's considered good luck to eat pancit on your birthday — and bad luck to cut the noodles before serving.
Can I make Pancit Bihon vegetarian?
Yes — swap chicken broth for vegetable broth, skip the fish sauce and shrimp, and add extra vegetables or tofu for protein.
What's the difference between Pancit Bihon and Pancit Canton?
Bihon uses thin rice noodles and a lighter, broth-based finish; Canton uses thicker wheat noodles and a heavier, glossier sauce. See the Pancit Canton recipe →
Pairs well with
Lumpia Shanghai
Thin, crispy spring rolls packed with seasoned ground pork.
Puto
Soft, fluffy steamed rice cakes, the classic side to pancit.
Leche Flan
Silky steamed egg custard set in liquid caramel.
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