Filipino

Serving

Filipino Kid-friendly

Pancit Bihon

Name: Pancit Bihon
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 12 oz dried bihon (rice vermicelli noodles); 1/2 lb boneless chicken thigh, thinly sliced; 1/2 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined; 3 cups chicken broth; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 medium onion, sliced; 2 cups cabbage, shredded; 1 large carrot, julienned; 1 cup snow peas, trimmed; 2 tbsp neutral oil; 2 calamansi or 1 lemon, cut into wedges for serving

Thin rice vermicelli stir-fried with chicken, shrimp, and vegetables in a savory soy-citrus sauce, a fixture at every Filipino celebration.

45 minutes

Serves 3

Dinner/Lunch

16 min prep

25 min cook

Contains common allergens

Seafood Shellfish Soy Wheat

In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.

Instructions

6 steps

1
Soak the bihon noodles in warm water for 10 minutes until pliable but not mushy, then drain well and set aside.
2
Heat the oil in a large wok over medium-high, sauté the garlic and onion for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, then add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until no longer pink.
3
Add the shrimp and stir-fry for 2 minutes until pink, then transfer the chicken and shrimp to a plate, leaving the aromatics in the wok.
4
Pour in the chicken broth and soy sauce, bring to a simmer, then add the carrot and cook for 3 minutes before adding the cabbage and snow peas for another 2 minutes.
5
Add the drained noodles to the wok and toss continuously with tongs for 5-7 minutes, letting them absorb the liquid until tender and evenly colored.
6
Return the chicken and shrimp to the wok, toss everything together for 1-2 minutes to combine and heat through, then serve hot with calamansi wedges to squeeze over each portion.

Pancit Bihon — plated and served — Serving moment. How Pancit Bihon looks plated and ready to eat — a representative photo, not a step in the recipe.

Listahan Family Score™

67/100

Works for many families

Allergen-friendly 60

Kid-friendly 85

Weeknight-easy 64

Budget-friendly 60

Great leftovers 93

Pantry-friendly 37

Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.

Nutrition

per serving

445

Calories

48 g

Protein

23 g

Carbs

19 g

Fat

Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.

Listahan cooking guide

Chef notes & practical guide

Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.

Cultural context

Pancit Bihon is the everyday stir-fried noodle dish of thin rice vermicelli tossed with chicken, shrimp, and vegetables in a savory soy broth. Lighter than wheat-based canton, it is the most common pancit at home and a fixture at birthdays for the long-life symbolism of its noodles. It is endlessly adaptable to whatever is in the fridge.

Listahan note

This version simmers the bihon directly in seasoned broth so the noodles drink it up, then keeps the vegetables crisp by adding them near the end.

Technique cues

Let the noodles absorb the broth rather than draining, for maximum flavor.
Cook proteins first and set them aside so they do not overcook.
Finish with calamansi at the table for brightness.

Kitchen flow

Parallel prep: Cook the proteins and cut vegetables before the noodles go in.
Make-ahead: Prep everything ahead; the final toss is quick.
Leftover move: Refresh next-day pancit in a hot pan with a splash of broth.
Cleanup rhythm: One wok and a few prep bowls; deglaze after plating.

Ingredient brief

Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.

Rice vermicelli (bihon)

Base

Purpose: The thin noodles soak up the broth and stay light.

Handling: Soften briefly, then simmer in the broth, tossing often.

Adaptation: Any thin rice noodle works.

Chicken thigh

Main protein

Purpose: Adds savory depth and stays tender.

Handling: Slice thin and cook first, then reserve.

Adaptation: Pork works equally well.

Shrimp

Secondary protein

Purpose: Brings sweetness and seafood depth.

Handling: Cook just until pink and set aside.

Adaptation: Omit for a shellfish-free version.

Cabbage and carrot

Vegetables

Purpose: Add crunch and color.

Handling: Cut into thin strips and add late.

Adaptation: Snow peas or green beans work.

Technique notes

Keep the heat high so the noodles fry rather than steam.
Cook proteins separately to avoid a chewy, overcooked mix.
Stop adding broth once the noodles are tender with a little chew.

Ingredient swaps

Shellfish-free direction: Skip the shrimp and lean on chicken or pork.
Vegetarian direction: Use tofu and mushrooms with vegetable broth.
Gluten-free direction: Rice noodles are gluten-free; use tamari for the soy.

Serve alongside

Calamansi wedges
Lumpia Shanghai
Steamed white rice
Pickled vegetables
Iced tea
Calamansi soda
Cold water

Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.

Storage & reheating

Refrigerate up to 3 days in a sealed container.
Reheat in a hot pan with a splash of broth to revive the noodles.
Freezing is not recommended.

Equipment

Large wok or skillet
Tongs
Cutting board
Ladle

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