Pancit Malabon: A Yummy Seafood Noodle Party from Malabon
Imagine walking through a busy fish market in Malabon, Philippines. Boats bring in fresh shrimp and squid. At a big family party nearby, everyone’s eating Pancit Malabon, a super yummy noodle dish from Amber’s Menu. It’s loaded with thick rice noodles, seafood, and tasty toppings like crispy pork and boiled eggs. you can make it at home in about an hour! Let’s learn why it’s special and how to cook it.
Amber serving Prices:
| Serving Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Order: | ₱ 60.00 |
| 3-5 Persons: | ₱ 370.00 |
| 6-10 Persons: | ₱ 620.00 |
| 11-15 Persons: | ₱ 730.00 |
| 16-20 Persons: | ₱ 840.00 |
| 21-25 Persons: | ₱ 950.00 |
A Dish Born by the Sea
Pancit Malabon comes from Malabon, a city near the sea in Metro Manila. Because Malabon has lots of fish and seafood, this dish is packed with shrimp, squid, and smoked fish flakes called tinapa. It’s different from other Filipino noodle dishes like Pancit Palabok because it uses thick rice noodles and a thick, orange sauce made with shrimp and achuete (a red seed that makes things colorful). In the Philippines, noodles mean “long life,” so Pancit Malabon is a star at birthdays and big parties.
Recipe of pancit malabon
This recipe feeds 8 people. To make it your own, you can change things, like using different seafood or skipping pork.
Ingredients:
- Noodles: 2 pounds (1 kilo) thick rice noodles
- Sauce:
- 6 tablespoons achuete oil (make it by mixing 2 tablespoons achuete powder with 6 tablespoons warm cooking oil)
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) shrimp stock (water from boiling shrimp)
- 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped tiny pieces
- Salt and pepper, a little bit
- Toppings:
- 2 cups Napa cabbage, chopped
- ½ pound (227 grams) pork belly, cut into small pieces
- 1 ½ cups (340 grams) shrimp, with heads
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
- ½ cup spring onions, chopped
- 4 tablespoons fried garlic bits
- 1 cup smoked tinapa flakes (optional)
- 1 cup crushed chicharon (pork cracklings, optional)
- 4–6 calamansi, sliced (or lemon wedges)
How to Get Ready
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Servings: 8
Steps to Cook the Noodles
- Soak Noodles: Put rice noodles in a big bowl of water overnight to make them soft. If you have quick-cooking noodles, follow the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Cabbage: Boil 2 cups of water in a small pot. Add Napa cabbage and cook for 30 seconds. Take it out with a spoon, put it in cold water, then drain and set aside.
- Cook Pork: Put pork belly pieces in a pan on medium heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring sometimes, until crispy and brown. Take out and put on paper towels.
- Cook Shrimp: Boil 1 cup of water in a pot. Add shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes until pink. Take them out, peel them, and save the water for the sauce.
- Cook Tinapa (Optional): Put 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan on medium heat. Add tinapa flakes and cook for 1-2 minutes until light brown. Take out and set aside.
Steps to Make the Sauce
- Mix Flour: In a bowl, mix 1 cup flour with 1 cup water until smooth. Set aside.
- Make Shrimp Stock: Chop shrimp heads and put them in a pot with 6 cups of water and the water from boiling shrimp. Boil, then lower the heat and cook for 10 minutes. Strain to get clear stock.
- Cook Sauce: Put a big pan on medium heat and add 6 tablespoons of achuete oil. Add chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute until it smells good. Pour in shrimp stock and boil.
- Thicken Sauce: Add the flour-water mix, 2 tablespoons fish sauce, and a little salt and pepper. Stir for 5 minutes until thick. Turn off the heat.
Delecious recipe of Garlic Fried Rice
Put It All Together
- Mix Noodles and Sauce: Put noodles in a big bowl. Pour the sauce over them and mix gently. Add cabbage, tinapa flakes, and crushed chicharon, and toss again.
- Add Toppings: Put the noodles on a big plate. Add shrimp, pork, egg slices, spring onions, and fried garlic on top.
- Serve: Serve with calamansi slices to squeeze for extra flavor. Eat it hot!
Tips to Make It Perfect
- Soak Noodles Right: Don’t soak too long, or they’ll get mushy. Overnight is best for thick noodles.
- Use Fresh Shrimp: Fresh shrimp make the sauce taste better than frozen ones.
- Stir Gently: Mix noodles carefully so they don’t break.
- Taste the Sauce: Try it before mixing to make sure it’s not too salty.
- Fry Garlic Fast: Cook garlic bits until golden, not burnt, for a yummy crunch.
Different Ways to Change this recipe
- No Seafood: Use chicken or tofu instead of shrimp and tinapa for a different taste.
- Veggie Boost: Add green beans or bean sprouts for more crunch.
- Spicy Kick: Sprinkle chili flakes on top for some heat.
- No Pork: Skip pork belly and use more shrimp or squid.
How Healthy Is It ( Nutritional profile) ?
Here’s what’s in one serving (about 1 cup):
- Calories: 416 calories (energy for your body)
- Fat: 20 grams (oily stuff from pork and oil)
- Carbohydrates: 46 grams (gives you energy)
- Protein: 15 grams (makes you strong)
- Sodium: 800 milligrams (salt from fish sauce and stock)
- Fiber: 3 grams (good for your tummy)
- Sugar: 2 grams (a little from veggies)
For a big tray (21-25 people), it’s about 4100-5200 calories total.
How to Save Leftovers
- Fridge: Put leftovers in a container with a lid and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a pan with a splash of water or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
- Don’t Freeze: The noodles might get soggy, so it’s better to eat fresh.
Why It’s a Party Star?
Pancit Malabon isn’t just food, it’s a celebration! In Malabon, families make it to festivals, birthdays, and holidays because it’s colorful and full of seafood. At Amber’s Menu, they make it extra tasty with fresh ingredients. You can even add squid or mussels to make it fancier!
conclusion
Pancit Malabon is a super fun Filipino dish that brings everyone together with its thick noodles and seafood goodies. It’s easy to make and perfect for any party or family meal. Try it at home and share your dish with #AmbersMenuPancit! Want more yummy ideas? Check out Amber’s Menu for Sotanghon-Canton Guisado, Creamy Carbonara, or Pork Siopao.
