Pancit canton is the Filipino noodle dish commonly made with wheat noodles, chicken, vegetables, and soy-based seasoning. It is a stir-fried noodle dish served in homes, restaurants, and celebrations throughout the Philippines.
The name pancit comes from Hokkien, reflecting the influence of Chinese traders and immigrants on Filipino cuisine. Canton refers to the style of noodles used, which resemble Chinese wheat noodles. Typical ingredients include cabbage, carrots, green beans, meat or seafood, and a savory sauce.
Pancit canton is often served at birthdays and other celebrations because noodles are associated with long life in Filipino food traditions. There is no single universal recipe, so ingredients differ by region, household, and restaurant.
It is easy to confuse pancit canton with pancit bihon. Canton generally uses thicker wheat noodles, while bihon uses thin rice noodles. Pancit palabok is different again: it is usually topped with a rich orange shrimp-based sauce and garnishes rather than simply stir-fried.