Quick Vegetarian Pancit Canton
A vibrant stir-fried noodle dish with crispy chow mein noodles, vegetables, and savory sauce — ready in under 20 minutes. This Filipino classic is fast, satisfying, and perfectly suited to weeknight dinners.
- Total time
- 18 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 420
- Protein
- 8g
Ingredients
- 3 cups chow mein noodles (or crispy fried noodles)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups cabbage, sliced into thin ribbons crosswise
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks lengthwise
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced until pieces are pencil-tip sized
Instructions
- 1
Slice the cabbage lengthwise from root to tip, then rotate 90 degrees and slice crosswise into thin ribbons about 1/8-inch wide, similar to cutting coleslaw.
- 2
Peel the carrot with a vegetable peeler, then use the peeler to shave thin ribbons lengthwise along the carrot's length; stack these ribbons and cut them into thin matchsticks about 1/8-inch wide.
- 3
Mince the garlic by placing the flat side of a knife on top and pressing down to crack the clove, then chop finely until the pieces are smaller than a grain of rice.
- 4
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it shimmers and slides quickly when you tilt the pan, about 60 seconds.
- 5
Pour the minced garlic into the hot oil and stir constantly for 30 seconds until the kitchen smells strongly of garlic and the garlic pieces are just turning light golden.
- 6
Add the sliced cabbage to the pan and stir constantly for about 3 minutes until the cabbage becomes soft and slightly transparent, with the edges beginning to look lighter.
- 7
Add the carrot matchsticks to the pan and stir constantly for 2 minutes until the carrot pieces are slightly tender but still have a light snap when you bite one.
- 8
Crumble the chow mein noodles by hand into the pan, breaking them into pieces roughly the size of a grape; stir constantly for 1 minute until the noodles are lightly coated with oil.
- 9
Pour 3 tablespoons of soy sauce evenly over the noodles and vegetables, then stir constantly for 2 minutes until the noodles have absorbed the sauce and everything is glossy and well combined.
- 10
Divide the pancit canton into two bowls or plates and serve immediately while the noodles are still warm and crispy.
Tools you’ll need
- 14-inch wok or large skillet
- wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- vegetable peeler
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