Pancit Habhab

Pancit Habhab is known for not using any plates or bowl. Yes you’ve seen it right no utensils! it is usually consumed in banana leaves by shaping the leaves like a half tube and slide down the pancit on one side then on to your hungry mouth.

Pancit or stir fried noodles is perhaps one of the most popular dish served in special occasions in the Philippines, it’s so popular most of the provinces have developed their own versions which features local ingredients.  Several samples of this Philippine noodle dishes are the Pancit Palabok, Pancit Sotanghon and Pancit Cabagan to name some.

If you look closely at each one them you will notice the use different cooking techniques, different type of noodles used as well as the use of different vegetable ingredients but all of them are served on a plate or a bowl and that what Pancit Habhab is known for, not using any plates or bowl.  Yes you’ve seen it right no utensils! it is usually consumed in banana leaves by shaping the leaves like a half tube and slide down the pancit on one side then on to your hungry mouth.

The serving vessel is what makes this dish unique and it is attributed to the street vendors of Lucban during the days when styrofoam and plastics are not popular, the disposable banana leaf was the hygienically ingenious way of serving this on the streets.  It also gives that distinct flavour as the hot pancit over the banana leaf would bring out the oil of the banana leaf.  So if you will try this out I suggest serve it on banana leaf to get the real authentic taste.