MALABON FOR THE WIN Nanay's Pancit Malabon is a must-try for anyone craving noodles

Noodles, I cannot resist, Asian noodles in particular.

Even when I’m on a strict diet, when breakfast in Japan has noodles, I cannot resist. For sure, sira diet ko. I love the various flavors, textures, and simplicity in them. Phad thai in Thailand, mi goreng and char kway teow in Malaysia, pho or bun cha in Vietnam. I love anything noodles when prepared properly, of course.

Back home, we have pancit lang lang from 3 Kids of Lipa, chicken sotanghon guisado from Perfect Loaf in Angeles City, black pancit from our very own Casa Daza, and of course, spaghetti of Pancake House, Ambers, and Jollibee. Pancit palabok of Red Ribbon was also a winner, but lately I’ve been dreaming of pancit Malabon.

Many years back, I joined a food tour in Malabaon organized by the wife of Mayor Antolin Oreta III, Melisa Sison. We went on a tricycle tour and visited five dining places around the city. I remember a lugaw place, which was very good, a crispy pata place, which was ordinary, a bakery, and a marketplace. Interesting, I thought. But what made a mark in my memory was a pancit Malabon by the name of Nanay’s.

Oh my! This I will never forget. It was perfection in a pancit. It was most flavorful, full of slices of hard-boiled eggs and lots of shrimps. It was also perfectly seasoned. Usually, we have calamansi and patis on the side, but this one needed none of both. Instead of chicharon as topping, it had Kropek. Saraaaap! In Malabon, this is eaten either with puto or a snack called kamachile.

A dear friend, Alma Curato, works at Arellano University. She would occasionally send some Nanay’s pancit Malabon to the house. It is always a constant hit. In any potluck, bring this and you’ll get praised. Twice, I brought this to our fraternity reunions and it was a hit, the first to vanish. The first time I bought it, it got so many raves that my brod Gerard Alo requested it again for our next reunion a few weeks later. There’s about 30 of us in the group and I knew it would be the favorite, so I ordered enough for 40. As I expected, everyone zeroed in on it. I love it when what I bring to a potluck is enjoyed by most. I can’t wait for my family to try this again.

If there were an Asian noodle competition, this would be my entry. It’s that good. A must-try! Just writing about it makes me crave it. Call Nanay’s Pancit Malabon at (02) 8281 0449 or 0917 720 5187.
Happy eating!