Palabok-Style Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Pork Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant Filipino noodle dish featuring rice noodles bathed in a savory shrimp and pork sauce adorned with smoked fish and crunchy chicharron. This filipino-inspired filipino ready in about 40 minutes pairs rice noodles (bihon), medium, peeled and deveined shrimp, ground pork for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.3 (12 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Filipino cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Soak 200 g rice noodles in warm water for 15 minutes until pliable, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a small saucepan, soak 1 tbsp annatto seeds in 1/4 cup hot oil for 5 minutes until oil is red-orange, then strain and reserve the annatto oil.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp annatto oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion for 3 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 100 g ground pork and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it up until browned.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 12 peeled and deveined shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink.
  6. Step 6: Pour in 3 cups shrimp broth and 2 tbsp fish sauce; bring to a boil.
  7. Step 7: Slowly add the cornstarch slurry (2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 3 tbsp water) while stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes.
  8. Step 8: Arrange the softened rice noodles on a serving platter, then pour the thickened shrimp-pork sauce evenly over the noodles.
  9. Step 9: Garnish with 2 sliced hard-boiled eggs, 1/4 cup smoked fish flakes, 1/3 cup crushed chicharron, and 2 thinly sliced scallions.
  10. Step 10: Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Palabok-Style Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Pork Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Palabok-Style Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Pork Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rice noodles (bihon) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Palabok-Style Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Pork Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Palabok-Style Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Pork Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Palabok-Style Rice Noodles with Shrimp and Pork Sauce?

Filipino filipino like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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