‘Bright and citrusy’ pancit canton lands on New York Times’ best instant noodles list
Screengrab from Lucky Me!/YouTube
A popular pancit canton brand in the Philippines has landed on the New York Times’ “Best Instant Noodles” list for 2025.
Lucky Me! Pancit Canton Kalamansi flavor has edged out other top-tier instant noodles in the citrusy ramen category, including Thailand’s widely popular Mama’s Shrimp Tom Yum Noodles.
The New York Times’ Wirecutter described the instant noodles as “bright and citrusy plus homey and comforting all at once” and praised its unique balance of soy sauce, tangy calamansi and aromatic seasoning.
Supervising editor Marilyn Ong highlighted the noodles’ addictive flavor and unique texture.
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“The dry seasoning, soy sauce and oil packets combine to produce a nuanced blend of light soy and fresh, aromatic citrus,” Ong wrote. “The noodles are skinnier and more extra-curly than even your standard cheap ramen, so they had almost a fluffy feel.”
She also noted the “near-unanimous” love for the Filipino pancit canton among the taste testers.
“Of all the noodles we’ve tested, the Pancit Canton Kalamansi disappeared from the bowl the fastest,” Ong added.
The New York Times Wirecutter team curated the Best Instant Noodles list based on insights from a panel of industry experts, including ramen reviewers, cookbook authors and ramen shop owners.
The editorial team conducted taste tests to identify the standout flavors across various categories.
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Since 1989, Lucky Me! Pancit Canton has been a household staple in the Philippines and abroad.
For many Filipinos, instant noodles have become more than just a quick meal. It’s a taste of nostalgia and a go-to comfort food for breakfast – often paired with eggs and pandesal – merienda or late-night snacks.
Meanwhile, the instant noodle industry is moving toward eco-friendly practices by using sustainably sourced ingredients and shifting to the use of biodegradable packaging.
“A global food for people, it is very important to protect consumer’s health and their quality of life through instant noodles,” Mitsuru Tanaka, managing executive officer of Japanese food giant Nissin Foods Holdings, said on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the World Instant Noodles Association summit in Taguig City.
