It was by pure chance that we got to sample a relatively new pancit batil patong place in Quezon City. Coming from Tandang Sora , we alighted on a jeep at General Avenue en route back home, and by pure luck chanced upon Noa’s Diner. From its simple tarp sign, you’d assume it’s just another carinderia, but I did a double take as we passed it—I saw a sign printed on bond paper posted on their wall proclaiming they serve our favorite noodle dish in the Philippines!

THAT SMALL SIGN PRINTED ON BOND PAPER HAD US GOING INSIDE

Pancit batil patong, as you probably know by now since I can’t stop talking about it here on my blog, is a noodle dish that originated in Tuguegarao City. What’s different with it from all the usual pancit in the country is that they mix in carabeef  and top it with poached egg. The miki or noodle they use is also unique to the city, so most panciteria serving this in Manila actually buy theirs all the way from Cagayan, transporting them using public buses that ply the province to and from Manila. It’s actually one of the reasons why most pancit batil patong restaurants in the metro are located near bus stations that have routes going to Cagayan Valley. It’s such a surprise then to find a panciteria such as Noa’s Diner quite a way away from any bus stations.

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NOA’S DINER FIERY TARP SIGN

Anyways, so in we went, checking out Noa’s selection of pancit batil patong which was limited to the usual three—small, medium, and large. These are usually dubbed as regular, super, and super special, but in this case it was differentiated only by prices—80, 90, and 100.

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BESIDES PANCIT BATIL PATONG, THEY HAVE BULALO AND SILOG MEALS

We were initially told that the only difference between these were the serving size. C wanted to order the 100 and simply share, but I was adamant that we get the 80 instead so we’d each have a serving of the batil or soup, and the poached egg that normally tops the dish. She grudgingly agreed, provided that I finish her plate for her—she usually can’t finish a plate of pancit batil patong, unless it’s those by Jomar’s Panciteria in Tuguegarao, since it’s usually served in huge portions.

I heartily agreed.

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VERY SPARTAN INTERIORS

Serving time wasn’t as fast, which is quite the norm since most panciteria cook these on a by order basis. I tried a couple of their quail egg tukneneng, which by the way, has a really awesome sauce, while waiting. I would have gotten more if not for the aroma of our afternoon snack wafting through the kitchen window, reminding me to save a bit of tummy space.

LOOKS DIFFERENT THAN THE USUAL PANCIT BATIL PATONG, BUT STILL GOOD!

Soon enough, two plates of freshly cooked pancit batil patong came rushing out of the kitchen and on to our table. It looked somehow different from the usual ones we’ve been trying over the years, but not in a bad way. It was served on a stylish blue dish, with the miki somehow looking more like those used in pancit canton.

The whole shebang was topped with veggies, what seemed like chopped onion leeks, and slabs of lechon kawali serving as carajay! The dynamic duo of chopped red onions and carabeef stock soup infused with egg were present as well.

THE BATIL OR SOUP CAME A BIT LATE

As I initially suspected, the noodles weren’t legit Tuguegarao miki. The owner, who hails from the town of Baggao in Cagayan, confirmed it as well. He said it was quite hard to stock up on the original miki since it runs out almost immediately as there are a lot of Cagayano residing nearby and are patrons of their panciteria. The substitute is not canton per se, but an egg noodle variety he buys from Chinese suppliers in Manila.

LOVE THE CARAJAY!

To be quite fair, it isn’t that far from the original. You know there’s something missing, but not much. The flavor of the whole dish more than makes up for it, plus their lechon kawali carajay was really superb! The only thing I’m missing is the bean sprouts mixed in with the pancit batil patong, which we were told were present on the 100-peso version.

Now why didn’t they tell us that right away! We should’ve ordered that instead. I guess, besides trying their pancit with the original miki, it’s another reason to go back to Noa’s Diner. It’s just a ride away from home anyways!

Noa’s Diner PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Address: 88 General Avenue, Tandang Sora, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Contact Number: +63 (2) 903-5872
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 12:00MN Daily
GPS Coordinates Map: 14.677880, 121.025810