Lomi facts for kids
Lomi is a yummy Filipino noodle dish. It's also known as pancit lomi. This dish uses thick, fresh egg noodles. These noodles are a bit chewy because they are soaked in a special water called lye water. Lomi is super popular, especially in the eastern part of Batangas in the Philippines. Because so many restaurants make it, you can find many different ways to cook Lomi! Each place might have its own special recipe.
How Lomi is Made
Making Lomi starts with cooking small pieces of meat. Usually, this is pork, but sometimes it's chicken. Thin slices of pork liver are also used. These meats are lightly fried, or sauteed, with garlic and shallots. They are cooked until they are soft and tender.
Next, salt, black pepper, and other seasonings are added. Then, a special soup stock is poured in to make the rich broth. The Lomi noodles and chopped cabbage are added to the pot.
To make the soup thick, a mix of cornstarch and water is stirred in while the noodles cook. Finally, just before serving, a beaten egg is added. The cook stirs it quickly to make the egg mix into the soup.
Toppings and Serving
Lomi often comes with tasty toppings! These can include slices of kikiam (a type of sausage), fish balls, chopped chives, cooked shrimp, and even some meatballs. Sometimes, you might also find stir-fried ground meat (pork or chicken) or crispy roasted garlic on top.
Lomi is usually cooked in a big, deep pan called a wok. It takes about 9 to 10 minutes to cook one serving.
How to Enjoy Lomi
Lomi tastes best when it's steaming hot! It's a fun challenge to finish your bowl before it gets cold.
To make your Lomi even more delicious, you can add some extra flavor. Many people mix soy sauce, fish sauce, kalamansi juice (a small citrus fruit), and crushed fresh red chili peppers. This mix is a great condiment for your Lomi. You can also use this sauce to dip the meatballs in. Some people like to add a small amount of finely chopped fresh red onions to their Lomi for a stronger taste.
Where to Find Lomi
You can find Lomi in many places, especially in Batangas. Places that serve Lomi often have special names.
- A lomi haus or lomián is a place that mostly sells Lomi. They might also serve other noodle dishes made with fresh egg noodles called miki.
- A panciteria has a bigger menu of noodle dishes. They serve Lomi and many other types of pancit (noodles). They might also have rice meals and other dishes.
- An eatery, carinderia, or restaurant usually serves rice meals and other dishes. In eastern Batangas, Lomi is almost always on their menu!
Sometimes, you might also see places called luncheonette or fast food center that serve Lomi.
