After a morning exploring churches and museums, it was time to head to Batac for brunch and try its famous empanada. We made our way to Batac Riverside Empanadahan, located near the church.
Upon arrival, we found ourselves surrounded by numerous stalls of empanada. But first, we took advantage of the moment to capture photos and videos – a customary ritual for content creators and bloggers.
Batac Empanada is distinguished by its orange-colored crust, generously filled with a combination of vegetables (typically papaya), longganisa, and egg. While additional fillings can be customized for an extra charge, these are the staple ingredients of this dish.
After exploring the various empanadahan stalls, we decided to try Glory’s Special Empanada, owned by Gloria Cocson, the most seasoned empanada maker in Batac. We were lucky to meet her there and decided to have a nice conversation.
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Glory’s Empanada
Gloria shared with us her pride in being able to provide her children with a good education through the success of her empanada business. She also mentioned that her empanada was not only the original but also the best-tasting in town – a claim I found myself agreeing with after my first bite. The steady stream of customers further attested to her empanada’s popularity.
Lola Glory. 🙂
She also mentioned the variety of options now available, such as upgrades for those desiring more longganisa, egg, or vegetable fillings. Once our empanada was ready, it was time to finally taste it.
The Batac Empanada Experience
The filling was both rich and flavorful. While it might appear deceptively easy to devour in one sitting, it proved to be quite filling.
Having recently tried Vigan Empanada, I naturally found myself comparing the two. Firstly, the Batac empanada has an orange color because of Annatto seeds or achuete, whereas the Vigan version has a lighter color.
Also, while the Batac Empanada uses a whole egg as filling, Vigan Empanada uses only the egg yolk. The choice of longganisa also differs. The Batac Empanada uses Laoag longganisa, which carries a slightly salty flavor, while Vigan Empanada features Vigan longganisa, known for its distinct vinegar aroma.
Seated at a long table beside the river, we relished our empanadas. Despite knowing that lunch awaited us later, I couldn’t resist finishing every last bite. Batac Empanada is not just delicious, it is also satisfying and filling that for some, it can also become a one full meal.
More of Batac Empanada
1. What is Batac Empanada?
Batac Empanada is a famous Filipino snack that originated in Batac,Ilocos Norte. It consists of a crispy orange-colored crust filled with a delicious combination of vegetables, longganiza (Filipino sausage), and egg.
2. Where can I find Batac Empanada?
You can find Batac Empanada in Batac, Ilocos Norte, particularly at local empanadahan (stalls) located near the Batac Riverside and other parts of the town.
3. What makes Batac Empanada special?
Batac Empanada is known for its unique orange-colored crust, which comes from the use of Annatto seeds or achuete. It’s also cherished for its flavorful filling, featuring a combination of vegetables, longganiza, and egg.
4. Can I customize my Batac Empanada?
Yes! Many empanadahan offer customization options, allowing you to add more longganiza, egg, or even just vegetable fillings to your liking. Just ask the vendor for your preferred customization.
5. How much does Batac Empanada cost?
The price of Batac Empanada varies depending on the vendor and any additional fillings or customizations you choose. On average, a basic Batac Empanada typically costs around Php 50.
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