Lanie’s Batac Special Empanada in Ilocos Norte Adds a Twist to Your Favorite Snack
You may have taken a big bite of Irene’s Vigan Empanada in Ilocos Sur and has deemed it worth going back for. Driving further north, however, there is also another gem that you might wish to try to satisfy your cravings for the delightfully filling snack.
This is Lanie’s Batac Special Empanada in Riverside, Batac, Ilocos Norte!
IMAGE Lanie’s Batac Special Empanada
Also Read: Irene’s Vigan Empanada Serves the Best Ilocano Snack in Town
Empanada-making, specifically in Batac, Ilocos Norte, is said to have originated from no other than the “Mother of Batac Empanada,” Lola Nieves “Ibing” Cocson Layaoen.
Lola Ibing then passed down the Batac way of making the Spanish Empanada to her granddaughter, Lanie, who then established the most sought-after empanada store in Ilocos Norte- Lanie’s Batac Special Empanada!
Lanie’s Special Empanada is a pastry that resembles that of a crunchy folded pizza, stuffed with locally produced vegetables such as mung beans, grated papaya, and other fillings like egg and longganisa.
Lanie’s Special Empanada (Php 40)/IMAGE Lanie’s Batac Special Empanada
What made Lanie’s Batac Special Empanada even more exciting, however, is that they added some twist into it by replacing its usual fillings with the Sisaron or Batac Bagnet (crispy pork belly) or sometimes with moringa or cheese. These moringa and cheese empanadas are priced at only Php 60 each!
What’s more is that other local must-tries are ready for your consumption such as the iconic and all new Tacos Empanada (Php 60) which is the Batac version of the Mexican tacos, and the ever exotic delicacy of Balut or a hard-boiled, semi-developed egg.
Balut (Php 20)/IMAGE Lanie’s Batac Special Empanada
Meanwhile, other Ilocano favorites like Bagnet or Crispy Pork Belly and Miki– a special noodle soup made with miki noodles, chicken stock, and achiote– are also available at Lanie’s Batac Special Empanada!
Also Read: Comedor in Hotel Luna, Vigan: A Gastronomic Spanish-Ilocano Dining Place
So don’t forget to make a stop at Lanie’s Batac Special Empanada at the Riverside R.S. Empanadaan Bldg., in Batac Ilocos Norte to taste for yourself the authentic Batac Empanada!
How to get here:
- By car: From Laoag City proper, drive back, Vigan-bound using the Manila North Road. Upon reaching Marcos Avenue, turn left before turning right to Washington Street where you will be seeing Lanie’s Batac Special Empanada.
- By public transport: From Cubao, Quezon City, take the Partas Bus. When it makes a stop, ride going to San Nicolas and go down at Batac City. Walk along Washington Street going to Lanie’s Batac Special Empanada.
This first appeared in Philippine Primer Japanese Magazine’s March 2019 issue.
Images grabbed from Lanie’s Batac Special Empanada Facebook Page
