A Taste of Ilocos in Cebu
Cebu’s food scene keeps growing, and that includes regional Filipino favorites making their way to the island. One of the most talked-about street foods lately is the crispy and hearty Ilocos empanada, a deep-fried pastry filled with vegetables, egg, and Ilocos longganisa. If you’ve been seeing it all over social media and wondering where to try one in Cebu, here are a few spots serving their own versions of this northern classic. From mall stalls to small local pop-ups, read the full article to find out where you can get your Ilocos empanada fix in Cebu.
1. Buching’s Empanada de Ilocos at IT Park
If you’re craving authentic Ilocos-style empanada in Cebu, one of the easiest places to find it is at Buching’s Empanada de Ilocos, located on the 4th Level Food Choices of Ayala Central Bloc inside Cebu IT Park. Their empanadas are freshly fried and served hot, which explains the long queues that sometimes stretch up to an hour during peak hours. One of the most popular orders is the Supreme empanada with double meat and double egg priced at ₱150, while other options range from ₱80 to ₱150 (price upon writing). The crust is crisp and slightly chewy, filled with cabbage, egg, and Ilocos longganisa. Adding vinegar, especially sukang Iloko, helps balance the flavors and cuts through the richness.
How To Get There?
Location: Ayala Central Bloc, IT Park, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
By Car: Drive toward Cebu IT Park in Lahug and enter through the main entrance along Jose Maria del Mar Street. Follow the road toward Ayala Central Bloc Mall parking area. Park at the mall parking spaces and take the elevator to the 4th Level Food Choices, where the empanada stall is located.
By Commute: Ride a jeepney or bus going to IT Park from major areas like Colon, Talamban, or SM City Cebu. Get off at the IT Park terminal, walk toward Ayala Central Bloc Mall, and head to the 4th floor Food Choices area where Buching’s stall is located.
2. Ilocos Empanada at Kopikart Minglanilla
Down south of Cebu, another place serving Ilocos-style empanada is Kopikart. Their empanadas are known for being generously filled, “grabeh ka siksik og sulod,” as locals would say. Each empanada is freshly cooked and packed with vegetables, egg, and savory fillings. They currently offer two variants: ₱89 without cheese and ₱99 with cheese (price upon writing). The stall operates from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, making it a good afternoon or evening snack stop for people living in the southern part of Cebu.
How To Get There?
Location: Humayan Food Park, Minglanilla, Cebu, Philippines
By Car: From Cebu City, drive south along Natalio B. Bacalso National Highway toward Minglanilla. Look for Kopikart along the roadside food spots in the area. Parking is usually available near the stalls.
By Commute: Ride a jeepney or bus bound for Minglanilla or Carcar from South Bus Terminal or nearby routes. Tell the driver to drop you near Kopikart Minglanilla, then walk a short distance to the food stall area.
3. Ilocos-Inspired Empanada Cebu
Another small but growing option is Ilocos-Inspired Empanada Cebu, which offers a slightly different take on the Ilocos classic. Instead of the usual fillings, they serve togue (bean sprouts) empanada and monggo empanada, both freshly prepared and deep-fried until crisp. The empanadas are packed with flavorful fillings and are made to order, giving them a crunchy exterior and warm, savory center. Orders are currently accepted through direct message for pickup or arranged delivery.
Other Information
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From mall stalls in IT Park to local food spots in Minglanilla, Ilocos empanada is slowly becoming another favorite snack among Cebuanos. With its crispy shell and filling center, it’s easy to see why many people are willing to line up just to get one fresh from the fryer. Now the question is, would you wait an hour for a freshly cooked empanada?
