My mom and grandmother, who both grew up in Ilocos, introduced me to Empanada. For some people who don't know what an empanada is, it is a Spanish-influenced pastry that became famous in the Ilocos region. It is a deep-fried stuffed bread that usually has ground beef (often Vigan chorizo), raisins, potatoes, carrots, and chopped white onions on the inside. I grew up loving this stuff and until now, I still look for it. Most of the time, I go to the Empanada Nation to satisfy my cravings for good-tasting empanada. Empanada Nation has a lot of meals to offer. They have dishes that are based on classic Ilocano cuisines, like Crispy Dinuguan, Igado, and Longganisa. They also have a special kind of Empanada that has melted cheese in it. I thought the combination of cheese and empanada would be a little bit gross, but it was surprisingly delicious. It was sweet on the outside, but salty and savory on the inside. It would also be the perfect pasalubong for your friends and family. Everyone will surely like it. read more