2 weeks ago I went to Laoag for work. We had to meet with the North Luzon Sales people. But I won't talk about work. I just wanted to tell you about my experience in Laoag. To be quite honest with you, I had my apprehensions in going to the Ilocos area because of the "political territories". I wasn't really sure if the people there hated or resented my family. I thought of removing my glasses just so I wouldn't be recognized as an Aquino.
But it was totally different!!! Let me tell you why.
After my presentation, I really wanted to try the emapanada of Laoag. I was told that I really have to try it. So in front of our hotel, there was an empanada stand. :)
So in front of the Renzo hotel is Joker's Empanada :) No, there wasn't any picture of Batman's archnemesis. OK, back to the empanada. This is not your typical chicken or pork empanada you can get from a bakeshop. This is THE empanada that's being sold in the street. Freshly cooked! Sorry... FRIED!!! :) The empanada is served from 5pm-1am only. It's tradition.
As we ordered, the vendor asked special or regular. So I was curious on what the special was. The regular empanada has beans and cabbage while the special one contains additional longganisa and egg!!! So I definitely had to go with the special one man!!! Can't pass on that!!! So the vendor got made the wrapper. Do you know the orange batter used for Kwek-Kweks? I think it's made of that :) Haha. Sorry hindi ko alam.
You have to wait a bit before eating because it's extremely hot. Dapat may warning na "CAUTION: The Empanada you are about to devour and enjoy is EXTREMELY HOT!!!"
Sauces are usually banana ketchup or the special suka... Guess what I got. Special Suka of course!!! My gosh sobrang sarap nung empanada!!! Winner winner chicken dinner!!! (Sorry, I watched 21 on HBO yesterday)
So the empanada stand had a table on the side so you could eat there. It was funny because the vendors were watching SNN. One of them looked at me then at Tita Kris and then me again... So she recognized me and I said to myself "Oh crap, here we go..." But she smiled!!! So I smiled back. She said "Tita mo oh!". I said oo nga po, hehe.
We then talked about the empanada. I said that it was really good. They said that it's better if it's eaten late at night when it's cool. I agreed. It was better at night. They said that they were only open from 5pm-1am.
So if you ever go to Laoag, check out Joker's Empanada. It's located across the Renzo hotel :)
I stayed there for less than 24 hours. The next day as I checked out from the hotel, the front desk people asked for a picture. I was shocked! They recognized me and said they were going to vote for Tito Noy! How cool was that??? :) In general, people were real friendly in Laoag. Plus the place was clean!!! Wala akong masabi. Maganda sa Laoag!
Plus I had to buy Chichacorn before leaving!!! That snack is just made of awesome!!! Love it!!!
My trip was short... I wanted to stay longer and see the place some more...
Til the next time Laoag!!!
13 comments:
Crap, now I want to go to Laoag just to try the empanada hahaha. :)
So glad to see ur blog . Im a big fan of your grandparents.. Take care and Good Luck on your job..
yeah! ilocos empanadas are the best! the most authentic are those sold in the streets like that in Joker's. and yeah, every trip to ilocos is not complete without grabbing those chichacorns! ang mura sa ilocos. meron din yan sa groceries dito pero shempre more expensive na.
hey btw jiggy, you seemed to have stopped joining running events. just noticed, although off topic.
i never knew those empanadas had a schedule. maarte siya. hehehe. but i really wanna try it out as well.
i'm from ilocos and ngayon ko lang nalaman na may time pala pagluto nila...but if you want to eat empanada before 5, pwede sa riverside sa batac..or sa dap-ayan in laoag near the provincial capitol
you might also want to try the empanada near pldt sabi mas masarap daw dun...or that of brgy 11 in bacarra..just about 15 minutes from laoag
wow great to hear that!must try that empanada when i get to laoag next time.funny when the vendor was looking back at u and ur tita kris.hehe :)
I agree.Laoag's empanadas are the best.My dad's Ilocano so we often get the chance to taste it.You should have tried Ilocos' bagnet.It's the best.Next time nlang ulit.
If ever you go back to Ilocos I recommend you go to Pagudpud! :) best beach ever!! :D
Those chicacorns are the best! I can eat a whole bag by myself. That was the only pasalubong I asked for when my parents went there. Okay, now I am craving them so badly.
This makes me wanna try it.. Yum!
you look like jonty in your pic =)
you should try Vigan's empanda too ^-^V... yummy :D
..wew!! what a nice trip!!! xaya. :D
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