Best Ilocos Empanada in Vancouver: 2026 Guide & Review

2026 Update: Ilocos Fride is Still Frying!

I am so happy to share that as of March 2026, Ilocos Fride is still serving our kababayan in Metro Vancouver. If you are looking for that perfect orange crunch today, here is the latest "Data" for your weekend cravings:

• 📍 Location: Pick-up near Knight St., Vancouver (or via Uber Courier).
• 🗓️ Availability: Usually available on Saturdays and Sundays.
• 🥟 Menu Note: They are currently focusing on the Ilocos Norte Empanada. Keep an eye out for the return of the Longganisa!
• 📲 How to Order: Send a PM directly to the Ilocos Fride Facebook Page to secure your slot.

*Agyaman to our local vendors for keeping these flavours alive in Vancouver!

Food and writing have become my escape and a happy place. I decided to join a Facebook Group "Filipino Food Vancouver" to discover more vendors of Filipino cuisine and support kababayan here in Metro Vancouver.

If you check my last few posts, it's mostly Filipino cuisine in Vancouver. It's like an obsession to support fellow Filipino during a pandemic.

For this week, I discovered that a Facebook Page is selling Ilocos Norte Empanada and Longganisa in Vancouver. After a week of figuring out the schedule and logistics, here we are enjoying our Empanada.

Ilocos Norte Empanada

Inside Ilocos Norte Empanada are shredded green papaya, munggo beans, egg, and the key ingredient is their homemade Ilocos Longganisa.

I have been craving this for a really long time. The timing is also perfect. My friend who planned our trip to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur recently passed away. I'll always remember her when eating this dish.

It arrived still hot. The exterior is crispy and crunchy, as expected it's oily as well, but that's when the spicy vinegar sauce comes in. Be sure to put some of the sauce inside your Empanada, and the flavours are 10x better. You'll just keep on eating until you realize it's gone. We ate two in one seating. Crazy!

Ilocos Longganisa

We also ordered two dozen longganisa for breakfast this week. I can't wait to cook them.

Pastry Puff Empanaditas

Aside from Ilocos Norte Empanada and Longganisa, I ordered one dozen of their Pastry Puff Empanaditas filled with shredded chicken, raisins, potatoes, green peas, and carrots.

A dozen of Pastry Puff Empanaditas

It's delicious as well. We just put a couple in the microwave, and it tasted better hot.

Kain tayo!

August 16 Update: I cooked the Ilocos Norte Longganisa for breakfast this morning, It was garlicky, fatty, and delicious. I served it with sunnyside up egg and brown rice.

Ilocos Norte Longganisa for breakfast in Metro Vancouver