Empanada de Mati: Pasalubong or Baon?

Regional food has been one of my faves. Just like festivals and places, food gives a unique experience in a place. In the City of Mati, the capital of Davao Oriental in Mindanao, a great pasalubong for anyone going to the easternmost place in the Philippines would be—empanada. Thanks to fellow blogger and friend Kuya Olan Emboscado of The Travel Teller, a native himself of the province, recommended me to buy one!

Again yes, you read it right—empanada!

While it is known that empanada is a mainstay in Filipino cuisine, Mati has its own version, just like it has a different version of empanada in Vigan.

The empanada in Mati is rather simple. The half-moon shaped pastry filled with meat (mostly pork) is blended with cheese (which gives its creamy sweet-savory texture), some green onions, and other spices, then filled with a slice of hard-boiled egg. And like siopao is to the Visayans, (banana) catsup is the “additional” or “partner” sauce.

Savoury and a bit creamy, my first “try” became a brunch!

You can buy a box of empanadas at Seaside Restaurant, located at Quezon Street, near Mati City Hall and the seaside promenade of the city. One big box of dozen empanadas costs more or less a hundred pesos (PhP100) or US$1.25.

View Larger MapAn advise though, if you are to buy this one, try to call the restaurant first and ask if any available stock since they cook these in the morning. The phone number is +63 (87) 388-3544.

I bought several boxes, one is a pasalubong in Gensan, and one—which was supposed to be a reserve, became my baon for my 6 hour trip back to General Santos through Davao City.