'We want to make food people travel for': An Ilocano cook brings Ilocos empanada to the Sunshine Coast

For some, Ilocos empanada is the half moon-shaped orange snack that's having a moment online; but for Bryan Dalere, it's a childhood favourite that's followed him all the way from Ilocos Norte to the Sunshine Coast.

Bryan Dalere (right-most) and his partner, Adam, make and sell Ilocos empanada in the Sunshine Coast. Credit: Bryan Dalere

Key Points

• Ilocano Bryan Dalere currently runs the snack house, Lasa, with his partner Adam.
• The couple makes and sells Ilocos empanada and other Filipino dishes.
• Ilocos empanada has a crisp, orange shell filled with Ilocos longganisa, vegetables and an egg.

I got in touch with a Filipino grocery that ordered 40 pieces of our Ilocos empanada. The owner wasn't sure, but she was supportive. The empanadas were sold out in six hours...They ordered another 200 immediately after that.

Bryan Dalere, Snack house owner

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