Filipino Classics: Ilocos Empanada, From Scratch

You have seen them on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. The huge bright orange empanada with the egg cracked inside, the shell that shatters when you bite it. It is all over your feed. Home cooks from California to New Jersey sell out in hours. You want to make it yourself.

The problem is nobody shows you how. The dough looks like a mystery. The sausage comes from a package that tastes like nothing. The egg runs, the shell breaks, and you end up with something soggy and sad. Even the vendors in Manial admit that part is hard.

I understand. On my recent trip to the Philippines I went on a mission. I sought out the best empanadas, stall after stall, and I tried every variation I could find. I burned my fingers more than once, because you have to eat these hot. Oh my goodness, they are so good. I came home knowing exactly what makes them work. Now I am ready to teach you the part the videos leave out.

HERE IS THE PLAN

1. Make the sausage. You season fresh pork with garlic, cane vinegar, and black pepper the Ilocano way. No packages.
2. Make the shell. You knead rice flour with annatto oil until it turns that famous orange, then press it thin on a banana leaf.
3. Fill, fold, and fry. Green papaya, bean sprouts, your own sausage, and a whole egg in the center. I show you the trick to a set egg and a shell that stays crisp.
4. Eat. We sit together and dip them in sukang Iloko, the garlic and chili vinegar that makes the whole thing sing.

You make three. Two to eat hot at the table. One goes home with you, ready to fry, so you can prove to someone you did this.

WHAT YOU GET

• All ingredients and equipment
• Printed recipes, including the sausage and the vinegar, so you can make it again
• A full meal of everything you made
• Hands-on cooking at your own station, with me beside you the whole way
  
  A LITTLE BONUS

An empanada should not eat alone. I bring out a pot of sinigang, the sour tamarind soup every Filipino home keeps on the stove. Hot, tangy, full of vegetables. One spoon cuts the richness of the fry and gets you ready for the next bite. You sit down to a real meal, not just a snack.

Add to WHAT YOU GET:

• A bowl of sinigang and steamed rice served with your empanadas
  

No experience needed. If you can fold a napkin, you can fold an empanada.

Skip this, and the empanada stays a video on your phone. Come, and you walk out knowing how to make the dish everyone at your table will ask about.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Class runs about 3 hours
• Ages 16 and up
• Contains egg, pork, and wheat; message us before booking with allergy questions
• Wear closed-toe shoes and come hungry

Reserve your seat. I will save you a spot at the table.

Maraming salamat,
Maricel

If you are redeeming a gift certificate, please call or text us at 732-497-2698 to reserve your place. You can also email us at [email protected]

Discover the Joy of Cooking with Maricel's Classes – Fun, Easy, and Interactive!

Duration & Format: Dive into 2.5 hours of engaging, hands-on cooking. Perfect for any experience level, from beginners to seasoned chefs.

Interactive Learning: Experience the excitement of learning and applying new flavors and techniques. Our classes are fully interactive, ensuring you're both learning and doing.

Enjoy Your Creations: After cooking, take a seat and relish the meals you've crafted. It's a rewarding opportunity to taste your own creations.

Take-Home Delights: Not only will you enjoy your meal in class, but there'll also be plenty of food to take home and enjoy later.

Refreshments Included: Soft drinks are on us! Feel free to BYOB if you like..

Dietary Accommodations: Have specific dietary needs? Let us know in advance. We're here to make sure your cooking experience meets your personal requirements.

Join us at Maricel's Classes for an easy, enjoyable cooking journey. Cooking is made simple and delightful for everyone!

Maricel's Kitchen is New Jersey's premier culinary experience destination and can cater to all your culinary needs and is a unique culinary venue in New Jersey.

Elevate Your Special Occasions: Planning a wedding, corporate team building, intamate affair, group outing, or a special celebration? Let Maricel’s Kitchen elevate your event, promising an unforgettable culinary experience.
Our Chef's Table events offers an intimate and exclusive culinary experience; click here to check the upcoming schedule.
Our diverse cooking classes include Filipino, Thai, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Vegetarian, Keto, Gluten Free, Baking, and more. Click here for schedule.

Culinary Innovation and Tradition: Maricel's passion for cooking shines through every dish served and taught. Her expertise ensures that each meal is not just prepared, but is crafted with the utmost care, celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures and tastes.

Book Your Event Today: Contact Maricel’s Kitchen at (732) 497-2698 to discuss how we can make your next event spectacular with our top-tier culinary offerings.

Let Maricel's Kitchen be the heart and soul of your next event, where tradition meets culinary innovation—right here in New Jersey.

Gift the joy of culinary exploration with Maricel’s Kitchen gift cards! Perfect for any occasion, these cards can be used across our services:

• Cooking Classes: Hands-on lessons in diverse cuisines.
• Chef's Table Events: Exclusive dining experiences.
• Catering Services: Customizable menus for any event.
• Maricel's Retail: Unique culinary products.

We offer both physical gift cards available for purchase in-store and digital gift cards that can be bought online by following this link.
Redeem Your Gift Card: To use your gift card for cooking classes or any of our services, please call us at (732) 497-2698 or email [email protected] to manually reserve your spot.

Discover a unique and enjoyable way to celebrate or collaborate with Maricel’s Kitchen private cooking classes. Whether it’s for corporate team building, board meetings, sales meetings, bachelorette parties, birthdays, anniversaries, or any special gathering, our private classes provide a memorable and interactive experience.

• Event Types: Ideal for corporate events, celebrations, or just a fun gathering.
• Group Size: Accommodating groups from 10 to 30 participants.
• Customizable Menus: Tailor-made menus to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Private cooking classes at Maricel’s Kitchen are the perfect blend of fun and creativity for any occasion! Call us at (732) 497-2698 or email [email protected] to discuss your event.

Bring the Flavors of Asia into Your Kitchen

You want to cook Asian dishes at home—authentic, delicious, and doable. But most recipes online feel too complicated, or worse, inauthentic.

That’s why Chef Maricel Gentile created Maricel’s Simply Asian Cookbook—to be your guide.

In this beautifully photographed, easy-to-follow cookbook, Maricel brings you everyday recipes from Filipino, Cantonese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean cuisines. Inspired by her journey from her Lola’s kitchen in Manila to running her own award-winning kitchen in New Jersey, every recipe is packed with heart, heritage, and flavor.

✅ Step-by-step recipes with accessible ingredients
✅ Tips from Maricel’s professional experience and family traditions
✅ Cook with confidence and bring joy to your table
📖 Ready to start your journey?
👉
Let’s cook something beautiful together.

Your Guide to Confident, Joyful Asian Cooking

You want to cook authentic Asian dishes that bring people together—but figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. That’s where Chef Maricel comes in.

You may have seen her on the Food Network, PBS, or Hulu, where she brings her passion for food and vibrant personality to life. But whether she’s on screen or in person, Maricel’s mission is the same:
to make Asian cooking simple, joyful, and absolutely delicious.

Her journey began in her grandmother’s kitchen in the Philippines, where she learned that food is love. Decades later, after traveling the world and working in some of New York’s most prestigious restaurants and hotels, she founded Maricel’s Kitchen—a culinary experience destination where tradition meets creativity.

As a Chef Ambassador for K-Seafood and the author of , Maricel helps home cooks like you confidently create Filipino, Cantonese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean dishes—no matter your skill level.
🎟️ When you join Chef Maricel’s classes or buy her book, you’re not just learning recipes—you’re gaining a guide, a cheerleader, and a new love for cooking.

👉 Let’s cook something unforgettable.

Chef Anthony is a celebrated pastry chef and baker, known for his passion for all things baked. With extensive experience and a background from Johnson & Whales, he brings creativity, meticulous attention to detail, and infectious enthusiasm to baking and chocolate making.

Inspired from a young age by the art of baking, Chef Anthony sees it as a way to connect with others through food. In his classes, he demystifies the processes of pastry, baking, and chocolate making, making them accessible for bakers of all skill levels. He provides a hands-on experience, sharing expert techniques and inspiring participants to appreciate the culinary arts deeply.

Event venue & nearby stays

Maricel's Kitchen, 111 Main Street, East Brunswick, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

Get the app →

Discover more events by tag