If you’ve searched for the best empanada de humita near me, you’ve probably already worked out the tricky part: this isn’t beef or chicken. Humita is the creamy sweetcorn filling that turns up in Argentine and Bolivian kitchens, and it’s the one empanada that gets left off the menu at half the places that sell everything else. Finding it takes a bit more legwork than walking into any old empanada shop.
This guide covers what humita actually is, where it’s currently being made in the UK (mostly concentrated in London, where the Argentine and wider Latin American community is largest), which shops ship it nationally, and what separates a good one from a bland one.
What Is Best Empanada de Humita Near Me?
Humita is a corn based filling found across northern Argentina, Bolivia, and parts of Chile, long before it ever ended up folded into pastry. According to recipe writers who’ve studied the dish closely, including Denis Polansky’s family recipe documented by the Jewish Food Society, the empanada version typically combines fresh or tinned sweetcorn with onion, sometimes cheese, a touch of cream or milk, and light seasoning such as nutmeg or paprika, all wrapped in a thin pastry disc and baked or fried until golden.
Depending on the region, you’ll also see it spelled “humitas” or served as an open style empanada rather than a sealed one. Some Bolivian and Ecuadorian versions lean sweeter, others add cheese and green onion for a savoury edge. If a menu lists “corn empanada” without naming humita specifically, it’s usually the same dish under a translated name.
Why “Near Me” Searches Struggle With This One
A search for the best empanada de humita near me often comes up thin outside a handful of UK cities, and London does most of the heavy lifting. Smaller operations often skip it to keep their menu simple.
That means your best strategy isn’t searching generically. It’s checking directly with dedicated Argentine empanaderias, since they rotate humita in and out depending on the week, and calling ahead or checking their online ordering page before you make a trip.
Where to Find Empanada de Humita in London
London has the UK’s strongest concentration of Argentine food businesses, several of which make humita a regular fixture rather than an occasional special.
Porteña, Borough Market has been serving empanadas from a stall since 2007, according to Latinolife’s roundup of Argentine eateries in London It’s run by three friends built around traditional Argentine flavours, and reviewers on Tripadvisor have called it one of the most authentic empanada stops in the country. Corn and veggie fillings sit alongside the meat options, so ask what’s in that day.
De Nadas Empanadas describes itself as the UK’s first dedicated empanaderia, with five London shops across Notting Hill’s Golborne Road, Shoreditch, Stoke Newington, Bethnal Green, and Kew Gardens. Their empanadas are baked rather than fried and come in around 15 fillings, spanning meat, vegetarian, and vegan. They also run delivery within an hour across parts of London.
Chimichurris, run by Nicolas Modad and Federico Fugazza (the latter also founded Porteña), is a sit down Argentine restaurant in south London built around a parrilla grill, with empanadas served as a starter before the steaks arrive.
London Empanada Co. started in a home kitchen in April 2020 and now runs its own production kitchen, supplying customers and wholesale partners across the city with handmade empanadas built on traditional technique. You may offered Best Espinacas con Garbanzos Near Me.
Ordering Empanada de Humita Online, Anywhere in the UK
If there isn’t a dedicated Argentine shop near you, online ordering is the more reliable route, especially outside London.
Casa Argentina ships Argentine empanadas across UK mainland with next day delivery, and lists eleven flavours including corn based options.
Ch.ango Empanadas, mentioned above, also offers UK wide delivery on its handmade range, useful if you want a freezer stock rather than a single portion
What to Look For in a Best Empanada de Humita Near Me
Not every corn empanada is made the same way, and there are a few signs worth checking before you commit to a shop or an order.
| What to check | Good sign | Weaker sign |
|---|---|---|
| Filling texture | Creamy, slightly chunky, holds together | Watery or runny, soaks through the pastry |
| Corn source | Fresh or good quality tinned corn, visible kernels | Overly processed filler with little visible corn |
| Seasoning | Balanced, sometimes a touch of nutmeg or paprika | Bland or overly sweet with no savoury edge |
| Pastry | Thin, crisp, not greasy | Thick, doughy, heavy on oil |
| Menu presence | Regularly available, not a rare special | Only appears occasionally, hard to plan around |
Argentine cooks disagree on plenty, including whether the pastry should use butter or beef fat, a point Kate Glennon admits she never fully resolved despite years of asking chefs directly.
FAQ’S About Best Empanada de Humita Near Me
1. What does empanada de humita taste like?
It’s creamy and mildly sweet from the corn, balanced with onion and light seasoning such as nutmeg or paprika. It reads closer to a savoury corn chowder folded into pastry than a typical sweet snack.
2. Is empanada de humita vegetarian?
Yes, in its traditional form. It’s one of the most common vegetarian options on an Argentine empanada menu, and several UK shops also offer a vegan version made without egg wash or dairy.
3. Where can I buy empanada de humita in the UK?
London has the widest choice, with Porteña, De Nadas, Chango, Chimichurris, Santa Maria del Sur, La Criolla, and London Empanada Co. all having made or served it. Outside London, online delivery from Casa Argentina or Chango is the more consistent route.
4. Can I get empanada de humita delivered outside London?
Yes. Casa Argentina delivers across UK mainland with next day shipping, and Chango Empanadas also offers nationwide delivery on its handmade range.
5. What’s the difference between humita and choclo?
Both refer to corn based fillings, though “choclo” is the more general Spanish word for corn, while “humita” specifically describes the prepared, creamy corn mixture used across Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. In practice, most UK menus use the two terms to mean the same filling.