Vigan City is a recognized tourist destination. From its cobblestone streets to the remaining ancestral homes and buildings, it earns its recognition as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. What people rarely talk about is its delicacy. The best food in Vigan can vary for visitors, but it is something worth checking out.

5 Best Food in Vigan

The delicacies of the city play a major role in elevating its tourism. The authentic Ilocano cuisine reflects its strong connection and inspiration from its Spanish influences. While they are less recognized in comparison to the specialty foods in Pampanga, these delicacies truly are worthy of tourist tasting.

Pinakbet

Starting this list is the pinakbet, a traditional local dish made of various vegetable mixes and cooked with bagoong (shrimp paste). The combination of ingredients creates a savory and slightly bitter taste. This dish is a must-try for casual travelers who are looking for healthy food alternatives.

The pinakbet's preparation usually involves the vegetables being sautéed in garlic and onions before being mixed into the shrimp paste. This cooking process makes the vegetables tender while retaining their flavors. Vigan’s iteration also includes chopped fried pork belly to add its now popular crunchy sensation.

Empanada

Another local favorite and labeled as the best food in Vigan is empanada. This food can be enjoyed on any occasion and any time of day. Empanadas are popular local pastries that take the form of a half-moon or taco-shaped wrapper or dough that comes with different fillings. It is one of the many dishes that directly takes both its Spanish iterations and traditional preparations.

What makes Vigan empanadas stand out is their unique coloration, which is pale orange and deep friend. Their fillings also range in different, unique flavors. These pastries are satisfying and hearty. Tourists would enjoy these items, as they can be found at the many local eateries and shops of the city.

Bagnet

One of the city's most popular dishes that gives tourists a foodgasm is bagnet. This crispy pork belly dish has a rich and crunchy texture to match its flavor. It is usually served and enjoyed with either vinegar or lechon sauce. Moreover, the Vigan bagnet boasts a strong taste that matches its crunchy exterior.

While it sounds like it takes a simple approach, preparing a bagnet actually takes several stops. The pork belly is usually boiled with a mixture of seasonings, which usually includes spices, garlic, and onions with vinegar. Boiling the belly helps tenderize its meat and adopts its flavor through the marinated water. The belly is then air-dried for hours and directly deep-fried. This process makes it rich in flavor and tender for tourists and locals to enjoy.

Sinanglaw

Another food specialty in Vigan is a delicious and comforting soup made from a variety of shrimp, fish, and squid cooked in a flavored broth. Like many soup dishes in the Philippines, sinanglaw is often served with a side of rice for a more satisfying and filling combination.

The preparation of sinanglaw involves cleaning the seafood ingredients and cooking them in a broth made by sauteing onions, tomatoes, and ginger. Once the broth cooks the seafood thoroughly, it will be seasoned with fish sauce and pepper to enhance flavor. Moreover, some variations within the city also add vegetables, such as okra or eggplant, to add texture to the soup.

Vigan Longganisa

Another famous food in Vigan City is its longganisa. It can either be eaten by itself or added to other meals. The city’s iteration of longganisa can be found in almost any restaurant and food shop available. Their flavor, texture, and fitting variety to different dishes make them one of the best types of Philippine sausage.

They can be cooked in many different ways, including grilled, pan-fried, or boiled. Vigan longganisa is made of a pork mixture seasoned with salt and spices and then stuffed into natural, edible casings. Because of their wide array of preparation options and strong flavor, these sausages have become a staple in Ilocano cuisine for the longest time.

Furthermore, its flavor leaves a significant imprint on tourists, making them crave more and return to Vigan.

Final Thoughts

The best food in Vigan City reflects the city’s culinary talents while boasting a good flavor to match. Every food offered by the city shows how deep the city is in its long history besides through their maintained architecture. Tourists will not only have the scenery to understand and appreciate the city’s past stories but also dine on local specialties in savoring their palate.