Vigan Has Spanish-Era Streets and One Very Filipino Snack
This article may contain affiliate links. This means we receive a small commission whenever you book or purchase something through our links (at no extra cost to you!). You can find more information in our disclaimer.
Trying Vigan empanada isn’t optional. Not if you ask me. It’s one of the best foods in Vigan!
If you’re figuring out where to find the best empanada in Vigan, this guide is for you. These are the spots I’ve tried myself, and a few that locals and regulars keep bringing up.
I’ve also thrown in prices, locations, and hours for each one, in case you want to turn this into your own empanada-thon (empanada marathon 😂) and knock out a few stalls in one day.
What is Vigan Empanada?
Vigan empanada is a half-moon-shaped, deep-fried snack with a crisp shell, made from galapong (rice flour batter) instead of the usual wheat flour. It’s crunchy on the outside, flavorful (savory) on the inside!
Inside, you’ll find skinless Vigan longganisa, shredded green papaya or cabbage, and an egg right before it hits the oil.
I used to think all empanada in Ilocos was the same thing, with the orange shell.
Apparently, that bright orange one is Batac empanada, from Ilocos Norte. It’s colored with atsuete oil and usually filled with togue (mung bean sprouts).
Vigan’s (or Ilocos Sur’s) version stays paler and leans on papaya or cabbage instead.
Vigan empanada is always served hot, straight out of the oil, with a small bowl of sukang Iloko (Ilocos vinegar) mixed with salt, onions, and chili on the side.
Every empanada place makes its shell and dip a little differently, so the crunch, color, and even how sour the vinegar tastes are different depending on where you go.
That’s part of the fun! Because you’re not just eating one empanada in Vigan. You’re experiencing a dozen slightly different versions of the same dish!
Best Places to Eat Empanada in Vigan
You’ll find empanada eateries and stalls all over Vigan. Some of them are tucked into Calle Crisologo, or along the streets just outside the heritage village.
These are the spots I tried and/or that locals and regulars swear by!
Note: All of these places also sell okoy, a popular Filipino fritter made from a seasoned flour or rice batter packed with small unshelled shrimp and julienned veggies.
1. Irene’s Vigan Empanada 🍴
Irene’s has been in Vigan since 1930, with two branches now, one right on Calle Crisologo, and a quieter one just a short walk away on the parallel street. I went to the latter, and it was worth the extra few steps.
Everything’s made fresh right in front of you.
The shell fries up crisp, and unlike some spots, they go with cabbage instead of green papaya for the veggie component.
The meat, pork longganisa, bagnet, sisig, beef longganisa, chicken, tuna, and even crab are available.
There are also premium versions with double meat, double egg, or jumbo-sized servings if you’re extra hungry.
One catch: the dip here comes pre-made instead of mixed to order, so you don’t get to build your own.
- Price: P70+
- Location: 26 Plaridel St. cor. Mabini St. There’s another branch at Brick House Diner’s on Calle Crisologo
- Hours: 9 AM – 8 PM
Sign up now to grab your FREE guide to 50 hidden gems in the Philippines!
2. Casa Jardin Empanada and Okoy 🍴
Casa Jardin sits toward the quieter, more residential edge of the heritage village. They used to operate out of a different, more historical spot before moving here.
Customization is the whole point here. You pick how much papaya, egg, and Vigan longganisa you want, from an all-meat version to the “special” with one portion of everything.
Want more? Go double egg, double meat, or skip the veggies entirely with the meat-and-egg-only option.
Their bestseller loads up on all three. If that’s still not enough, there’s the all-meat Double Double Special, or the Empanada King, a footlong version stacked with extra veggies, extra meat, and three eggs.
Everything’s made-to-order. Then they’ll set you up with a small tray of condiments, or bring them straight to your table, so you can put together your own dip with onions, salt, chili, and vinegar.
What came out of the fryer is an empanada whose shell has a real bite to it and barely any oiliness.
And I think the Vigan longganisa inside is the most flavorful Vigan longganisa I’ve ever tried.
Apparently, this place gets long lines, but I showed up right after lunch on a random Thursday and practically had the place all to myself!
For me, this is the best empanada in Vigan!
- Price: P90+
- Location: 55 Quirino Blvd.
- Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM
3. Emma’s Vigan Empanada & Okoy 🍴
Emma’s is one of the stalls in the food hall at Plaza Burgos. Beware: it’s easy to miss if you’re not specifically looking for it.
There’s no customization here, because you get what you get.
The shell was crispy, and the vegetable is a mix of papaya, cabbage, and carrots inside.
If I remember from my visit in 2023, it was fine. Not too salty, nor oily. It’s a good pick if you’re already at Plaza Burgos and don’t feel like walking further.
- Price: P70
- Location: Plaza Burgos Food Hall
- Hours: 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM
4. Nanang Sion Vigan Empanada 🍴
Nanang Sion is an empanada restaurant with a cozy, bicycle-themed interior.
Their empanada fillings range from vegetable-only, to vegetable with egg, to vegetable with longganisa, up to a supreme version with double of everything.
In between, there’s all-meat, double egg with veggies, and double longganisa with veggies, depending on how loaded you want it.
Toppings add another layer on top of that: garlic, garlic spicy, honey garlic, cheesy, chili cheese, sisig, crispy chicken, bagnet, beef steak, spicy beef, and poqui-poqui, among others.
They also sell bagnet and sukang Iloko, in case you want to bring some home!
- Price: P50+
- Location: Quirino Blvd.
- Hours: 9 AM – 9:30 PM
5. Ashtin Vigan Empanada 🍴
Ashtin is a small eatery, and the variety is simpler here.
You’ve got the regular, double of everything, regular with double meat, regular with double egg, or all-meat if you’d rather skip the veggies.
- Price: P65+
- Location: Calle Salcedo 26
- Hours: 9 AM – 10 PM
Tips for Eating Empanada in Vigan
A few things to know before you dive in:
💵 Bring cash. Most stalls are cash-only, though some take GCash.
🌤️ Expect the heat. Most of these spots are open-air, so don’t expect air conditioning while you wait for your order or dine.
🖐️ Watch your fingers (and your first bite). The oilier ones can get messy if you’re eating with your hands. Also, biting in taco-style might get you a surprise squirt of hot oil.
⏰ Go early or off-peak if a spot’s known for lines. Some stalls, like Casa Jardin, get busy fast. I got lucky showing up right after lunch on a weekday.
🥡 Eat it fresh. Vigan empanada is best straight out of the oil!
📢 Join the community! Make sure you join our Philippines Hidden Gems – Travel Community. This is the place to ask any questions about your trip, to be inspired, and to connect with other Philippines travelers. Click here to join!
Empanada in Vigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion: Empanada in Vigan
That’s my list for the best empanada in Vigan! Each one does it a little differently, and that’s really the appeal, because you’re not just picking one but a whole experience around it.
If you’re still working out your trip, this Vigan itinerary can help you figure out where to fit an empanada stop in.
And for everything else worth eating in the city, my guide to the best restaurants in Vigan has you covered!
🗺️ Travel Resources for Your Ilocos Sur Trip
Planning to visit Vigan or explore the rest of Ilocos Sur? Here are the websites and tools to help you book transportation, hotels, tours, and other travel needs.
How to Get to Ilocos Sur – Book a direct bus from Manila to Vigan through Partas, Farinas Transit, or check routes and prices on 12Go for updated schedules and seat selection.
Where to Book Your Stay – Find colonial-style hotels in Vigan or beachfront stays in towns like Narvacan and Santiago via Booking.com, Agoda, Airbnb, or Vrbo for group stays or unique heritage homes.
Getting Around the Province – Rent a car through Rentalcars.com or Discovercars.com for more freedom, hire tricycles for short town rides, ride a bus or jeepney for long trips within the province, or arrange private vans for group tours through your hotel or local travel agencies.
Book Tours and Activities – Discover Calle Crisologo, Baluarte Zoo, and hidden spots like Pinsal Falls with local guides or book curated tours through Klook, Viator, or GetYourGuide.
Stay Connected – Stay online with an Airalo eSIM, rent pocket WiFi from Klook if you’re traveling with friends, or buy a local SIM from Smart or Globe at convenience stores and terminals in Vigan or nearby cities.
Cash, ATMs, and Payments – Bring pesos for food stalls, tricycles, and small shops, as many places don’t accept cards, and rural areas may have limited ATM access.
Travel Insurance – Protect your trip with flexible coverage from SafetyWing, HeyMondo, or World Nomads, especially if you’re joining outdoor adventures like ziplining or hiking.
Check Out These Recommended Articles:
- Best Food in Vigan: Must-Try Dishes and Where to Eat
- Best Restaurants in Vigan and Other Great Food Spots
- Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Calle Crisologo in Vigan
- Vigan Itinerary: How to Spend 2-3 Days in This Heritage Town
- Best Attractions in Vigan: Things to Do & Places to Visit
About the Author
Hi! I’m Ellie, a matcha lover, creative, and one of the writers behind Philippines Hidden Gems. I travel to document joys: sights that leave you in awe, a patch of nature that asks for nothing, a meal that surprises you, a new restaurant or cafe worth lingering in, and museums and galleries that slow you down. The Philippines has no shortage of these, and I have a particular soft spot for its culinary scene, local businesses, and the stories behind them!
