Must-try Foods of Vigan: Vigan Longganisa and Vigan Empanada

Vigan Longganisa

During our visit in Vigan in December of 2022, we were served with Longsilog for our breakfast at the hotel. Of course the longganisa served was the Vigan longganisa. I remember how filling it was that we could last our tours from morning to lunch without needing a snack in between.

Vigan Longganisa is a sausage made of ground pork meat and fat, flavored with salt, pepper, and garlic. Compared to other Filipino longganisa variants, this particular longganisa from Vigan has more fat and has stronger garlicky flavor.

Vigan Longganisa can be eaten any time of the day but it is usually served fried for breakfast with fried egg and spiced vinegar– the Longsilog (longganisa with itlog (egg) ) like the ones we had at the hotel. Vigan Longganisa can also be used as an ingredient in other Ilocano dishes like Vigan Empanada, which brings me to my other favorite Ilocano dish—

Vigan Empanada

Unlike the Vigan Longganisa, which is usually served at breakfast, Vigan Empanada is more commonly eaten as a snack or a light meal, served with spiced vinegar.

The Vigan Empanada we had during our visit had crushed Vigan longganisa, shredded cabbage, and egg— all contained in a crust. These were then deep-fried to have that thin and crispy shell, making it uniquely Vigan Empanada.