Our Paradise Philippines

When you’re in the town proper of Vigan, besides the new McDonald’s and the Vigan Cathedral is a small cluster of eateries where local townfolks and tourists converge during lunch or merienda time. Vigan folks call this place, “empanadahan.” Obviously the reason for the name is because it is in this place where you will find the best empanada in Vigan. Empanada is a famous delicacy/food fare in the Ilocos region. In fact both Vigan and Laoag have their own versions of the empanada.

For P35 (approx. less than a $1), you’ll have a hot empanada which is actually a mixture of vegetables with one whole egg on the center and wrapped in locally made dough. The dough is then dip fried in a boiling hot cooking oil. Right after the dough turned orange, it is then taken out of the frying pan and served on a platter with the famous Ilocos vinegar (vinegar mixed with various spices - onions, sili, ground pepper).

Vigan’s empanada is definitely for the health freak, as you could just imagine the amount of calories you’re going to take per a piece of the Empanada. But if you just happen to be on a tour of Ilocos, one or two empanadas would not do your diet any harm.

And this is how they make this famous empanada. Enjoy!