Place: The Vigan Empanadaan at Plaza Burgos (City of Vigan, Ilocos Sur)
Date: 28 May 2008

I remember the very first time I went to Vigan summer of 2006. Just a day before sister and I left, I called my friend Noli to tell about it and he told me that famous quote, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” He already visited the place long before I did, so he gave me a rundown of things to do, and foods to eat.

I did take his advice, and although the places I have visited here in Vigan aren’t always the same (I have been here 5 times), there’s one common thread that links all the visits: the Vigan empanada. Of course, what’s the point of visiting a new place if you won’t eat that one distinct food that associated with the place, right?

There are lots of establishments (may it be house or a small food shop) that sell this food, but one of the most popular places to eat this food would be the food place by the Plaza Burgos. Here, you can choose to buy your empanada among the four sellers, so if there’s a line at one of the sellers, you may choose to buy at another one. Actually, aside from the empanada, you can also buy its famous counterpart, the Okoy.

*** A shot of the empanadaan in Plaza Burgos ***

*** Vigan Empanada ***

*** Okoy ***

*** Me about to eat empanada and okoy, picture taken August 2007 ***

The empanada is a vintage snack of the Biguenos (people from Vigan). This delicious snack, similar to the Mexican Taco is basically sauteed cabbage or young papaya with egg and Vigan sausage stuffed in a crispy shell made from ground rice. The okoy on the other hand, is a patty like food made from dissolved cornstarch with small shrimps, and other ingredients.

There are two kinds of empanadas, the regular (small) one that only has vegetables inside costs 5 pesos each. The special (big) one has an egg and pieces of the Vigan sausage and costs about 35 pesos each. As for the okoy, it costs about 30 pesos a piece. Both are best enjoyed when dipped in a spiced Sukang Iloko (Ilocano red cane vinegar).

The empanadas sold here in the plaza has shredded cabbage as its main filling. If you prefer the one with grated young papaya, you can check out Irene’s Empanada, but you have to walk more from the Plaza towards the Calle Crisologo. If you ask me, I prefer the papaya one, because the empanada with cabbage, although tasted good, taste a lot like vegetable spring rolls. When it comes to the dip, I sprinkle a dash of salt into my dip because the salt adds a lot more flavor to the food.

So when you have the chance to go to Vigan, I hope you will drop by Plaza Burgos and order some empanada (or okoy). I am sure you will love it!

This post concludes my Summer 2008 vacation. A really great vacation, indeed!

*** Jenn ***