Must-Try Foods In Plaza Salcedo (Vigan) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Plaza Salcedo, Vigan, Philippines

Plaza Salcedo is a historic landmark in Vigan, Philippines, with a rich cultural heritage that includes its culinary traditions. Vigan's cuisine is a mixture of Spanish, Chinese, and indigenous Filipino influences, reflected in the diverse flavors and dishes found in the region. Named after the Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo, the plaza has been a center of community life since the colonial era, and food has always played an integral role in its history. Vigan is particularly known for its savory and sweet delicacies, many of which are still prepared using age-old recipes.

Top 10 Must-Try Food Dishes in Plaza Salcedo, Vigan

1. Empanada - Non-veg: These crispy turnovers are filled with Vigan longganisa (local sausage), green papaya, and egg, then deep-fried to golden perfection.
2. Pinakbet - Veg: A traditional Ilocano vegetable stew flavored with fermented fish sauce. It usually contains squash, bitter melon, eggplant, and okra.
3. Bagnet - Non-veg: A crispy, deep-fried pork belly dish often enjoyed with a side of pickled vegetables or eaten with plain rice.
4. Sinanglao - Non-veg: This is a flavorful soup dish made with beef innards and clear broth, typically seasoned with native vinegar and sprinkled with kamias (bilimbi).
5. Poqui-poqui - Veg: A simple yet tasty Ilocano dish made from grilled eggplants sautéed with tomatoes, onions, and garlic.
6. Dinengdeng - Veg: Another vegetable stew much like pinakbet but made with fewer ingredients and without fermented fish sauce.
7. Inabraw - Non-veg: A dish similar to dinengdeng, often made with river fish or shrimp and cooked with a variety of local vegetables.
8. Longganisa - Non-veg: Vigan's version of the Philippine sausage is garlicky, tangy, and slightly sweet, commonly served for breakfast.
9. Bibingka - Veg: This is a sweet rice cake that's usually made from milled glutinous rice, coconut milk, and sugar, and cooked in clay pots lined with banana leaves.
10. Kalamay - Veg: A sticky and sweet delicacy made from glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, and jaggery (unrefined sugar), perfect as a dessert or snack.

Top Famous Restaurants in Plaza Salcedo, Vigan

Café Leona

Address: Calle Crisologo, Vigan City

Famous for: Pinakbet Pizza – Veg: A unique fusion dish that combines the flavors of the traditional pinakbet with the Italian classic pizza.

Cafe Uno

Address: 1 Bonifacio St., Plaza Burgos, Vigan City

Famous for: Vigan Longganisa – Non-veg: Savory local sausages known for their distinct garlicky and spicy taste.

Irene's Vigan Empanada

Address: Plaza Burgos, Vigan City

Famous for: Empanada – Non-veg: The beloved Ilocano empanada, a perfect snack filled with local flavors.

Lilong and Lilang Restaurant

Address: Hidden Garden, Katipunan St. Vigan City

Famous for: Bagnet – Non-veg: Crispy and flavorful fried pork belly that's a must-try Ilocos specialty.

Marsha's Delicacies

Address: Liberation Blvd., Vigan City

Famous for: Bibingka – Veg: Enjoy their soft and warm bibingka, a traditional Filipino rice cake that pairs well with coffee or tea.