Ilocos Sur is known for it's diverse range of products, each representing tradition, creativity, and heritage. Come and discover the different categories.
Food & Delicacies
Known as the pride of Vigan, Vigan longganisa is a garlicky, tangy native sausage that embodies the authentic flavors of Ilocano cuisine.
What makes it special is its traditional preparation — seasoned with garlic, vinegar, and native spices, then hand-stuffed into natural casings by skilled local makers.
Unlike commercial sausages, Vigan longganisa has a distinct sour and savory taste, making it perfect for breakfast, lunch, or as a special pasalubong.
Where to find it:
Vigan Public Market, Vigan City
Food stalls near Calle Crisologo
Tip: Best enjoyed freshly cooked and paired with sukang Iloko
The Ilocos empanada is one of the most famous Ilocano street foods, known for its crispy orange shell and flavorful filling.
It is stuffed with a mixture of shredded green papaya, egg, and the iconic Vigan longganisa, then fried to golden perfection.
Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by a burst of savory goodness, making it a must-try for anyone visiting the province.
Where to find it:
Empanadahan sa Vigan (near Plaza Burgos)
Stalls along Calle Crisologo
Local night markets during festivals
Tip: Best eaten fresh from the fryer with sukang Iloko for dipping!
Calamay is a sweet, sticky rice delicacy made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar, wrapped carefully in banana leaves or coconut shells.
This traditional treat is a symbol of celebration, often prepared during fiestas, family gatherings, and special occasions across Ilocos Sur.
Its rich, creamy texture and sweet aroma make it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Where to find it:
Local markets and roadside stalls in Bantay, Vigan, and Candon
Pop-up booths during fiestas and the Kannawidan Festival
Selected pasalubong centers
Tip: Fresh calamay is best consumed the same day — warm and soft.
Sukang Iloko is a native sugarcane vinegar that has been a staple in Ilocano kitchens for centuries.
It is carefully fermented using traditional methods, giving it a bold, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor that elevates any dish.
From dipping sauces to marinating meat, sukang Iloko is essential for cooking authentic Ilocano recipes like pinakbet and dinakdakan.
Where to find it:
Vigan Public Market and local sari-sari stores
Specialty shops in Bantay and Santa
Various souvenir shops near Calle Crisologo
Tip: Look for products made by local vinegar makers for authentic flavor.
Ilocos Bagnet is a traditional Ilocano delicacy made from pork belly that is boiled, air-dried, and deep-fried to achieve its signature golden, crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat. This careful, multi-step process takes time and patience, reflecting the skill and dedication of local cooks who have passed down this technique through generations.
The pork is first simmered in spices and salt, allowing the flavors to seep deep into the meat. It is then air-dried under the sun to remove excess moisture before being deep-fried twice, creating that iconic crunch loved by many Filipinos.
Where to find it:
Vigan Public Market (bagnet stalls and pasalubong section)
Calle Crisologo food stalls and restaurants
Bagnet stands during local festivals such as Kannawidan Festival
Tip: Look for freshly fried bagnet with a firm, crispy skin and little oil.
Ilocos Kornick is a classic Ilocano snack made from carefully selected corn kernels that are boiled, sun-dried, and deep-fried until perfectly crunchy. Lightly seasoned with salt or garlic, it offers a simple yet irresistible flavor that has been loved by generations.
This snack reflects the creativity and hard work of local farmers, who make the most of their harvest by turning corn into a product that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. Kornick is often enjoyed as a merienda, pulutan, or a travel snack, making it a staple in many Filipino homes.
Where to find it:
Pasalubong centers along Calle Crisologo
Vigan Public Market (dry goods section)
Local mini stalls near bus terminals and tourist areas
Candon City Trade Center
Tip: For the best flavor, try freshly packed garlic kornick made by local producers.
Textiles & Weaving
Inabel is a handwoven textile deeply rooted in Ilocos Sur’s culture and history.
The word “abel” comes from the Ilocano term meaning “to weave.” Traditionally crafted on wooden looms, inabel fabrics are known for their durability, soft texture, and unique geometric patterns, which often symbolize nature, community, and harmony.
Each piece is patiently woven by skilled artisans, mostly women, who have inherited this craft from their ancestors. Inabel is used to create blankets, table runners, clothing, and other decorative pieces, making it both functional and artistic.
This timeless textile reflects the creativity, discipline, and resilience of the Ilocano people, making it a true cultural treasure.
feel the texture and slight variations in the weave, which make each piece unique.
Where to find it:
Barangay Mindoro Weavers Cooperative (Santa, Ilocos Sur)
Calle Crisologo souvenir and textile shops
Local weaving centers in Santa and Caoayan
Tip: Authentic inabel is handwoven — you can feel the texture and slight variations in the weave, which make each piece unique.
Abel accessories are modern products made using traditional inabel fabric, blending heritage with contemporary fashion.
These include handbags, scarves, wallets, keychains, hats, and fashion pieces, carefully crafted to showcase the beauty of the woven patterns while meeting the needs of today’s users.
By purchasing or promoting abel accessories, you support local artisans and help keep the weaving tradition alive, especially among younger generations.
Each accessory is one-of-a-kind, carrying the essence of Ilocano craftsmanship while providing sustainable livelihood weaving communities.
Where to find it:
Souvenir shops along Calle Crisologo
Barangay Mindoro Weavers Cooperative (Santa, Ilocos Sur)
Local weaving centers in Caoayan and Santiago
Tip: Look for authentic handwoven fabric — machine-made copies feel too smooth compared to the real inabel.
Crafts & Heritage Items
Burnay jars are traditional clay pots made in Vigan City using centuries-old techniques introduced during the Spanish colonial period.
Skilled artisans hand-shape the clay, dry it under the sun, and then bake it in massive brick kilns called dragon kilns. This process makes the jars extremely durable, perfect for storing vinegar (sukang Iloko), basi wine, rice, or water.
Beyond their practical use, burnay jars have become a symbol of Ilocos Sur’s history and craftsmanship, often displayed as cultural decorations or given as tokens of heritage.
Where to find it:
Pagburnayan Pottery District, Vigan City
Fidel Go’s Burnay Workshop
Souvenir shops along Calle Crisologo
Tip: Visit Pagburnayan and watch the potters at work for a more meaningful experience.
Buri crafts are eco-friendly, handwoven products made from the leaves of the buri palm, which grows abundantly in Ilocos Sur.
Local artisans carefully dry, cut, and weave the leaves into a variety of useful and decorative items like hats, baskets, mats, bags, and home decor.
These crafts are not only beautiful but also sustainable, showcasing the community’s resourcefulness and environmental awareness.
Where to find it:
San Esteban, Ilocos Sur (Buri weaving community)
Pasalubong stalls and handicraft stores in Vigan
Weekend pop-up markets during local festivals
Tip: Authentic buri crafts are firm, lightweight, and smell of natural dried palm.
Ilocos Sur’s woodcarving industry highlights the creativity and skill of local artisans.
Using locally sourced wood, artisans create intricate furniture, religious statues, souvenirs, and home decor inspired by both traditional and modern designs.
This craft represents centuries of artistic heritage, with techniques passed down from generation to generation.
Where to find it:
Along National Highway (wood carving shops) in towns like Santa and Bantay
Souvenir stores near Vigan Heritage Village
Pop-up artisan fairs and exhibits
Tip: Hand-carved wood has visible tool marks and unique patterns — no two pieces are the same.
Specialty Items
The highlands of Ilocos Sur, especially in towns like Sigay and Suyo, produce aromatic, high-quality coffee beans grown in cool climates and fertile soil.
Local farmers carefully cultivate and harvest the beans, ensuring that every cup of coffee is rich in flavor and full of heritage.
Where to find it:
Sigay Coffee Farms (direct from farmers)
Vigan Public Market (coffee section)
Pasalubong centers and local cafes in Vigan
Tip: Try buying beans or ground coffee and ask farmers about their process — they love sharing their stories.
Ilocos Sur is home to various locally grown herbs and plants that are used to create natural teas and wellness blends.
These herbal teas, often made from lemongrass, ginger, pandan, and other native plants, are prepared using traditional methods that preserve their natural health benefits.
Drinking these teas connects people to age-old Ilocano healing practices while supporting local herb growers and small-scale producers.
Where to find it:
Local markets and organic stalls in Vigan
Small farmers’ booths during pop-up markets
Selected pasalubong stores along Calle Crisologo
Tip: Ask vendors about the herbs used and their traditional uses — each blend has a story.
Behind every product is a story
Get to know the people who keep Ilocos Sur’s culture alive through their dedication and artistry.