🍖 Bagnet & Pinakbet with Bagnet – A Crispy-Savory Ilocano Experience

 

When in Vigan, one dish you simply can’t leave without trying is the iconic Bagnet—a crunchy, golden slab of deep-fried pork belly that Ilocanos proudly call their own.

During my visit, I asked a local how it gets that extra crispy bite, and they shared a little secret: Bagnet is sun-dried for hours after boiling, then deep-fried to perfection. No wonder it's this crunchy!

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🐷 What is Bagnet?

Bagnet is deep-fried pork belly, usually boiled and air- or sun-dried before it hits the hot oil. The drying process helps make the skin puff up and turn super crispy, almost chicharon-like. It’s a dish rooted in Ilocano tradition—originally created for preservation, which is why it can taste quite salty.

🧂 Personally? I find it too salty when eaten on its own—but when paired with vegetables or dipped in vinegar, it's a delicious balance of flavors!

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🥬 Bagnet in Pinakbet – The Perfect Match

My favorite way to eat Bagnet is when it’s served as part of Pinakbet—a classic Ilocano dish made with mixed vegetables like squash, eggplant, bitter melon, string beans, and sautéed in shrimp paste (bagoong alamang).

The Bagnet acts as the salty meat component—so there's no need to add more seasoning. It adds a rich, savory crunch that cuts through the soft texture of the veggies. It’s hearty, earthy, and uniquely comforting.

🍛 It’s one of those dishes where you can taste the love in every spoonful.

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📍 Where I Had It: Grandpa’s Inn, Vigan

I tried this dish at the charming Grandpa’s Inn Restaurant in Vigan. The ambiance alone is worth the visit—it feels like dining inside a vintage Spanish-era home. Their Pinakbet with Bagnet? Highly recommended!

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🍽️ Tips for Trying Bagnet in Vigan

✅ Pair Bagnet with Sukang Iloko (Ilocos vinegar) to cut the saltiness
✅ Try it with rice and KBL (Kamatis, Bagoong, Lasona – tomato, shrimp paste & onions)
✅ Don’t skip Pinakbet—it’s a proud local staple and best eaten with Bagnet
✅ Best enjoyed fresh and hot; ask if it’s newly cooked!

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📸 A Quick Food Snapshot

• 🐖 Bagnet = Crispy pork belly, salty, crunchy, and deep-fried perfection
• 🥘 Pinakbet with Bagnet = Local vegetables sautéed with shrimp paste and topped with Bagnet
• 📍 Where to try: Grandpa’s Inn Restaurant, Vigan City

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🥄 Explore the flavors of Ilocos—try Bagnet and Pinakbet the way locals love it. Don’t forget the vinegar dip!