Review ｜ Laoag Commercial Complex ★★★★★
The Laoag Commercial Complex is a street market the can be found a few hundred meters east of the city center. There are hawkers selling regional staples, like Longganisang Iloko and empanadas. There are also vendors selling fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as a variety of other items that local people need.
The atmosphere is fun, the prices are low, and food is served up quickly. I was surprised that my empanadas were made and fried when I ordered them, as there were half a dozen already cooked and just sitting. Certainly not complaining, as the fresher the better. While I wasn’t exactly bowled over by the quality of my food, it was adequate. I did like that I could pick some fresh fruit, like mangosteen, on my way back to my hotel.
I wouldn’t say you should go out of your way to visit this street market, as it is just a hundred meters of shops and table on a street repurposed for pedestrians. If you happen to be walking by and are looking for a snack, you can do worse.
Opening Hours & Seating
As for what’s opened and when, it really depends on the shop. There appeared to be vegetable and fruit deals there all day, but vendors making hot food just seemed to be there around dinner time. In short, don’t plan your day, or even your meals, around this place.
The shops selling hot food do have tables and chairs on the street, but they seem to be controlled by each shop. So, if you buy something from a particular vendor, you have to sit in their area, which is all totally unmarked. I actually didn’t know this was told I had to move to a different table part way through my meal. Not a big deal but the staff seemed really embarrassed that they had to tell me to move.
Need more information about the Philippines?
View our full write up on Laoag HERE.
Look at our full write up on Vigan HERE.
Check out our full write up on Manila HERE. (Coming soon)
See our full write up on Angeles City HERE. (Coming soon)
Read our full write up on Cebu HERE. (Coming soon)
Contact & General Information
Price: Cheap
Hours: 8am-7pm for fruits and vegetables & 5pm-8pm (roughly)
Website: None
Location: Google
