Every September, General Santos City bursts into vibrant celebration with its renowned Tuna Festival, a jubilant tribute to the city’s thriving tuna industry. The festivities transform the streets with colorful parades, energetic street dances, and captivating cultural performances that showcase local traditions. Stalls overflow with mouthwatering tuna dishes—from sizzling grilled tuna to spicy kinilaw—offering a true feast for seafood lovers. If you weren’t able to join this year’s action in GenSan, don’t fret—the festivities can continue at home. With foodpanda, you can indulge in the delicious flavors of the Tuna Festival right here in the metro, all without booking a plane ticket.
Grilled Tuna from Anyhow Inasal
Get started with these tuna-packed recommendations (no particular order) that’ll make your at-home Tuna Festival feel just as special:
Anyhow Inasal
(Taguig, Mandaluyong)
Anyhow Inasal is celebrating Pro Week with generous discounts of up to 25% off, making it the perfect time to experience their comforting Filipino-style tuna dishes delivered straight to your table. Their Tuna Tops Sisig reimagines the sizzling, crispy classic by adding tender, flavorful tuna flakes, creating a delectable mix of smoky and savory notes. The Tuna Tops Barbecue and Tuna Tops Teriyaki each offer their own unique takes—one glazed in a sweet and tangy sauce, the other infused with a blend of sweet and savory soy, resulting in truly comforting and satisfying bites with every mouthful.
If you’re craving something heartier, the Tuna Panga Meal presents a spectacular portion of grilled tuna jaw, expertly charred and bursting with rich, smoky goodness, while the Tuna Belly Inasal features juicy cuts of tuna belly marinated and grilled in the classic inasal style, infusing every piece with aromatic spices and a subtle hint of citrus.
Ooma
(Bonifacio High Street | Greenbelt | Rockwell Center | Salcedo | SM Megamall | Molito)
Ooma infuses the Tuna Festival atmosphere with vibrant, bold flavors through its signature tuna dishes. The Spicy Tuna features velvety, sashimi-grade tuna combined with a satisfying tempura crunch, all tossed in a rich, spicy gochujang mayo and finished with a sprinkle of fresh chives. For those seeking an extra burst of flavor, the Spicy Tuna Maki offers the same delectable mix, elevated with popping ebiko that adds a delightful texture and briny finish to every bite. Both dishes are colorful, playful, and bursting with taste, turning any celebration at home into a lively, festive culinary experience.
Watami
(Taguig | Mandaluyong | Pasay | Las Piñas | Quezon City)
Watami infuses Japanese artistry into the Tuna Festival with inventive reinterpretations of this beloved seafood. The Grilled Tuna showcases thick, sashimi-grade tuna steaks grilled with precision, achieving a beautiful smoky char on the outside while preserving their succulent, tender center. Enhancing the tuna’s inherent flavors, each bite offers a harmonious blend of umami richness and delicate smokiness. For a playful twist, the Tuna Taco Aburi features buttery slices of lightly seared tuna nestled in a crisp, golden taco shell, paired with tangy sauces and fresh vegetables—a vibrant fusion dish that’s visually enticing, satisfyingly light, and exquisitely savory.
Ono Poke
(SM Megamall | Food District & Mitsukoshi BGC | Public Eatery Robinsons Magnolia | The Grid Power Plant Mall | Greenhills Mall | UP Town Center)
If you’re searching for something fresh and modern, Ono Poke’s vibrant poke bowls and inventive pokéritos put the spotlight on tuna in the most delicious way. Opt for their classic Shoyu Tuna bowl, featuring gleaming cubes of tender, marinated tuna crowned with delicate strips of toasted nori, a generous dusting of savory furikake, and vibrant orange tobiko. Each bite is clean, briny, and satisfyingly savory, transporting you straight to the seaside.
For those with an adventurous palate, the Aburi Garlic Tuna Bowl offers an exciting twist. Here, expertly torched tuna—slightly smoky and warm—melds with a silky, garlicky mayonnaise, creating a rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience. If you crave bold flavors and texture, the Wasabi Tuna Crunch bowl delivers a punch with its fiery wasabi dressing and a layer of crispy toppings that contrast beautifully with the silky fish.
Not to be missed are their signature pokéritos—oversized sushi burritos that tuck generous portions of tuna, fluffy sushi rice, and vibrant vegetables into a seaweed wrap, all drizzled with bold, tangy sauces. Perfect for wandering the festival grounds, these portable creations bring a burst of flavor to every bite. For a playful shared dish, try their Pokechos, where crispy wonton chips are piled high with fresh, marinated tuna, creamy sauces, and a rainbow of garnishes—turning classic nachos into a memorable seafood feast.
Dampa Express
(Marikina | Pasig | Quezon City)
For those who appreciate hearty, no-frills Filipino flavors, Dampa Express showcases tuna in traditional, mouthwatering ways. Their Tuna Sisig is a vibrant rendition of the beloved pulutan, offering a lighter yet still flavorful alternative by substituting pork with succulent, flaky tuna. Each bite bursts with a sizzling medley of spices, aromatics, and that signature savory punch, served on a hot plate that keeps the dish warm and aromatic to the last bite.
If you crave something smoky and deeply satisfying, the Grilled Tuna Belly is generously marinated in a signature blend of tangy, savory spices, then expertly grilled to smoky, charred perfection, making every slice juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Meanwhile, the Grilled Tuna Panga (jaw) is prized for its rich, buttery texture and flavor-packed tenderness—offering seafood aficionados an irresistibly decadent experience. These specialty dishes bring the comforting, festive spirit and regional flair of General Santos City (GenSan), known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, straight to your dining table, inviting you to savor the tradition and warmth of Filipino communal feasts.
For those who enjoy bold flavors, the Tuna Tops Sweet & Spicy delivers a lively balance of heat and sweetness, and the Tuna Tops Bicol Express comes smothered in a creamy, spicy coconut sauce, adding a vibrant kick to each rice bowl. Each dish promises a delectable, flavor-packed seafood experience perfect for Filipino food lovers.
Whether you’re craving sisig, barbecue, or inasal, Anyhow serves tuna in ways that feel both festive and familiar,perfect for enjoying Tuna Festival vibes any day of the week.
For a budget-friendly favorite, Jollibee’s Tuna Pie is a go-to—crispy, creamy, and easy on the wallet, it’s the perfect merienda treat.
Celebrate Anywhere, Anytime
The Tuna Festival is more than just another local event; it’s an exuberant celebration that showcases the vibrant culture and rich traditions of General Santos City, paying homage to its world-renowned tuna industry. It reminds us of the power of food in bringing communities together for festivities filled with music, color, and shared joy. Thanks to foodpanda, you can experience the festival’s celebrated flavors even if you’re in Manila. With just a few taps on your phone, an array of mouthwatering tuna specialties—freshly prepared and bursting with flavor—can be delivered straight to your home, office, or wherever you choose to celebrate.
So why not bring the festive spirit and distinctive tastes of GenSan to your own table? Savor each bite of these delectable tuna creations, immerse yourself in the joyful atmosphere, and celebrate the Tuna Festival in your own delicious and memorable way.
Download the foodpanda app today and discover even more tuna dishes and seafood favorites near you.
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