Tulingan Bistek (Braised Bullet Tuna in Soy Sauce and Onion)

August 9, 2025

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Tulingan bistek is a scrumptious method to benefit from the daring taste of bullet tuna cooked within the traditional bistek model. This dish combines fried fish with a savory sauce manufactured from soy sauce, calamansi, and onions, leading to an ideal pairing for heat steamed rice.

By: Vanjo Merano Depart a Remark Printed: 8/8/25

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Tulingan bistek is one in all my fish model of bistek tagalog. The mix of fried tulingan and a savory braising sauce creates a wealthy and satisfying meal. I’ve all the time loved the way in which the onions add sweetness and steadiness to the fish, whereas calamansi juice brings brightness to each chew. That is a kind of dishes that immediately jogs my memory of the Philippines.

What’s Tulingan Bistek?

Tulingan bistek is a Filipino dish that swaps beef for tulingan, or bullet tuna, whereas protecting the identical soy sauce, calamansi, and onion flavors that outline conventional bistek. The fish is fried first to develop a wealthy texture and taste, then simmered within the savory sauce so it absorbs all of the seasonings. This makes it a lighter but equally satisfying various to the meat model.

Components for Tulingan Bistek

Tulingan – meaty bullet tuna that holds its texture nicely when fried and simmered
Calamansi – gives a brilliant and tangy taste that balances the richness of the fish
Garlic – provides depth and a aromatic aroma to the dish
Ginger – provides a heat, barely spicy observe that enhances the fish
Onion – sliced into rings so as to add sweetness and texture
Soy sauce – the salty, umami base of the bistek sauce
Sugar – balances the saltiness and acidity
Maggi Magic Sarap – enhances the general taste with a well-rounded seasoning
Floor black pepper – provides gentle warmth and spice
Water – for simmering and mixing flavors
Cooking oil – used for frying the fish and sautéing the aromatics

The right way to Cook dinner Tulingan Bistek

Marinate the fish
Mix tulingan, calamansi juice, soy sauce, and garlic in a bowl. Combine nicely and let it marinate for half-hour.
Fry the tulingan
Warmth oil in a pan. Fry the marinated tulingan slices till golden brown. Take away from the pan and put aside.
Sauté the aromatics
Discard extra oil, leaving about 3 tablespoons within the pan. Sauté the remaining garlic till golden brown, then add ginger and onion. Cook dinner till the onion turns into barely mushy.
Begin the sauce
Pour the remaining marinade into the pan. Add water and produce to a boil.
Simmer the fish
Add the fried tulingan into the pan. Decrease the warmth and simmer for half-hour, including water as wanted.
Season and end
Stir in sugar, floor black pepper, and Maggi Magic Sarap. Add the onions and prepare dinner for one more 5 minutes earlier than serving.

Suggestions in Cooking Tulingan Bistek

Marinate the fish simply lengthy sufficient for taste to penetrate with out overpowering the tulingan’s pure style.
Frying earlier than simmering retains the fish intact and enhances its taste.
Add onions close to the tip for a recent crunch and pure sweetness.
Cut back the sauce barely earlier than including the fish for a richer, extra concentrated taste.

Greatest Methods to Get pleasure from Tulingan Bistek

Serve tulingan bistek sizzling with freshly cooked white rice. The sauce is savory, barely tangy, and excellent for spooning over rice. For selection, pair it with stir-fried greens or a crisp aspect salad to steadiness the richness of the fish.

What Makes This Tulingan Bistek Stand Out

What makes this tulingan bistek particular is its steadiness of flavors and textures. The fish’s agency meat holds up nicely to frying and simmering, whereas the calamansi and soy sauce create a tangy-savory sauce. The contact of Maggi Magic Sarap ties every little thing collectively for a well-rounded style.

What to Have with It

Shrimp Fried Rice with Sausage (Vietnamese Fried Rice Recipe) – a flavorful rice dish with shrimp and sausage that pairs completely with bistek sauce
Fried Pork Stomach – crispy and savory, a wonderful aspect to steadiness the tangy fish
Bicol Categorical – creamy and spicy pork dish for a richer, bolder meal mixture

Steadily Requested Questions

Can I take advantage of different sorts of fish for bistek?

Sure. You may substitute tulingan with bangus, tilapia, or galunggong, although cooking occasions might differ.

What’s the easiest way to cut back the sturdy fishy odor of tulingan?

Marinating in calamansi juice and frying earlier than simmering, together with sauteeing in ginger helps scale back the odor whereas enhancing taste.

Can I make this dish forward of time?

Sure. In truth, letting it sit for a couple of hours or in a single day may also help the flavors develop additional.

Do I have to take away the top and tail of the tulingan?

That is non-compulsory and based mostly on choice. Some favor to maintain them for added taste throughout simmering. Some individuals pull the tails off to take away the toxins from the fish blood. You may as well simply break the tail to let the blood drip.

This tulingan bistek is a kind of recipes that makes you wish to attain for a second serving of rice. I hope you give it a attempt at dwelling and luxuriate in the identical comforting flavors which have made it a household favourite in my kitchen for years.

Watch How To Cook dinner Tulingan Bistek

@panlasangpinoyog
Tulingan Bistek #fyp #tiktokfood #recipe 2 lbs tulingan, sliced into serving items 5 items calamansi, juiced 6 cloves garlic, crushed ½ thumb ginger, minced 2 onions, sliced into rings ½ cup soy sauce ½ teaspoon sugar 4 grams Maggi Magic Sarap ¼ teaspoon floor black pepper 1 cup water, for simmering ¼ cup cooking oil, for frying and sautéing Mix tulingan, calamansi juice, soy sauce, and garlic in a bowl. Combine and marinate for half-hour. Warmth oil in a pan. Fry the tulingan slices till golden brown. Take away from the pan. Discard extra oil, leaving about 3 tablespoons. Sauté the remaining garlic till golden brown. Add ginger and onion. Cook dinner till the onion turns barely mushy. Pour the remaining marinade into the pan. Add water. Deliver to a boil. Add the fried tulingan into the pan. Decrease the warmth and simmer for half-hour. Be aware: add water as wanted. Season with sugar, floor black pepper, and Maggi Magic Sarap. Add the onions and inexperienced onions. Cook dinner for five minutes. Switch to a serving plate. Serve sizzling with rice.
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