Turn up the heat like it’s Thrilla: Must-try knockout spicy dishes
Five decades ago, the world witnessed history unfold at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier faced off in the iconic Thrilla in Manila. Today, Araneta City keeps that fighting spirit alive, and the thrill continues just a few steps away — not in the ring, but on the plate. Instead of punches, it’s the spice that lands the hits. Even Ali Mall, the country’s first major shopping mall, was named in honor of the boxing legend — a lasting tribute to his triumph in the historic bout.
From tongue-tingling noodles to chili-loaded wings and lava-like sauces, these spicy dishes from Araneta City’s hottest restaurants are sure to make one break a sweat and crave for more.
Ready to feel the scorching heat? Here’s where one can find the spiciest eats worthy of a knockout. These picks promise to turn the heat on.
a mano
Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2
Named after the Italian word for “devil,” the Diavola Pizza from a mano is as sinfully good as it sounds. Loaded with spicy salami, chili oil, and creamy mozzarella on a crisp wood-fired crust, each bite delivers a gentle burn that builds up like a slow uppercut.
Pound x Flatterie
Upper Ground A, Gateway Mall 2
With Pound x Flatterie’s bold menu of sliders, burgers, flatbreads, and wings already flirting with fiery flavours, introducing six of the hottest sauces from the Philippine Hot Sauce Club could amplify the spiciest rumble of appetite. Yes, it is exclusively available at their branch in Gateway Mall 2.
Dario Pizza & More
World Kitchens, Level 4 Gateway Mall 2
Living up to its explosive name, Pizza Bomba fires up the palate with a bold mix of mozzarella, tomato salsa, and spicy toppings. Loaded with savory ham, bacon, salami, onions, artichokes, mushrooms, and olives, each slice lands a flavorful punch. A true knockout for pizza lovers who like a little heat.
Mesa
Ground Floor, Ali Mall
Mesa delivers a one-two punch of spice with its Spicy Sizzling Shrimp and classic Bicol Express. Both dishes bring knockout heat — the shrimp sizzles with chili and garlic, while the Bicol Express fires up creamy coconut sauce with a bold kick of siling labuyo. A true flavor bout worthy of the Thrilla in Manila’s 50th anniversary.
Kureji
Ground Floor, Ali Mall
Kureji brings the heat with its Spicy Tomato Sizzling Ramen, a fiery twist that bubbles and steams like a boxing ring on fight night. The rich tomato broth and bold chili kick deliver punch after punch of flavor — a true Thrilla in a bowl for spice lovers
In a place where history and food meet, these dishes honor the legacy of Thrilla in Manila—tough, unforgettable, and full of flavor. Whether you’re slurping down ramen, cracking open a chili crab, or biting into fiery wings, Araneta City has plenty of ways to relive the Thrilla in Manila spirit — one spicy dish at a time. Fifty years later, the heat is still on.
