At the start of each year, buyers in Tokyo look forward to Toyosu Fish Market’s Hatsuseri–the first wholesale auction of the year where tuna is always the star of the show.
In Japan, it’s believed that obtaining the top-rated tuna at the first auction will bring good luck, and so Hatsuseri is reliably a high-energy, ceremonial experience filled with auction price tags that are much higher than normal.
So it didn’t come as a surprise when this year’s most expensive Bluefin tuna, which weighed in at 467.38 pounds, was sold for…drumroll, please…a whopping $270,000!
The tuna was purchased jointly by the Michelin-starred sushi restaurant operator Onodera Group (aka Sushi Ginza Onodera) and Tuna wholesaler Yamayuki, and marks the third consecutive year this team purchased the most expensive and highest rated tuna at the first auction of the year.
And though this year’s price didn’t beat the record high (that happened back in 2019) it was about double that of 2022.
Now why should this interest you, you may ask?
Well, this special good luck tuna is making its way to the U.S. locations of Sushi Ginza Onodera, and one of those locations is our very own NYC!
The fish has been broken down at one of Sushi Ginza Onodera’s Tokyo locations, and will find its way to NYC’s Onodera starting next week. Though the tuna cannot be ordered on its own, it will be a part of the restaurant’s omakase menu while supplies last.
Omakase menus can be enjoyed at either $130, $180, or $250 for lunch sessions, or $450 for dinner.
Exact dates of when diners can expect to find the tuna on Onodera’s are TBD, but be sure you keep an eye out so you don’t miss out on your chance to start your year off with an extra boujee dining experience!
📍Sushi Ginza Onodera, 461 5th Ave.