$3.2 Million Bluefin Tuna – A Taste of Tradition – Sells Out in Los Angeles
A slice of a record-breaking bluefin tuna, fetching $3.2 million at a Tokyo auction, was briefly available to diners in Los Angeles before selling out late Thursday, offering a rare and exclusive culinary experience.
The annual New Year auction at the Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo is a longstanding tradition, and this year’s event saw a 535-pound bluefin tuna purchased for a staggering 510.3 million yen – equivalent to approximately $3.2 million USD, or $6,000 per pound. The winning bidder was Kiyoshi Kimura, known as the “Tuna King,” who owns the Sushi Zanmai restaurant chain renowned for its quality yet affordable sushi.
Following the auction, roughly 30 pounds of the prized fish was flown to Sushi Zanmai’s sole U.S. location in Koreatown, Los Angeles. “One of the staff from headquarters brought it by plane,” explained Tiger Nakawake, the general manager of Sushi Zanmai LA, emphasizing the meticulous care taken to preserve the fish’s freshness with temperature-controlled packaging and ice.
Nakawake confirmed that the Los Angeles restaurant consistently sources its bluefin tuna from the Tokyo headquarters, supplementing it with fish from both Japanese and local suppliers. He expressed pride in bringing this symbol of good fortune and tradition to the city. “All the staff were super happy, because we’re the only restaurant in the United States who has ‘World Record Blue Fin Tuna,’” Nakawake stated in an email.
The exceptional quality of bluefin tuna is attributed to its unique flavor profile – a “sweetness and acidity” that is both “refined and perfectly balanced,” according to Nakawake. However, the 535-pound specimen represented an unparalleled level of excellence. “Truly the most elegant and delicious tuna I have ever tasted in the last 50 years,” he said.
Sushi Zanmai LA began serving approximately 1,000 sushi slices crafted from the record-breaking tuna on Thursday, maintaining the chain’s commitment to accessible pricing, with pieces ranging from $4 to $7 depending on the cut. Kimura intended the offering as “a New Year gift and appreciation to all the people in L.A.,” with a limit of one piece per person. However, demand proved overwhelming.
Nakawake announced late Thursday evening that the fish was, “unfortunately, all sold out.” This isn’t the first time Kimura has made headlines with extravagant bids at the annual auction, having also secured winning bids in 2012, 2013, and 2019, as reported by the BBC.
Despite the swift sell-out, Los Angeles sushi enthusiasts still have an opportunity to sample bluefin tuna sourced from the same day as the $3.2 million fish, as Nakawake confirmed a shipment is scheduled to arrive at the L.A. shop and will be available for approximately one week.
Worth a look
