Japan's Sushi World: 'Tuna King' Breaks Bank with Record-Shattering £2.4m Catch
In a stunning display of sushi supremacy, 243kg bluefin tuna seller Kiyoshi Kimura has dished out a staggering 510.3 million yen (£2.4m) at Tokyo's prestigious Tsukiji market. The "Tuna King" has set a new benchmark for the high-stakes auction circuit, eclipsing last year's record of 333.6 million yen.
Kimura expressed bewilderment at the price surge, admitting that he had expected to secure his prized catch at a lower rate. However, as the minutes ticked away under the pre-dawn auction lights, the value of the bluefin skyrocketed, catching him off guard. For Kimura's sake, though, every yen will be worth it – after all, this is no ordinary fish.
The 243kg specimen, hauled in from Japan's northern coast, has been expertly turned into sushi rolls for sale at Kimura's restaurant chain, fetching a modest 500 yen (£2.40) per roll. But that didn't stop customers from flocking to the renowned eatery to taste the 'auspicious tuna', with some patrons singing its praises long after their meal was gone.
For young Minami Sugiyama, who sampled the prized catch at Kimura's restaurant in Tsukiji, it marked a promising start to the year. "I feel like I've begun the year in a good way," she told AFP. Fellow diner Kiyoshi Nishimura, a Shinto priest, echoed her sentiments, describing the dish as having an undeniable sweetness and richness that left him feeling 'happy'.
Meanwhile, the bluefin tuna market has struggled to regain its footing since the pandemic hit, with restaurants scaling back operations to minimize losses. However, Kimura's record-breaking purchase serves as a beacon of hope for Tokyo's once-thriving tuna auction circuit, reminding buyers and sellers alike of the enduring allure of Japan's finest seafood delicacies.
In a stunning display of sushi supremacy, 243kg bluefin tuna seller Kiyoshi Kimura has dished out a staggering 510.3 million yen (£2.4m) at Tokyo's prestigious Tsukiji market. The "Tuna King" has set a new benchmark for the high-stakes auction circuit, eclipsing last year's record of 333.6 million yen.
Kimura expressed bewilderment at the price surge, admitting that he had expected to secure his prized catch at a lower rate. However, as the minutes ticked away under the pre-dawn auction lights, the value of the bluefin skyrocketed, catching him off guard. For Kimura's sake, though, every yen will be worth it – after all, this is no ordinary fish.
The 243kg specimen, hauled in from Japan's northern coast, has been expertly turned into sushi rolls for sale at Kimura's restaurant chain, fetching a modest 500 yen (£2.40) per roll. But that didn't stop customers from flocking to the renowned eatery to taste the 'auspicious tuna', with some patrons singing its praises long after their meal was gone.
For young Minami Sugiyama, who sampled the prized catch at Kimura's restaurant in Tsukiji, it marked a promising start to the year. "I feel like I've begun the year in a good way," she told AFP. Fellow diner Kiyoshi Nishimura, a Shinto priest, echoed her sentiments, describing the dish as having an undeniable sweetness and richness that left him feeling 'happy'.
Meanwhile, the bluefin tuna market has struggled to regain its footing since the pandemic hit, with restaurants scaling back operations to minimize losses. However, Kimura's record-breaking purchase serves as a beacon of hope for Tokyo's once-thriving tuna auction circuit, reminding buyers and sellers alike of the enduring allure of Japan's finest seafood delicacies.