What is ōtoro in sushi?大トロ
This time, I looked into the various names and seasons for sushi ōtoro.
How to call ōtoro
【ōtoro】fatty portion of tuna belly オオトロ 大トロ
Otoro refers to the belly part of the tuna. It is extremely popular as a fatty and rare sushi topping. The most famous types of tuna include bluefin tuna”,southern bluefin tuna”, bigeye tuna”, andyellowfin tuna”. Bluefin tuna is known as a successful fish and has different names depending on its growth process. Yokowa (young fish) → Meji tuna (about 20 kg) → Chubo tuna (30-40 kg), anything larger than this is called bluefin tuna. In addition, there are some areas that are called “Sibi Kuroshibi”.
The peak season for ōtoro
Otoro is considered the most luxurious part of tuna, and its taste is exceptional. In particular, large fatty tuna caught in the winter, when it is in season, are said to be very delicious due to its high fat content.
Otoro is the ventral part of the tuna’s body, and it is called Otoro” because it is especially fatty. From this part, you can getfatty tuna” that has a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Big fatty tuna is in season from December to January when it is caught in the waters around Japan, but as it is a migratory fish, the timing may vary depending on the year.
The taste of otoro is packed with sweetness and umami, and its fat has a low melting point, so it melts in your mouth instantly. For this reason, otoro is treated as the highest quality sushi topping at sushi restaurants.
In addition, otoro is also expensive, with its wholesale price being around 20,000 to 25,000 yen per kg. For this reason, otoro is considered a luxury food ingredient.
Otoro can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including sashimi, sushi, and grilled fish. In particular, fatty tuna caught during the season stands out for its freshness and goes well with any type of dish.
In this way, fatty tuna has become an ingredient that attracts attention, especially during the winter season when it is in season, due to its delicious taste and luxurious feel. Please enjoy fresh and delicious fatty tuna during this seasonal season.
