What Is Hamachi Sashimi?

Sashimi is a unique dish in Japanese cuisine, and it’s a type of sushi. It’s sliced pieces of fresh seafood, typically fish and shellfish. If you’ve heard of raw meat slices, you might wonder what is hamachi sashimi. Let’s look into this specialty and its origins.

Hamachi sashimi is made from a fish called Japanese amberjack, often referred to as yellowtail. It’s served as raw, well-treated, fresh slices of meat and is commonly paired with daikon radishes, cucumbers, and shiso leaves. It’s one of the most delicious sushi dishes.

Various raw fish slices in a nice box
This dish is a testament to the fantastic flavors of sushi

What Is Hamachi Sashimi, and Is It Connected to Sushi?

This sashimi is a dish made from raw meat slices from a Japanese fish called yellowtail. It’s one of the most luxurious and delicious dishes you could ask for, and you wouldn’t be wrong if you did.

It’s a sushi dish, commonly served with vegetables and soy sauce. There are various types, from classic tuna and salmon (ahi and sake) to unusual ones like unagi and tako (eel and octopus).

Hamachi is one of the most luxurious kinds, and you can ask for it wherever you can buy sashimi. You may also come across hamachi sushi, as this meat is frequently used to make exotic and tasty recipes.

Is Yellowtail Sashimi Mixed With Other Ingredients?

As mentioned, sliced raw fish is often served with vegetables, and this one is no exception. Since its meat is so tender that it melts in the mouth, it’s often paired with flavors that enhance it. If you use the wrong ingredients, you may undermine it.

Professionals pair it with shredded daikon radishes, cucumbers, and shiso leaf; these go well with the food and serve as a decoration. It’s also often eaten with wasabi-infused soy sauce, which gives it extra tenderness and umami.

There’s also Nobu-style hamachi when hot oil and sauce are poured atop the slices. With this method, the pieces are paper-thin because they warm up and cook from the heat of the oil better; it’s genuinely one of the best recipes for this meat.

A slice of raw fish covered in sauce and green onions
You can eat this delicious dish with hot oil and sauce, Nobu-style

Hamachi Is From a Fish Called Japanese Amberjack, Also Known As Yellowtail

Japanese amberjack, or yellowtail, has many names. Each region in Japan has its name for it, which depends on its age and size. Since it’s so widespread, it’s no wonder it’s so popular in Japan.

The names you’ve likely heard of are hamachi and buri. You’ll be well-understood if you use one of these names in Japan. Japanese amberjack is the longest-farmed species in the country.

One more thing to note is that yellowtail isn’t tuna. There’s yellowfin tuna, which could cause some confusion. If you’re unsure, ask your waiter or services if you order it at home.

Here are some more facts about this interesting fish:

  • Hamachi is a term for younger, smaller yellowtails, and buri is used for adult, large fish,
  • Buri are wild, and hamachi are farmed,
  • It belongs to the Seriola family, and its relatives are Hiramasa and Kanpachi (typical sushi menu offers)
  • The texture is fatty and not fishy, which makes it great for eating raw; if you wonder what this sashimi tastes like – it’s heavenly,
  • In the US, yellowtails are eaten with jalapenos.

What Is the Difference Between Hamachi Sashimi and Carpaccio?

It’s easy to compare this dish with Carpaccio. Carpaccio’s home is Italy, and it’s essentially a dish of raw slices of meat seasoned with vinaigrette and extra-virgin olive oil. So, the Japanese version is the same, but the slice thickness is the most significant difference.

Hamachi Is Good In Any Sliced Form

If you’re curious about how much fish is necessary to make sushi, you’ll be surprised to hear that sometimes sashimi plates require much less of it. This is because there’s only so much seasoned raw meat a person should eat in one sitting.

If you want to try hamachi in carpaccio form, it might be the first and best introduction to eating this lovely dish. Well-seasoned and thin, it’ll be like eating a delicious slice of ham, only better.

Carpaccio served on a plate with garnish and toasted bread
This type of meat can also be made with carpaccio recipes

Only the Best Sashimi-Grade Meat Is Used In Restaurants

There’s a thing like sashimi-grade yellowtail, and that’s what major restaurants use in their menus. There’s something special about using different ingredients to display the appeal of various flavors from their home.

However, most fish that people eat are currently endangered, so for that, and numerous health reasons, it’s recommended to eat them once in a while. But, when you do, make sure it’s this one.