What Is Hamachi? 4 Ways to Serve Hamachi

Hamachi is a type of sushi-grade fish that is a younger version of yellowtail (often called “Buri” in Japan) typically farm-raised for greater fat content. It is a staple of Japanese cuisine and forms the base of many sushi-style raw fish dishes at sushi bars worldwide. Hamachi has a mild taste and a firm, buttery texture that sushi novices love. Yellowtail hamachi is distinct from yellowfin tuna (and yellowtail tuna), a species from the Carangidae family, which includes mackerels.

Three different types of fish fall under the yellowtail classification, including gold-striped amberjack (“Hiramasa”), greater amberjack (“Kanpachi”), and Japanese amberjack (“Buri”), but sashimi-grade hamachi typically comes from Japanese amberjack.

Hamachi has many different names in different regions of Japan, such as “wakashi” in the Kanto region, “inada” in Warasa, or the names “tsubasu” or “mejiro” in Kansai.

The most common way to prepare hamachi is sushi, but many appetizers and main dishes incorporate this flavorful fish.

1. 1. Hamachi donburi: Donburi means “bowl” in Japanese, but it's also a catch-all term for rice bowls. There are endless varieties of this Japanese dish that incorporate vegetables, meat, seafood, and eggs cooked with flavorful seasonings—all on top of plain, steamed white rice. You can cook or serve hamachi raw as an accompaniment to your favorite donburi.
2. 2. Hamachi maki: Makizushi (also known as maki sushi and norimaki) is rolled sushi. Maki rolls can take many forms, whether small or large, hand-rolled or formed in a makisu (bamboo mat)—but they always feature sushi rice and toppings wrapped together in toasted nori seaweed. Hamachi maki rolls typically include scallion for a vegetal crunch that perfectly complements the buttery flavor of hamachi.
3. 3. Hamachi nigiri: Nigirizushi, or nigiri, consists of an oblong ball of sushi rice typically topped with a little wasabi and a slice of raw fish. Hamachi nigiri is a common staple of sushi restaurants and often appears in Omakase spreads. A single slice of jalapeño often tops hamachi nigiri.
4. 4. Hamachi sashimi: Sashimi is a Japanese presentation of raw fish or meat, sliced thin and eaten alongside an assortment of garnishes and condiments like freshly grated ginger and wasabi, shredded daikon radish, minty shiso leaves, and a dipping sauce like soy sauce or ponzu. Hachimi is a popular option for sashimi, and some chefs will even grill their sashimi or toast it with a blowtorch slightly before eating.

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