Fish
Bigeye
Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) is a deep-swimming tuna with rich, fatty flesh valued for sashimi and steaks—often deeper red and more oil-marbled than yellowfin. Flavour is robust and luxurious when sushi-grade; large loins are cut into akami and toro-style portions. High quality depends on careful handling and cold chain. Serve raw, seared, or grilled rare; long cooking dries the meat. Mercury and stock-status guidance apply—choose reputable sources. Distinct from bigeye the fish name used loosely for other species in some markets—confirm Thunnus obesus for true bigeye tuna.
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Cuts & parts
Breeds & varieties
A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
Characteristics
Preparations
Provenance
Sources
Traits
Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 4.97 g
- Saturated Fat 1.07 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 2.15 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 2.04 g
- Cholesterol 55.6 mg
- Sodium 79.2 mg
- Salt 0.21 g
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 0 g
- Complex / starch 0 g
- Protein 21.3 g
- Water 71.4 g
- Energy 139 kcal
- Water 71.4 g
- Protein 21.3 g
- Animal Protein 20.2 g
- Fat 4.97 g
- Saturated Fat 1.07 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 2.15 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 2.04 g
- Vitamins 46.4 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.1 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.15 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 3.98 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.69 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.39 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 2.9 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 11.5 µg
- Vitamin B12 — Cobalamin 2.2 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin D 1.4 µg
- Vitamin E 0.56 mg
- Vitamin K 0.5 µg
- Minerals 332 mg
- Major Minerals 273 mg
- Trace Minerals 58.6 mg
- Salt 0.21 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.21 g
- Cholesterol 55.6 mg
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-b12-cobalamin: 2.2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.1 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.15 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 3.98 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.69 · vitamin-b6: 0.39 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 2.9 · vitamin-b9-folate: 11.5 · vitamin-d: 1.4 · vitamin-e: 0.56 · vitamin-k: 0.5 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 79.18 · Potassium: 157 · Calcium: 37 · Iron: 1.2 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 57 ·
Fish flesh is lean to oily depending on species; marine omega-3s rise in fatty fish.
In the kitchen
Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Bigeye.
Pairs well with
Classic and complementary matches
Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
History
Japanese sashimi markets valued fatty tuna species including bigeye for premium raw service.
Industrial longline fisheries expanded bigeye landings for global sashimi and canning.
Air-freight tuna loins made bigeye a restaurant sushi staple outside Japan.
Sustainability campaigns pushed traceability for bigeye and other tuna stocks.