Yellowfin

Fish

Yellowfin

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), sold as ahi in Hawaii, is a tropical tuna with firm red flesh, moderate fat, and clean meaty flavour—less fatty than bluefin, often more available for steaks and poke. Bright translucent colour and tight grain mark quality; brown edges and soft flesh signal age or poor handling. Loins, steaks, and saku blocks are standard cuts. Sear rare, cube for poke and tartare, grill as steaks, or can as light meat. Prefer pole-and-line or well-managed purse-seine sources when possible. Sushi service requires continuous cold chain. Cook only the exterior if you want steakhouse rare; full well-done dries the lean muscle. Distinct from yellowtail (a jack, not a tuna).

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Unit

Cuts & parts

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

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Characteristics

Preparations

BlanchedChilledCuredDicedDriedFermentedFreshFrozenGrilledHalvedMincedPickledRoastedSaltedSlicedSmokedSteamedWhole

Provenance

ASC CertifiedDay BoatFree SwumHand FilletedHook and LineLine-CaughtMSC CertifiedOrganicPole-CaughtResponsibly SourcedSeasonalSustainable

Sources

AquacultureIndoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

FirmLeanMeatyMoistPaleRich

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 130

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 4.84 g
  • Saturated Fat 1.05 g
  • Trans Fat 0 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 1.98 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 2.08 g
  • Cholesterol 57.9 mg
  • Sodium 80.3 mg
  • Salt 0.21 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 0 g
  • Dietary Fibre 0 g
  • Total Sugars 0 g
  • Complex / starch 0 g
  • Protein 18.5 g
  • Water 76.5 g
Detailed nutrients

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 Yellowfin.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

Grading systems

Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.

Japan

Sashimi Grade

United States

NOAA / Commercial

History

Coastal and river fishing for yellowfin and related species supplied essential protein long before agriculture spread globally.

Salting, drying, smoking, and fermenting extended the shelf life of yellowfin and enabled long-distance trade.

Ice preservation and railway transport brought fresh yellowfin to inland cities beyond fishing ports.

Industrial freezing, aquaculture, and global logistics made yellowfin widely available in international markets.

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