Copius
Greater amberjack (kanpachi), drawn for Copius

Greater amberjack (kanpachi)

Sériole couronnée (kanpachi)

Latin nameSeriola dumerili
FamilyFish & seafood
OriginKyushu & the western Pacific
Season (France)June – September
FlavourSweet · Delicate · Rich · Marine
Typical price (France)40–70 €/kg

What it is

The Japanese name is read off the head: a dark band runs from each eye to the dorsal fin, and from above the pair draw the character for eight, hachi, between the eyes. It is a different Seriola from buri and runs the opposite calendar - lean and firm through the summer, when winter yellowtail is at its worst.

In the kitchen

It holds a slice better than buri, so cut sashimi thicker, eight to ten millimetres, and let the texture carry it. Salt and sudachi suit it better than the fatty soy treatments that flatter winter yellowtail.

Goes with

Soy sauce Wasabi Sudachi Daikon Shiso Ponzu Junmai sake Salt

Same species

Japanese amberjack (buri)

In season alongside

Brill Arctic char Crayfish Dentex Lobster Spiny lobster

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