Beginning the Year 2026 with Winter Tuna

As we welcome the New Year, we extend our warmest wishes for a year filled with balance, good health, and thoughtful moments at the table.

In sushi, the beginning of the year often coincides with a season of clarity, when ingredients reach a quiet and refined peak.

This month, we recommend tuna.

Winter is a time when tuna settles into one of its most balanced states, shaped by colder waters and slower movement.

As ocean temperatures drop, the flesh tightens, giving the fish a firmer structure and a cleaner expression of flavor.

Richness and umami are present, but measured, never excessive.

What makes winter tuna particularly notable is this sense of restraint.

The fat is evenly distributed, the texture remains composed, and the flavor lingers without weight.

When handled carefully, the fish requires little embellishment.

Precise knife work and attention to temperature are enough to reveal its natural depth.

At the counter, tuna often sets the tone for the omakase.

Its balance allows the progression to unfold calmly, with each piece served at the moment it is meant to be enjoyed.

Rather than commanding attention, winter tuna invites focus, encouraging the diner to slow down and notice subtle changes in texture and taste.

For these reasons, tuna stands out this month.

Its character reflects the season itself: steady, focused, and unhurried.

As the New Year begins, winter tuna offers a fitting way to mark the transition through balance, simplicity, and quiet confidence.

If you find yourself welcoming the New Year in Honolulu, Hawaii, we invite you to take a seat at the counter of Sushi Ichika and experience winter tuna as it is meant to be enjoyed — simply prepared, thoughtfully served, and best appreciated in the moment.