Valentine's Week — Special Uni Allocation
We received a number of inquiries asking whether we would carry Uni for Valentine's Day weekend — enough that we decided to bring in a special allocation. Hokkaido Uni is available this week specifically for the occasion. The week's conditions in Japan have not been ideal — heavy snow and inclement weather have disrupted the market, limiting variety and pushing prices upward — but we secured Uni because people asked for it, and Valentine's Day is a reasonable moment to spend on something extraordinary.
Available alongside Uni this week:
- Hotate (Hokkaido Scallops) — arrived as proton-frozen due to the Japanese holiday schedule and will be fully thawed and ready by Thursday
- Fujisan White Salmon — back in limited quantity from Shizuoka
- Frozen Hotaruika (Firefly Squid) — continuing from last week's opening shipment
- Kinmedai (Splendid Alphonsino) — a deep-sea red fish with sweet white flesh, excellent as sashimi
Nagasaki Bluefin Tuna in all cuts is available as always. Order for Valentine's Day delivery or pickup →
Weather in Japan — What It Does to Supply
Heavy snow and storm conditions in Japan this week have had a direct effect on the fishing markets. When weather prevents boats from going out, supply contracts rapidly — catches that would normally arrive at Toyosu Market on Monday simply don't exist. The fish that does arrive commands a higher price because competing for a smaller pool. This is the same supply-demand dynamic that drives Uni price spikes in summer, but driven by weather rather than temperature.
When we tell you that a week's selection is limited or prices are elevated due to market conditions, this is the mechanism. We pass on real prices, not inflated margins, and we tell you why.
Chocolates and Sweets at Rice Market
For those navigating Valentine's Day gift logistics: Rice Market currently has chocolates from @united.flavors and baked goods from @eddie_loves. As of midday Wednesday, United Flavors still had four large boxes and six small boxes of their chocolate assortment in stock, alongside a good selection of Eddie's baked items. Both are in the main floor of Rice Market. If you are picking up fish for the weekend and want to complete the picture, they are right there.
Valentine's pairing suggestion: Otoro and a cold, dry Champagne or sparkling wine is the most direct high-low pairing in the Japanese fish repertoire. The bubbles cut through the fat of the Otoro; the fat softens the wine's acidity. Neither element dominates. It's a combination that rewards both ingredients.