White flesh
Longtooth grouper (Kue)
【Nigiri sushi: Shiromi】
Longtooth grouper (Kue) is a rare fish. Even experienced fishermen say that catching more than a few in a month is difficult. Despite its large size, its flesh has a fine texture and a moist consistency. The gelatinous layer between the skin and flesh is another distinctive characteristic of kue. Generally, larger specimens are considered to have more fat and a richer flavor. Because it is difficult to use an entire large fish at once, kue is sometimes cut into large blocks and sold at markets such as Toyosu Market, much like tuna.
When properly aged, kue develops a different texture, and its umami becomes more pronounced. The acidity of the sushi rice enhances the umami of the flesh and the sweetness of its fat, resulting in exceptional nigiri sushi. When cooked, the flesh becomes plump, and the distinctive texture of the gelatinous layer between the skin and flesh can be fully appreciated. Kue is highly regarded not only for sushi but also for hot pot dishes, in which the rich flavor of every part of the fish, from the flesh and skin to the bones, can be enjoyed.
In the past, kue was a little-known delicacy enjoyed mainly in areas near its fishing grounds, as exemplified by the kue hot pot dishes of Hakata and Wakayama. It is said that sumo stablemasters and wrestlers in Fukuoka particularly enjoy kue hot pot during the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in November. However, kue is not regularly found in the display cases of high-end sushi restaurants in Tokyo, so opportunities to encounter it are limited.
【What is Kue】
Kue (Longtooth grouper) is distributed from southern Japan to the southwestern Korean Peninsula, the East China Sea, the South China Sea, Taiwan, and the Philippines. It inhabits shallow to deep reef areas along the coast. It is a large grouper, reaching 1.3 m in length and 10 kg in weight. The season is from fall to winter; Kue is a large fish that is seldom caught and is rarely found on the market. Wild Kue is very scarce and expensive, sometimes exceeding US$150 per kg. Therefore, farmed Kue is available in the market, and its price is stable at around US$25~35 per kg.
Some say that the name "kue" came from the pattern on the adult fish's body, which looks like dirt.
【Also known as】
Kelp bass, Saladfish, Kelp grouper.
【Trivia】
In Kyushu area, they call Longtooth grouper (Kue) as Rock-cod (Ara). So people often get confused by how they call them, however they are totally different kinds of fish.
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(Previous revision date: May 14, 2025; Current revision date: October 21, 2026)