Why Black Throat Sea Perches are so expensive.
Thanks to the delicate complex flavor, which is oily but not greasy, tender but has a powerful punch, unique all together and the tender meat of the black throat sea perch, the black throat sea perch is high in demand in every culture.
Also, as black throat sea perches cannot be fish farmed. The meat of the black throat sea perch (nodoguro, akamutsu) also suits all kinds of cooking methods whether, raw as sashimi, aburi(slightly torched with fire on the skin), grilled, braised, fried.
Even the scales of the black throat sea perches are delicious and make a crispy texture without a fishy flavor. Urokoyaki (ウロコ焼き) is the technique to grill fish with their scales on and black throat sea perch urokoyaki is a blast.
Overall because black throat sea perches are only caught wild and have such a complex flavor profile applicable in many cooking methods, the black throat sea perches are one of the most expensive fish in the sea food market.
Market value of black throat sea perches and price depending on size
Although it depends on the size and the freshness, one black throat sea perch can cost from 10 dollars to even 200-dollar range.
A box of black throat sea perches(nodoguro, akamutsu) could cost thousands of dollars if they are large and fresh. The size of black throat sea perches vary from 150 grams to even 2,000 grams(kilograms). However, the taste of the black throat sea perch intensifies as the size gets bigger.
Thus, the cost of a single black throat sea perch increases 5~10 dollars per 100 gram per a fish and even more if the size is over 600 grams.
Typically, 150~300-gram black throat sea perches are affordable and considered the general size in the market. Black throat sea perches over 600 grams are considered large.
A single black throat sea perch of about 600 grams would cost about 10 150~300 gram size black throat sea perch.
The taste of the black throat sea perch seriously have a difference depending on the size that cause this unique pricing value. For those over 800 grams, the highest bidder would take the prize.
Black throat sea perch market and economic value in South Korea
It may depend on the catch of course, however black throat sea perch from Busan is considered the highest quality and the black throat sea perch originating from Tong young and Jeju Island follows.
Black throat sea perches of South Korea are high in demand and bidders from Japan and China all compete to import black throat sea perches from South Korea as it is a specialty.
Especially for Japan, the broad banded thorny head known as Kinki or Churi Kinki or Mesome fish supply ha sharply decreased.
Kinki or the broad banded thorny head fish is also a high value deep sea fish that is served in high end Japanese restaurants. The black throat sea perch has become a substitute for the Kinki fish so Japanese import is also high.
How to select quality black throat sea perch
It is almost impossible to distribute black throat sea perch alive as they live in deep waters and die because of the pressure difference. The below should be checked for better quality.
Merchants have different standards and pricing for black throat sea perches as well as the black throat sea perch has an unstable supply so the prices are very volatile.
Merchants who usually sell black throat sea perch for grilling grade may have lower prices while merchants who usually sell black throat sea perch for sashimi grade which could be eaten raw would budget much higher prices on the black throat sea perch.
How to select quality black throat sea perch 1. Black throat sea perches that hasn’t lost much of its scales have higher value. The fish should be vivid red
The scales of black throat sea perches are easy to remove. Even a plastic spoon could easily remove the scales because the black throat sea perch is so tender.
Black throat sea perches that hasn’t lost many scales mean that it was treated gently and it is relatively fresh
How to select quality black throat sea perch 2. When pressed on, the black throat sea perch should be firm.
This is applicable for all fish(dead) but the meat should be firm. If not, it might be an indication that the intestines have started to decompose.
How to select quality black throat sea perch 3. Check the anus of the black throat sea perch.
The anus of the black throat sea perch shouldn’t have any ooze or slime coming out. As the anus is connected with the intestines, the ooze and slime may indicate that the intestines have started to decompose.
How to select quality black throat sea perch 4. Check if the eyes are clear
It may sound subjective but the purpose is to check if the pupils are clear and the iris doesn’t have residues.
If the pupils are cloudy and there are residues in the iris, it may have been a while since the fish was caught. The clearer the eyes, the chances of better quality and freshness are higher.
How to select quality black throat sea perch 5. Check the gills
The gills should be bright red for fresh fish. The brighter red the gills are, the higher the chances that the fish are fresh. The gills are one of the major determining factors of the freshness of fish.
If the gills are black or brown it might mean the fish is already rotting. Also, for black throat sea perches, there are some slime and ooze, however it shouldn’t be too slimy nor should it smell.
Check the smell of the gills as well. Black throat sea perches are too expensive to risk the opportunity.
Differences between other red fish with Black Throat Sea perches
Once you get used to it, it is easy to tell the difference between black throat sea perches and other red fish that look alike.
However, for beginners, it is important to tell the difference between other red fish with black throat sea perches because the tastes are totally different and black throat sea perches are way more expensive.
If you’re not certain check the gills and see if the intestines are black as this is one of the most notable characteristics of the black throat sea perch. This is the easiest way to distinguish the black throat sea perch.
Difference between black throat sea perches and long jaw rock fish (Pacific Ocean perch)
Black throat sea perch have a straight aligned gill while the Pacific Ocean perch’s gills are diagonal
Black throat sea perch have a round shape that doesn’t bend from its head to the body. However Pacific Ocean perch have a bending point on its lining from the head to the body.
The lower jaw of the Pacific Ocean perch notably protrudes in front of the upper jaw.
Check the gills and see if they are black.
Difference between black throat sea perches and marbled rock fish(Sebastes inermis)
Check the gills and see if they are black. – The best way to determine a black throat sea perch.
Marbled rock fish have various colors and even red. Marbled rock fish have striped patterns on the back and its gills are in a diagonal pattern
Difference between black throat sea perches and black belly rosefish(Helicolenus dactylopterus）
The black belly rosefish is also a rare fish and very delicious. It also lives in deep depths so the lining of the intestines are black like the black throat sea perch.
However the black belly rosefish have striped tiger like patterns all over its body on both the back and the belly.
Also, the fins, especially at the chest near the gills, are larger. The fins on the back also connect along the whole back to the tail.
The fin on the tail is also large and the distance between the eyes and the gills are notably longer than the black throat sea perch. Personally, black belly rose fish are also rare and difficult to see in the market so if you find one, please try it.
Difference between black throat sea perches and false kelpfish (Sebastiscus marmoratus)
Also called the false kelp fish, sea ruffe (probably there isn’t a proper English name) the false kelpfish is also a red fish that looks similar to a black throat see perch.
The false kelpfish has many white dot patterns all over its body and there are several overlapping wrinkles on the bottom of its gills. Also, the body of a false kelpfish is asymmetrical and not round where the front part is much larger and thicker while it gets thinner towards the tail.
