For the first time in his storied career, Yukitaka Yamaguchi—the internationally acclaimed tuna expert known throughout the culinary world as the ‘King of Tuna’—is travelling to the Middle East. His arrival marks a watershed moment for the UAE’s fine dining landscape, orchestrated through a groundbreaking partnership between his company Yamayuki and Country Hill International.
The historic visit will be commemorated with an exclusive gathering at Atlantis The Royal in Gastronomy, where the region’s most distinguished chefs, hospitality executives, and culinary professionals will have the rare opportunity to experience Yamayuki’s legendary tuna selection directly from the source. It’s a moment that underscores the UAE’s growing stature as a destination for world-class gastronomy.
Yamaguchi operates from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, the epicentre of Japan’s seafood trade, where Yamayuki has established itself as perhaps the most respected tuna wholesaler in the world. His reputation rests on an unwavering commitment to quality and a specialised assessment technique that has made him the go-to supplier for elite restaurants globally.
Country Hill International, which has spent more than a quarter-century building its position as one of the GCC’s foremost premium meat and seafood distributors, brokered the arrangement. The company’s deep relationships with producers worldwide and its track record of introducing exceptional products to the region made it the natural partner to bring Yamaguchi’s expertise to Middle Eastern shores.
At the heart of Yamayuki’s operations lies the mekiki philosophy—a rigorous, almost meditative approach to tuna evaluation. Rather than treating fish as a commodity, each specimen is individually examined for fat composition, texture, balance, and overall eating quality. This meticulous selection process, refined over decades under Yamaguchi’s direction, has elevated Yamayuki to global benchmark status for wild Bluefin tuna.
The partnership carries particular weight given CHI’s existing connections to Japan’s seafood establishment. Uoriki, a historic seafood enterprise dating back to 1930 with operations spanning retail, wholesale, and sushi restaurants throughout Tokyo, serves as a business ally to CHI. This relationship provides the UAE-based company with unique access to the knowledge and standards that define Toyosu Market’s exacting culture.
“This partnership reflects CHI’s long-term vision for premium seafood in the region,” said Maria Luisa Panzica La Manna, Chief Commercial Officer at Country Hill International. “Welcoming Yamaguchi-san to Dubai gives chefs and food enthusiasts a rare chance to engage with one of the world’s leading tuna experts, while reinforcing CHI’s role as the bridge between the UAE and Tokyo’s Toyosu Market.”
The collaboration will function through multiple channels. CHI’s established business-to-business network will provide professional kitchens with access to Yamayuki’s selections, whilst the company’s Prime Gourmet flagship store—already celebrated for its premium meats and specialty groceries—will serve as the retail gateway. Within Prime Gourmet, The Fishmonger operates as a dedicated seafood destination, offering both professional chefs and discerning home cooks expertly curated fish alongside exclusive access to Yamayuki’s exceptional tuna.
Initial availability will centre on carefully limited, seasonal quantities of top-grade wild Bluefin tuna, selected according to Yamayuki’s exacting standards. The approach prioritises selectivity and expertise over volume, reflecting both companies’ emphasis on long-term value rather than short-term availability.
For CHI, which has built its reputation on transparency, direct producer relationships, and uncompromising quality standards, the Yamayuki partnership represents a natural evolution. The company supplies the Middle East’s leading hotels, restaurants, and retailers, and has earned recognition for its ability to connect the region’s culinary operators with the world’s finest products.
The arrangement positions Yamayuki as the definitive reference point for tuna excellence in the Middle East, whilst simultaneously reinforcing CHI’s role as the premier conduit between the UAE’s sophisticated food scene and the world’s most respected seafood sources. It’s a partnership built not on marketing flash, but on shared values of craftsmanship, patience, and an almost obsessive attention to quality.
As the UAE’s dining culture continues to mature and demand for authentic, world-class ingredients intensifies, Yamaguchi’s first visit signals a new chapter. The ‘King of Tuna’ is bringing decades of specialised knowledge, technical mastery, and profound insight into fish quality to a region eager to learn from the best.
For chefs and seafood enthusiasts across the Emirates, the opportunity to engage directly with someone of Yamaguchi’s stature represents something genuinely rare—a chance to understand what separates truly exceptional tuna from merely good fish, and to experience firsthand the standards that define excellence at Tokyo’s legendary market.
About Country Hill International (CHI):
CHI, a premium food importer and distributor established over 25 years ago, is a key supplier to the Middle East’s top retailers, hotels, and restaurants. The company is distinguished by its commitment to excellence, transparency, and building long-term partnerships, maintaining direct relationships with global producers and upholding rigorous quality standards. Renowned for delivering exceptional products and expertise to the region’s most discerning culinary operators, CHI also owns and operates Prime Gourmet and The Fishmonger. The Prime Gourmet is a one-stop destination for premium meats, specialty groceries, where The Fishmonger serves as the dedicated in-store seafood destination, offering curated selections of the finest fish and seafood. These premium food destinations are celebrated for their curated selections, quality sourcing, and elevated food experiences.
About Yukitaka Yamaguchi:
Yukitaka Yamaguchi, a celebrated master of tuna, represents Yamayuki, one of the most highly regarded tuna wholesalers at Tokyo’s Toyosu Market. Known globally for his technical mastery, precision, and profound insight into tuna quality, Yamaguchi has gained recognition for elevating the craft of tuna butchery and sharing his specialised knowledge with culinary experts worldwide.