KODO: The Art of Bluefin Tuna Ceremony Carving: An Evening Unlike Any Other at Yakinori
There are dinners, and then there are experiences. KODO: The Art of Bluefin Tuna Ceremony Carving at Yakinori is firmly, unapologetically, the latter. Inspired by the energy, craftsmanship, and theatre of Japan’s iconic tuna markets, KODO is an immersive standing dining experience that goes far beyond anything you have sat down to before. This is food as performance. This is Japanese culture at its most electric. And it is coming to Yakinori.
What Is KODO?
The word Kodo carries deep meaning in Japanese culture, it speaks of the way, the path, the art of doing something with complete mastery and intention. At Yakinori, KODO embodies exactly that. Our chefs expertly carve and break down an entire premium Bluefin Tuna live before your eyes, showcasing precision knife skills, traditional techniques, and the artistry behind every cut.
This is not a quiet, candlelit affair. KODO is designed to be vibrant, social, and interactive, where guests mingle with cocktails, sake, and wine in hand while enjoying a continuous flow of freshly prepared tuna dishes served throughout the evening. Think Tokyo nightlife energy meeting the very finest Japanese food culture: all under one roof in Birmingham or Bristol.
The Ceremony: Watching a Master at Work
The centrepiece of the evening is the carving itself. A whole, premium Bluefin Tuna: one of the most prized fish in the world, is brought out and broken down by Yakinori’s skilled chefs in front of the entire room. Every slice is deliberate. Every movement carries the weight of a tradition that has been refined over generations.
Guests witness the fish being transformed from whole to extraordinary section by section, cut by cut as the chefs guide the room through what they are doing and why. The ceremony is part education, part theatre, and entirely unforgettable.
The Cuts: A Journey Through the Finest Tuna
Not all tuna is created equal and KODO is your chance to truly understand the difference. Bluefin Tuna is prized for the remarkable variety of flavour and texture found across different parts of the fish:
- Akami: the lean, deep-red loin. Clean, firm, and intensely flavoured. The most abundant cut and the backbone of great tuna sashimi.
- Chutoro: the medium-fatty belly. Richer than akami, with a buttery quality that melts delicately on the tongue.
- Otoro: the prized fatty belly. The most luxurious cut in all of Japanese cuisine. Silky, rich, and extraordinarily tender, a single piece is enough to make you understand why this fish is revered the world over.
From buttery Otoro and delicate Chutoro sashimi, to Bluefin tartare, tuna tacos, tataki, negitoro hand rolls, flame-seared nigiri, and rich tuna cheeks, every dish is crafted moments after carving to highlight the unique texture and flavour of each premium cut.
Every plate arrives at its absolute peak, as fresh as it is possible to be, prepared seconds after the fish is carved.
More Than a Meal: A Full Sensory Experience
KODO is built to engage every sense. Expect live DJ sets, dramatic carving moments, dry ice theatre, premium cocktails, and an atmosphere that blends Tokyo nightlife energy with luxury Japanese food culture.
The room buzzes. The music plays. The knives glide. The plates keep coming. It is the kind of evening where you arrive as a guest and leave as a storyteller because this is exactly the sort of night people talk about long after it is over.
The Dates & Locations
KODO is coming to two Yakinori restaurants this summer:
- Birmingham New Street: Friday 17 July 2026
- Bristol: Thursday 23 July 2026
- Doors open: 6.30PM — Late
Ticket Options
£75: includes unlimited sake throughout the evening.
£125: includes the full unlimited cocktail, wine, and sake package.
Both options include the full KODO dining experience the live carving ceremony, the continuous flow of freshly prepared tuna dishes across every cut, and the full atmosphere of the evening. This is a standing dining event, designed to keep you moving, mingling, and thoroughly immersed from start to finish.
Why You Should not Miss This
Events like KODO are rare. The combination of a whole Bluefin Tuna ceremony, premium food served moments after carving, unlimited drinks, live music, and the theatrical energy of the evening is not something you will find easily and certainly not at this level. Yakinori has created something genuinely special here: a bridge between the ancient craft of Japanese tuna preparation and a modern, social dining experience that feels alive from the moment you walk in.
Whether you are a lifelong lover of Japanese cuisine or someone who simply wants an evening that will stay with them, KODO delivers on every level.
Book Your Place
Seats for KODO are strictly limited this is an intimate, curated event and spaces will go fast. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something truly extraordinary.
Book Birmingham (17 July) or Book Bristol (23 July) now at Yakinori.