Food · Fermented foods

Akaika (Red Squid)

あかいか (Akaika)

Also known as: Akaika, Red squid, Ommastrephes bartramii, 赤いか, Onmastrephidae family

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameあかいか
Common Japanese notationsあかいか, 赤いか, アカイカ
OriginRed squid (Ommastrephes bartramii); pelagic squid species harvested in distant North Pacific waters; significant volume catch supplying processed and frozen squid markets
Typical functionsVolume frozen squid for processed-food and foodservice applications, Surume (dried squid) raw material, Squid sushi topping (akaika sushi)
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. Mollusc allergen disclosure recommended. Distinct from sumi-ika and yari-ika sushi-grade squid.

Akaika (あかいか / 赤いか) — red squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) — is a pelagic North Pacific squid species supplying volume processed-food and foodservice markets. The OEM positioning is volume processed squid: as frozen squid for various processed applications, as surume (dried squid) raw material, and as squid sushi topping.

Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Used in (typical product categories)

Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.

  • Frozen akaika (volume processed and foodservice supply)
  • Surume (dried squid) retail

What it is

Ommastrephes bartramii pelagic squid from North Pacific.

Typical uses in Japanese products

Volume frozen squid for processed-food and foodservice.

Surume (dried squid).

Sushi topping.

For OEM: frozen squid ingredient supply, surume production OEM.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Mollusc allergen disclosure recommended. Not in mandatory category.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUImported as squid. Mollusc allergen labeling required.
USAImported as squid.
ChinaMajor squid market.
KoreaMajor squid market.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification of catch origin and processing format.

All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.

References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — あかいか

Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

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