Food · Fermented foods

Amadai (Tilefish)

あまだい (Amadai)

Also known as: Amadai, Tilefish, Branchiostegus japonicus, 甘鯛, Guji (Kyoto name)

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameあまだい
Common Japanese notationsあまだい, 甘鯛, アマダイ, ぐじ
OriginTilefish (Branchiostegus japonicus / B. japonicus and related species); harvested in deep coastal waters; principal Japanese landing regions Yamaguchi, Fukui, Niigata, Wakayama; long-established premium Kyoto kaiseki fish (Kyoto name 'guji')
Typical functionsPremium Kyoto kaiseki fish — defining traditional Kyoto cuisine ingredient, Sake-yaki (sake-grilled), saikyo-yaki (white miso-grilled) preparations, Premium gift retail
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. Fish allergen disclosure recommended.

Amadai (あまだい / 甘鯛) — tilefish (Branchiostegus japonicus) — is a defining Kyoto kaiseki premium fish, called 'guji' in Kyoto. The OEM positioning is exclusively premium kaiseki and gift retail: as the central fish of premium Kyoto cuisine (sake-yaki sake-grilled, saikyo-yaki white miso-grilled preparations), and as premium saikyo-zuke (white miso-marinated) gift retail.

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Classification

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Common OEM product categories

Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.

  • Fresh whole amadai (premium foodservice)
  • Saikyo-zuke amadai (white miso-marinated)
  • Premium gift retail (Kyoto positioning)

Ingredient profile

Branchiostegus japonicus deep-water fish, premium Kyoto kaiseki ingredient (Kyoto name guji).

OEM applications

Kyoto kaiseki signature.

Sake-yaki, saikyo-yaki preparations.

Saikyo-zuke gift retail.

For OEM: saikyo-zuke production OEM, foodservice ingredient supply.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Fish allergen recommended disclosure.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUNiche specialty positioning.
USANiche specialty positioning.
ChinaNiche specialty positioning.
KoreaNiche specialty positioning.

Market reference formulations

Example finished products will be added after verification.

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.

Seasonality & supply calendar

Harvest months
October – March (peak fat winter season)
Peak supply
December – February (寒甘鯛 grade)
Off-season
April – September (spawning closure regional)

Source: 水産庁 / 京都府 amadai 漁業統計. Wakasa 若狭 amadai (Kyoto / Fukui) is the historic premium origin (若狭ぐじ).

Alternative ingredients

Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.

Quick answers

What is Amadai (Tilefish)?
Amadai (あまだい / 甘鯛) — tilefish (Branchiostegus japonicus) — is a defining Kyoto kaiseki premium fish, called 'guji' in Kyoto. The OEM positioning is exclusively premium kaiseki and gift retail: as the central fish of premium Kyoto cuisine (sake-yaki sake-grilled, saikyo-yaki white miso-grilled preparations), and as premium saikyo-zuke (white miso-marinated) gift retail.
What is the regulatory status of Amadai (Tilefish) in Japan?
Standard food labeling. Fish allergen disclosure recommended.
What products typically use Amadai (Tilefish)?
Fresh whole amadai (premium foodservice) / Saikyo-zuke amadai (white miso-marinated) / Premium gift retail (Kyoto positioning)
Where does Amadai (Tilefish) come from?
Tilefish (Branchiostegus japonicus / B. japonicus and related species); harvested in deep coastal waters; principal Japanese landing regions Yamaguchi, Fukui, Niigata, Wakayama; long-established premium Kyoto kaiseki fish (Kyoto name 'guji')
What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Amadai (Tilefish)?
JSCI: あまだい

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References

  1. 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — あまだい

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

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