Food · Fermented foods
Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp / Northern Pink Shrimp)
あまえび (Amaebi)
Also known as: Amaebi, Sweet shrimp, Northern pink shrimp, Pandalus eous, 甘えび, Hokkokuaka-ebi
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | あまえび |
| Common Japanese notations | あまえび, 甘えび, ホッコクアカエビ |
| Origin | Northern pink shrimp (Pandalus eous); harvested principally Sea of Japan and Hokkaido waters; principal Japanese landing regions Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Hokkaido; significant imports from Russia, Greenland, Canada |
| Typical functions | Premium sushi/sashimi topping — defining sweet-flavor shrimp sushi, Foodservice and home preparation, Premium gift retail (Hokkaido and Sea of Japan coast) |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. Crustacean allergen (mandatory disclosure under JAS). Domestic vs imported origin disclosure essential. |
Amaebi (あまえび / 甘えび) — northern pink shrimp (Pandalus eous) — is a premium Japanese sushi/sashimi shrimp distinguished by its sweet flavor (giving the name 'sweet shrimp'). Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Hokkaido lead domestic landings; significant imports from Russia, Greenland, Canada. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen** requiring disclosure.
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Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Fresh and frozen amaebi retail
- Pre-shelled amaebi for sushi production
Ingredient profile
Pandalus eous northern pink shrimp.
OEM applications
Premium sushi/sashimi topping.
Foodservice and home use.
Premium Hokkaido and Sea of Japan gift retail.
For OEM: fresh and frozen amaebi retail, sushi-grade pre-shelled supply.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.** Domestic vs imported origin essential.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Established global northern pink shrimp trade. Crustacean allergen mandatory. |
|---|---|
| USA | Established US shrimp market. Crustacean allergen mandatory. |
| China | Established global trade. |
| Korea | Established Korean shrimp market. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification of origin and product format.
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Seasonality & supply calendar
- Harvest months
- October – May (peak Sea of Japan winter season)
- Peak supply
- January – February
- Off-season
- Closed June – September in major fisheries (繁殖期禁漁)
Source: 水産庁 / 北陸漁連. Hokkaido and Niigata are primary domestic supply; imports from Greenland / Russia cover wholesale.
Storage requirements
How the receiving OEM facility needs to handle inbound raw material.
- Temperature
- Frozen −20°C IQF; thawed chilled 0°C
- Conditions
- Headed / shell-on; sulfite-free preferred; protects against melanosis
- Shelf life
- Frozen 12 months IQF
Supply concentration
Where this ingredient comes from — useful for single-source-risk planning.
- Primary regions
- Hokkaido (approximately 70% per 海面漁業生産統計 — Hokkaido ~4,074t vs Ishikawa ~700t / Niigata ~400t), Toyama, Aomori
- Import dependence
- Significant imports from Greenland, Iceland, Russia
水産庁 / 北陸漁連
Certifications commonly available
Certification schemes commonly obtainable for this raw material. Always confirm the specific supplier's current certificate before contracting.
| Scheme | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
| Halal | On-request | Crustaceans Halal-permissible per Sunni schools |
| Kosher | Unavailable | |
| MSC | On-request | Some Greenland / Russia amaebi fisheries MSC-certified |
Documented adulteration risks
Known fraud / adulteration patterns reported by regulators or industry bodies. Specify CoA params and screening tests on every PO.
- Greenland / Russian imported amaebi mislabeled as 北海道産 / 北陸産
Detection: Country-of-origin label; isotope-ratio analysis
水産庁
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp / Northern Pink Shrimp)?
- Amaebi (あまえび / 甘えび) — northern pink shrimp (Pandalus eous) — is a premium Japanese sushi/sashimi shrimp distinguished by its sweet flavor (giving the name 'sweet shrimp'). Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Hokkaido lead domestic landings; significant imports from Russia, Greenland, Canada. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen** requiring disclosure.
- What is the regulatory status of Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp / Northern Pink Shrimp) in Japan?
- Standard food labeling. Crustacean allergen (mandatory disclosure under JAS). Domestic vs imported origin disclosure essential.
- What products typically use Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp / Northern Pink Shrimp)?
- Fresh and frozen amaebi retail / Pre-shelled amaebi for sushi production
- Where does Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp / Northern Pink Shrimp) come from?
- Northern pink shrimp (Pandalus eous); harvested principally Sea of Japan and Hokkaido waters; principal Japanese landing regions Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Hokkaido; significant imports from Russia, Greenland, Canada
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp / Northern Pink Shrimp)?
- JSCI: あまえび
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Sharing similar functions
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From the same origin
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Official regulatory databases
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References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — あまえび
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.