Food · Fermented foods

Anago (Conger Eel)

あなご (Anago)

Also known as: Anago, Conger eel, Conger myriaster, 穴子, Edomae anago

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameあなご
Common Japanese notationsあなご, 穴子, アナゴ
OriginConger eel (Conger myriaster); harvested in Japanese coastal waters; principal fishery regions Tokyo Bay (Edomae anago heritage), Seto Inland Sea (Hiroshima, Hyogo Akashi)
Typical functionsPremium sushi topping — Edomae anago is iconic Tokyo sushi, Anago-don retail and foodservice signature, Tempura ingredient, Hiroshima anago-meshi (anago rice bowl) regional specialty
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. Mollusc/fish allergen — distinct from unagi (freshwater eel) which is a designated allergen. Anago is not mandatory-disclosed but recommended.

Anago (あなご / 穴子) — conger eel (Conger myriaster) — is a premium Japanese sushi and foodservice fish, distinct from unagi (freshwater eel). Tokyo Bay heritage produces Edomae anago, the iconic Tokyo sushi style. Hiroshima anago-meshi is a regional specialty. The OEM positioning is premium sushi and foodservice: as pre-cooked anago for sushi-grade supply, as anago-meshi retail, and as tempura/foodservice ingredient.

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.

  • Pre-cooked anago retail (vacuum-pack, frozen)
  • Anago-meshi retail (Hiroshima specialty)
  • Sushi-grade anago supply

What it is

Conger myriaster sea eel, distinct from unagi freshwater eel.

Typical uses in Japanese products

Edomae sushi topping.

Anago-don.

Hiroshima anago-meshi.

Tempura.

For OEM: pre-cooked anago retail, anago-meshi production OEM, sushi-grade ingredient supply.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Distinct from unagi. Not a mandatory-disclosure allergen.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUImported as conger eel. Niche Japanese-cuisine specialty.
USAEstablished Japanese-cuisine specialty channels.
ChinaNiche specialty positioning.
KoreaKorea has its own bungjangeo conger tradition.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification of origin (Tokyo Bay Edomae / Seto / Hiroshima).

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.

Related ingredients

References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — あなご 各形態

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

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