Food · Fermented foods
Aosa (Sea Lettuce / Ulva)
あおさ (Aosa)
Also known as: Aosa, Sea lettuce, Ulva pertusa, Ulva lactuca, あおさ, Hitoegusa-aosa
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | あおさ |
| Common Japanese notations | あおさ, アオサ, 石蓴 |
| Origin | Ulva (sea lettuce) seaweed; principal modern production region Mie Prefecture (Ise-shima area is the volume leader, accounting for over 70% of domestic supply); significant Korean and Chinese imports for cost-positioned applications |
| Typical functions | Aosa-no-miso-shiru (aosa miso soup) — Mie regional specialty, growing nationally, Aosa furikake and seasoning, Aosa pasta and udon (aosa-flavored), Aosa flake retail (Mie specialty) |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard agricultural product labeling. Mie Ise-shima dominant production. Not a designated allergen. |
Aosa (あおさ) — Ulva sea lettuce — is a green sea vegetable with Mie Prefecture (Ise-shima area) as the volume domestic supplier (over 70% of supply). The OEM positioning is universal: as the central ingredient of aosa-no-miso-shiru (Mie regional specialty growing nationally), as aosa furikake and seasoning, as aosa-flavored noodles (pasta, udon), and as dried aosa flakes retail.
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
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Dried aosa flakes retail (Mie origin major brand)
- Aosa furikake retail
- Aosa-flavored noodle products
What it is
Ulva pertusa / Ulva lactuca seaweed. Bright green, leaf-like.
Production: Mie Ise-shima (over 70% of domestic). Korean and Chinese imports.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Aosa miso-shiru — Mie regional specialty.
Furikake and seasoning.
Aosa-flavored pasta and udon.
For OEM: dried aosa flakes retail (Mie origin), furikake and seasoning blend OEM, aosa-noodle production OEM.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Mie origin essential for premium positioning. Not a designated allergen.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Imported as sea lettuce / Ulva. Niche specialty. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty in Asian cuisine channels. |
| China | China has substantial Ulva production. |
| Korea | Korea has substantial Ulva (파래) culture. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification of Mie origin.
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.
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From the same origin
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References
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — あおさ
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.