Food · Fermented foods
Bora (Flathead Grey Mullet)
ぼら (Bora)
Also known as: Bora, Flathead grey mullet, Mugil cephalus, 鯔, Karasumi (mullet roe — separate paired product)
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | ぼら |
| Common Japanese notations | ぼら, 鯔, ボラ, Karasumi |
| Origin | Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus); Pacific coastal harvest; principal Japanese landing region Nagasaki (Karasumi production heartland), Kagawa, Wakayama; the salt-cured roe (karasumi) is one of Japan's three great chinmi delicacies |
| Typical functions | Karasumi (salt-cured mullet roe) — one of Japan's three great chinmi premium delicacies, Foodservice sashimi and grilled (less common in modern Japan) |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. Nagasaki Karasumi heritage brand. Fish allergen recommended. |
Bora (ぼら / 鯔) — flathead grey mullet — is principally relevant for OEM as the source fish for karasumi (salt-cured mullet roe — one of Japan's three great chinmi delicacies, with Nagasaki Karasumi as iconic heritage area).
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Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Karasumi premium retail (Nagasaki gift retail)
Ingredient profile
Mugil cephalus flathead grey mullet.
OEM applications
Karasumi roe production (defining premium application).
For OEM: karasumi production OEM with Nagasaki regional positioning.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Nagasaki Karasumi regional brand. Fish allergen recommended.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Karasumi-style products (bottarga) established in Italy and Mediterranean. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty positioning. |
| China | Established Chinese mullet roe (烏魚子) market. |
| Korea | Niche specialty positioning. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification of Nagasaki origin.
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Seasonality & supply calendar
- Harvest months
- October – February
- Peak supply
- December – January (peak roe for からすみ karasumi production)
- Off-season
- March – September (lean, low commercial demand)
Source: 水産庁. Nagasaki 野母 karasumi is the premium domestic gray-mullet roe origin.
Quick answers
- What is Bora (Flathead Grey Mullet)?
- Bora (ぼら / 鯔) — flathead grey mullet — is principally relevant for OEM as the source fish for karasumi (salt-cured mullet roe — one of Japan's three great chinmi delicacies, with Nagasaki Karasumi as iconic heritage area).
- What is the regulatory status of Bora (Flathead Grey Mullet) in Japan?
- Standard food labeling. Nagasaki Karasumi heritage brand. Fish allergen recommended.
- What products typically use Bora (Flathead Grey Mullet)?
- Karasumi premium retail (Nagasaki gift retail)
- Where does Bora (Flathead Grey Mullet) come from?
- Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus); Pacific coastal harvest; principal Japanese landing region Nagasaki (Karasumi production heartland), Kagawa, Wakayama; the salt-cured roe (karasumi) is one of Japan's three great chinmi delicacies
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Bora (Flathead Grey Mullet)?
- JSCI: ぼら
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References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — ぼら
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.