Food · Fermented foods
Hotaru-ika (Firefly Squid)
ほたるいか (Hotaru-ika)
Also known as: Hotaru-ika, Firefly squid, Watasenia scintillans, 蛍烏賊
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | ほたるいか |
| Common Japanese notations | ほたるいか, 蛍烏賊, ホタルイカ |
| Origin | Firefly squid (Watasenia scintillans); small bioluminescent squid; principal harvest region Toyama Bay (heritage area, with seasonal mass spawning event); spring season (March-May) |
| Typical functions | Sumiso-ae (vinegared miso dressing) — defining spring preparation, Tsukudani-style boiled-down retail, Toyama Bay regional gift specialty |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. Toyama Bay regional brand. **Mollusc allergen recommended disclosure.** Note: raw hotaru-ika carries parasite risk — only properly processed/heated retail products. |
Hotaru-ika (ほたるいか / 蛍烏賊) — firefly squid (Watasenia scintillans) — is a small bioluminescent squid with brief spring season (March-May). Toyama Bay is the heritage harvest area. Defining preparation is sumiso-ae (vinegared miso). Critical: parasite risk requires properly processed retail products.
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.
- Pre-cooked hotaru-ika sumiso-ae retail
- Toyama Bay regional gift retail
What it is
Watasenia scintillans bioluminescent firefly squid.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Sumiso-ae spring signature.
Tsukudani retail.
For OEM: pre-cooked sumiso-ae retail OEM, Toyama gift retail.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Mollusc allergen recommended. Parasite risk processing essential.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Niche specialty positioning. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty positioning. |
| China | Niche specialty positioning. |
| Korea | Niche specialty positioning. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification of Toyama Bay origin.
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Sharing similar functions
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From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
References
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — ほたるいか 各形態
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.