Food · Fermented foods
Hoya (Sea Pineapple)
ほや (Hoya)
Also known as: Hoya, Sea pineapple, Halocynthia roretzi, 海鞘
Looking for a Japanese supplier of Hoya (Sea Pineapple)? Tell usAt a glance
| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | ほや |
| Common Japanese notations | ほや, 海鞘, ホヤ |
| Origin | Sea pineapple (Halocynthia roretzi); cultivated in Tohoku coastal waters; principal modern production region Miyagi (Sanriku heritage area); spring-summer season |
| Typical functions | Tohoku regional cuisine specialty — distinctive iodine-mineral umami flavor, Premium izakaya appetizer |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. Miyagi Sanriku regional brand. Not a designated allergen. |
Hoya (ほや / 海鞘) — sea pineapple (Halocynthia roretzi) — is a distinctive Tohoku regional marine invertebrate (technically a tunicate, not a mollusc) with characteristic iodine-mineral umami flavor. Miyagi Sanriku is the heritage area.
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.
- Fresh hoya (Sanriku Miyagi seasonal)
- Frozen hoya
What it is
Halocynthia roretzi sea pineapple, tunicate species.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Tohoku izakaya specialty appetizer.
Sashimi/sunomono.
For OEM: regional Tohoku retail and foodservice.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Miyagi Sanriku regional brand. Not a designated allergen.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Niche specialty positioning. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty positioning. |
| China | Niche specialty positioning. |
| Korea | Korea has its own meongge tradition. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification of Miyagi Sanriku origin.
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Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
References
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — ほや
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.