Food · Fermented foods
Ikura (Salmon Roe)
いくら (Ikura)
Also known as: Ikura, Salmon roe, Salmon caviar, イクラ
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | いくら |
| Common Japanese notations | いくら, イクラ |
| Origin | Salt-cured or soy-marinated salmon roe (chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta principal source); principal Japanese landings Hokkaido domestic and significant Russian, Alaskan imports; ikura-no-shoyu-zuke (soy-marinated) is the major retail format vs. shio-ikura (salt-cured) |
| Typical functions | Premium sushi topping — defining premium gunkan-maki, Ikura-don (salmon roe rice bowl) Hokkaido tourism specialty, Premium gift retail (Hokkaido), Osechi New Year cuisine |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Salmon is JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** Hokkaido domestic vs imported origin disclosure essential. |
Ikura (いくら) is salt-cured or soy-marinated salmon roe — defining premium sushi topping (gunkan-maki) and Hokkaido ikura-don tourism signature. Hokkaido domestic origin is premium positioning.
Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Frozen ikura-no-shoyu-zuke retail (sushi-grade premium)
- Premium Hokkaido gift retail
- Bulk ingredient supply for sushi and foodservice
What it is
Salmon roe, salt-cured (shio-ikura) or soy-marinated (shoyu-ikura).
Typical uses in Japanese products
Premium sushi gunkan-maki.
Ikura-don Hokkaido.
Osechi New Year cuisine.
Premium gift retail.
For OEM: ikura-no-shoyu-zuke production OEM, premium Hokkaido gift retail.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Salmon allergen recommended. Origin disclosure essential.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Established global salmon roe market. |
|---|---|
| USA | Established US sushi roe market. |
| China | Established premium specialty. |
| Korea | Established Korean trade. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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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
- Editorial — Japan ikura production reference
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.