Food · Fermented foods
Iriko (Small Dried Sardine for Dashi)
いりこ (Iriko)
Also known as: Iriko, Small dried sardine, Niboshi (broader name), いりこ, 煎り子
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | いりこ |
| Common Japanese notations | いりこ, 煎り子, イリコ |
| Origin | Small dried sardines/anchovies prepared by boiling-then-drying; the Setouchi (Seto Inland Sea) regional name 'iriko' overlaps with the more general 'niboshi' (with niboshi being the broader category and iriko being the specifically Setouchi tradition for udon-dashi); principal Kagawa Iriko-no-Sato heritage area |
| Typical functions | Udon dashi production (defining Sanuki udon dashi raw material), Premium home dashi and miso soup |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. Setouchi/Kagawa regional positioning. Fish allergen recommended. |
Iriko (いりこ) is small dried sardine for dashi — the Setouchi (Seto Inland Sea) regional name overlapping with niboshi. Defining raw material for Sanuki udon dashi. Kagawa heritage.
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 iriko retail packs (Setouchi and Kagawa origin)
What it is
Small dried sardines/anchovies, Setouchi tradition.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Sanuki udon dashi.
Home dashi.
For OEM: dried iriko retail.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Setouchi regional positioning. Fish allergen recommended.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Niche specialty in Japanese-cuisine channels. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty positioning. |
| China | Established trade. |
| Korea | Korea has its own myeolchi tradition (similar). |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification of Setouchi 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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Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
References
- Editorial — Setouchi Iriko production reference
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.