Food · Fermented foods
Ise-ebi (Japanese Spiny Lobster)
いせえび (Ise-ebi)
Also known as: Ise-ebi, Japanese spiny lobster, Panulirus japonicus, 伊勢海老, Iseebi
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | いせえび |
| Common Japanese notations | いせえび, 伊勢海老, イセエビ |
| Origin | Japanese spiny lobster (Panulirus japonicus); harvested in Japanese coastal waters; principal landing regions Mie (Ise — heritage area, giving the name), Chiba, Wakayama, Shizuoka, Kyushu; autumn-winter season (October-April) |
| Typical functions | Ultra-premium kaiseki and ceremonial cuisine — Ise-ebi is a defining auspicious ingredient (the long whiskers and curved body symbolize longevity), Osechi New Year cuisine — central element of premium Osechi sets, Premium foodservice signature (Japanese ryokan and high-end restaurants) |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.** Mie Ise heritage area established. |
Ise-ebi (いせえび / 伊勢海老) — Japanese spiny lobster (Panulirus japonicus) — is one of Japan's most prestigious crustaceans with substantial cultural and ceremonial significance. The long whiskers and curved body symbolize longevity, making ise-ebi a defining ingredient of Osechi New Year cuisine and ceremonial premium foodservice. Mie Ise area is the heritage region. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.**
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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
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Live ise-ebi retail (premium foodservice)
- Frozen ise-ebi
- Premium Mie Ise specialty gift retail
Ingredient profile
Panulirus japonicus Japanese spiny lobster, distinct from Maine/American/European lobsters.
OEM applications
Ultra-premium kaiseki and ceremonial cuisine.
Osechi New Year cuisine central element.
Premium foodservice signature.
For OEM: live ise-ebi cold-chain supply, frozen retail, premium Mie Ise gift retail.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.** Mie Ise heritage origin disclosure.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Imported as Japanese spiny lobster. Niche ultra-premium specialty. Crustacean allergen mandatory. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche ultra-premium specialty. Crustacean allergen mandatory. |
| China | Premium specialty positioning in Japanese-imports. |
| Korea | Niche premium specialty. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification of Mie Ise 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.
Seasonality & supply calendar
- Harvest months
- October – April
- Peak supply
- November – December
- Off-season
- May – September (繁殖期禁漁)
Source: 水産庁 / Mie・Chiba・Wakayama 漁協. Strict closed-season management; landings have declined in recent years.
Storage requirements
How the receiving OEM facility needs to handle inbound raw material.
- Temperature
- Live 18°C oxygenated seawater; chilled 0°C; frozen −20°C
- Conditions
- Live in seaweed / sawdust packaging; rapid handling — perishable post-mortem
- Shelf life
- Live 2 days; chilled 3 days; frozen 6 months
Supply concentration
Where this ingredient comes from — useful for single-source-risk planning.
- Primary regions
- Mie, Chiba, Wakayama, Tokushima, Kagoshima
- Import dependence
- Domestic premium grade only; foodservice substitutes import lobsters
水産庁
Certifications commonly available
Certification schemes commonly obtainable for this raw material. Always confirm the specific supplier's current certificate before contracting.
| Scheme | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
| Halal | On-request | |
| Kosher | Unavailable |
Documented adulteration risks
Known fraud / adulteration patterns reported by regulators or industry bodies. Specify CoA params and screening tests on every PO.
- Imported lobsters (Caribbean / Australian Panulirus species) substituted for Japanese ise-ebi (Panulirus japonicus)
Detection: Visual species ID; DNA confirmation; CITES check for protected species
水産庁
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Ise-ebi (Japanese Spiny Lobster)?
- Ise-ebi (いせえび / 伊勢海老) — Japanese spiny lobster (Panulirus japonicus) — is one of Japan's most prestigious crustaceans with substantial cultural and ceremonial significance. The long whiskers and curved body symbolize longevity, making ise-ebi a defining ingredient of Osechi New Year cuisine and ceremonial premium foodservice. Mie Ise area is the heritage region. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.**
- What is the regulatory status of Ise-ebi (Japanese Spiny Lobster) in Japan?
- Standard food labeling. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.** Mie Ise heritage area established.
- What products typically use Ise-ebi (Japanese Spiny Lobster)?
- Live ise-ebi retail (premium foodservice) / Frozen ise-ebi / Premium Mie Ise specialty gift retail
- Where does Ise-ebi (Japanese Spiny Lobster) come from?
- Japanese spiny lobster (Panulirus japonicus); harvested in Japanese coastal waters; principal landing regions Mie (Ise — heritage area, giving the name), Chiba, Wakayama, Shizuoka, Kyushu; autumn-winter season (October-April)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Ise-ebi (Japanese Spiny Lobster)?
- JSCI: いせえび
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Sharing similar functions
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From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
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Regulatory guidance
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Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — いせえび
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.