Food · Fermented foods
Karasumi (Salt-Cured Mullet Roe)
からすみ (Karasumi)
Also known as: Karasumi, Salt-cured mullet roe, Bottarga (Italian), 唐墨, 鯔の子
Looking for a Japanese supplier of Karasumi (Salt-Cured Mullet Roe)? Tell usAt a glance
| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | からすみ |
| Common Japanese notations | からすみ, 唐墨, カラスミ |
| Origin | Salt-cured grey mullet (bora) roe — see bora entry; principal Japanese production region Nagasaki (heritage area, the first Japanese karasumi production); one of Japan's three great chinmi delicacies (alongside konowata sea cucumber gut and uni) |
| Typical functions | Ultra-premium chinmi delicacy — Japan's three great chinmi, Premium kaiseki specialty — sliced thin, served with sake, Premium gift retail (Nagasaki Karasumi), Modern fusion-pasta application (karasumi-pasta) |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. Nagasaki Karasumi regional brand. Fish allergen recommended. |
Karasumi (からすみ / 唐墨) is salt-cured grey mullet (bora) roe — one of Japan's three great chinmi delicacies. Nagasaki is the heritage production region. Ultra-premium gift retail and kaiseki specialty.
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.
- Whole karasumi premium gift retail
- Sliced karasumi retail
What it is
Salt-cured grey mullet (bora) roe.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Ultra-premium chinmi.
Premium kaiseki specialty.
Premium Nagasaki gift retail.
Modern fusion-pasta.
For OEM: Nagasaki karasumi production OEM, ultra-premium gift retail.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Nagasaki regional brand. Fish allergen recommended.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | EU bottarga is established global category. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty positioning. |
| China | China has its own wuyuzi 烏魚子 mullet roe culture. |
| Korea | Niche specialty positioning. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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.
Related ingredients
Explore related ingredients
Used in similar product applications
Other ingredients commonly used in the same finished-product families.
Abura-age (Fried Thin Tofu)
油揚げ
Seasonings & saucesFermented foods
Agemaki (Jackknife Clam)
あげまき
Seasonings & saucesFermented foods
Ago Dashi (Flying Fish Stock)
あごだし
Seasonings & saucesFermented foods
Ahiru-niku (Domestic Duck)
あひる 肉
Seasonings & saucesFermented foods
Aigamo-niku (Hybrid Duck)
かも あいがも 肉
Seasonings & saucesFermented foods
Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
References
- Editorial — Japan Nagasaki karasumi heritage production reference
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.