Food · Fermented foods

Kawahagi (Filefish)

かわはぎ (Kawahagi)

Also known as: Kawahagi, Filefish, Stephanolepis cirrhifer, 皮剥

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameかわはぎ
Common Japanese notationsかわはぎ, 皮剥, カワハギ
OriginFilefish (Stephanolepis cirrhifer); harvested in Japanese coastal waters; autumn-winter peak; the liver (kimo) is a particularly prized delicacy
Typical functionsPremium kaiseki sashimi — kawahagi-no-kimo-ae (sashimi dressed with chopped liver) is a signature dish, Premium foodservice signature
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. Fish allergen recommended disclosure.

Kawahagi (かわはぎ / 皮剥) is filefish (Stephanolepis cirrhifer), a premium kaiseki fish whose liver (kimo) is a particularly prized delicacy used in kawahagi-no-kimo-ae (sashimi dressed with chopped liver). Autumn-winter peak.

Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Used in (typical product categories)

Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.

  • Fresh whole kawahagi (premium foodservice)

What it is

Stephanolepis cirrhifer filefish, premium kaiseki specialty.

Typical uses in Japanese products

Premium kaiseki sashimi with kimo-ae dressing.

For OEM: foodservice supply.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Fish allergen recommended.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUNiche specialty positioning.
USANiche specialty positioning.
ChinaNiche specialty positioning.
KoreaKorea has its own jugekki tradition.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification.

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References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — かわはぎ

Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

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