Food · Fermented foods
Kazunoko (Salt-Cured Herring Roe)
数の子 (Kazunoko)
Also known as: Kazunoko, Salt-cured herring roe, Pacific herring roe, 数の子, Shio-kazunoko
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | 数の子 |
| Common Japanese notations | 数の子, カズノコ, 塩数の子, 味付け数の子 |
| Origin | Salt-cured Pacific herring roe; the herring used is Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii — see nishin entry) historically Hokkaido but largely Russian, Canadian, USA imports for modern supply; defining Osechi New Year ceremonial element |
| Typical functions | Osechi New Year cuisine — defining auspicious element (kazunoko = many children, fertility symbolism), Premium gift retail (December Osechi gift category), Premium foodservice and gift |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. Imported origin (Russia, Canada, USA) disclosure essential. Fish allergen recommended. |
Kazunoko (数の子) is salt-cured Pacific herring roe, defining Osechi New Year ceremonial element with auspicious 'many children' fertility symbolism. December peak retail.
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.
- Salt-cured kazunoko retail (December Osechi peak)
- Pre-flavored ajitsuke kazunoko retail (with dashi-shoyu)
- Premium Osechi-set component
What it is
Salt-cured Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) roe.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Osechi New Year defining element.
Premium gift retail.
Premium foodservice.
For OEM: salt-cured kazunoko production OEM, ajitsuke (pre-flavored) retail OEM.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Imported origin disclosure essential. Fish allergen recommended.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Niche specialty positioning. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty positioning. Major US Pacific herring fishery. |
| China | Niche specialty positioning. |
| Korea | Niche specialty positioning. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification of origin.
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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 kazunoko production reference
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.