Food · Fermented foods
Kibinago (Silver Sprat / Banded Blue Sprat)
きびなご (Kibinago)
Also known as: Kibinago, Silver sprat, Banded blue sprat, Spratelloides gracilis, 黍魚子
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | きびなご |
| Common Japanese notations | きびなご, 黍魚子, キビナゴ |
| Origin | Banded blue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis); small pelagic fish harvested in Kyushu coastal waters; principal landing region Kagoshima |
| Typical functions | Kagoshima regional cuisine signature — kibinago no chirashi-zushi, hand-arranged into 'flower-petal' sashimi presentation, Tempura, kara-age |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. Kagoshima regional specialty. Fish allergen recommended disclosure. |
Kibinago (きびなご / 黍魚子) is a Kagoshima regional small pelagic fish (Spratelloides gracilis) with distinctive culinary application — fillets are hand-arranged into flower-petal sashimi presentations. Regional cuisine signature.
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Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Fresh kibinago (Kagoshima regional)
Ingredient profile
Spratelloides gracilis small pelagic fish.
OEM applications
Kagoshima signature flower-petal sashimi.
Tempura, kara-age.
For OEM: regional Kagoshima foodservice supply.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Kagoshima regional. Fish allergen recommended.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Niche specialty positioning. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty positioning. |
| China | Niche specialty positioning. |
| Korea | Niche specialty positioning. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification of Kagoshima origin.
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Quick answers
- What is Kibinago (Silver Sprat / Banded Blue Sprat)?
- Kibinago (きびなご / 黍魚子) is a Kagoshima regional small pelagic fish (Spratelloides gracilis) with distinctive culinary application — fillets are hand-arranged into flower-petal sashimi presentations. Regional cuisine signature.
- What is the regulatory status of Kibinago (Silver Sprat / Banded Blue Sprat) in Japan?
- Standard food labeling. Kagoshima regional specialty. Fish allergen recommended disclosure.
- What products typically use Kibinago (Silver Sprat / Banded Blue Sprat)?
- Fresh kibinago (Kagoshima regional)
- Where does Kibinago (Silver Sprat / Banded Blue Sprat) come from?
- Banded blue sprat (Spratelloides gracilis); small pelagic fish harvested in Kyushu coastal waters; principal landing region Kagoshima
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Kibinago (Silver Sprat / Banded Blue Sprat)?
- JSCI: きびなご
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References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — きびなご
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.