Food · Fermented foods

Kiri-mitsuba (Cut Mitsuba / Japanese Honewort)

切りみつば (Kiri-mitsuba)

Also known as: Kiri-mitsuba, Cut mitsuba, Cryptotaenia japonica, 切り三つ葉, Mitsuba

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling name切りみつば
Common Japanese notations切りみつば, 切り三つ葉, ミツバ
OriginCryptotaenia japonica (Japanese honewort / mitsuba); the kiri-mitsuba ('cut mitsuba') variant is grown in dark cultivation producing pale slender stalks; principal modern production in Saitama, Chiba, Aichi
Typical functionsSoup and chawanmushi garnish — defining Japanese herb accent, Sushi roll and onigiri filling, Premium kaiseki herb
Regulatory status in JapanStandard agricultural product labeling. Saitama, Chiba, Aichi major production. Not a designated allergen.

Kiri-mitsuba (切りみつば) is the dark-cultivated form of mitsuba (Cryptotaenia japonica / Japanese honewort), with pale slender stalks and tender leaves. The OEM positioning is universal Japanese cuisine herb: as a soup and chawanmushi garnish (canonical aromatic accent), as a sushi roll and onigiri filling, and as a premium kaiseki herb. Saitama, Chiba, Aichi are major production regions.

Classification

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

Functions

Regulatory tags

Used in (typical product categories)

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

  • Fresh kiri-mitsuba retail (year-round)
  • Pre-cut kiri-mitsuba (foodservice)

What it is

Cryptotaenia japonica (mitsuba) cultivated in dark conditions producing pale stalks.

Typical uses in Japanese products

Soup and chawanmushi garnish.

Sushi roll and onigiri filling.

Premium kaiseki herb.

For OEM: fresh kiri-mitsuba retail, pre-cut foodservice supply.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Major production regions. Not a designated allergen.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUNiche specialty in Japanese-cuisine channels.
USANiche specialty positioning.
ChinaNiche specialty positioning.
KoreaNiche specialty positioning.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification of regional 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.

References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — 切りみつば

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

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