Food · Fermented foods
Kouika (Cuttlefish)
こういか (Kouika)
Also known as: Kouika, Cuttlefish, Sepia esculenta, 甲烏賊, Sumi-ika
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | こういか |
| Common Japanese notations | こういか, 甲烏賊, コウイカ, スミイカ |
| Origin | Cuttlefish (Sepia esculenta); coastal waters; thick body suited to sushi sashimi |
| Typical functions | Premium sushi/sashimi — Edomae signature white-flesh squid |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. Mollusc allergen recommended disclosure. |
Kouika (こういか / 甲烏賊) is cuttlefish (Sepia esculenta), distinct from squid. Premium Edomae sushi/sashimi white-flesh signature.
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.
- Fresh whole kouika (foodservice)
What it is
Sepia esculenta cuttlefish, distinct from squid.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Edomae sushi/sashimi.
For OEM: foodservice premium supply.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Mollusc allergen recommended.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Established global cuttlefish trade. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty in Asian cuisine. |
| China | Established global trade. |
| Korea | Niche specialty positioning. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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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
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — こういか
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.