Food · Fermented foods

Kuro-Kajiki (Black Marlin)

くろかじき (Kuro-kajiki)

Also known as: Kuro-kajiki, Black marlin, Pacific blue marlin, Istiompax indica, Makaira mazara, 黒梶木, クロカジキ

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameくろかじき
Common Japanese notationsくろかじき, 黒梶木, クロカジキ, シロカワカジキ
OriginBlack marlin (Istiompax indica) and related Pacific blue marlin (Makaira mazara); large pelagic ocean fish; principal domestic landings Miyagi (Kesennuma), Wakayama, Kanagawa; **heaviest-flesh kajiki species — paler-flesh than makajiki, closer color to maguro (tuna)**; widely sold under 'kajiki-maguro' commercial name; defining ingredient for **kajiki-jerky and kajiki-smoke** premium specialty
Typical functionsSashimi — paler-flesh kajiki sashimi, Steak preparation, Smoked kajiki premium specialty, Kajiki-jerky retail, Foodservice supply
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. **Origin disclosure.** **Fish JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** **Mercury MHLW pregnancy-advisory: limit kajiki to 80g/week.**

Kuro-kajiki (くろかじき / 黒梶木) is black marlin (Istiompax indica) — heaviest-flesh kajiki species, paler-flesh than makajiki. Sashimi, steak, smoke, jerky applications. **Mercury MHLW pregnancy-advisory: limit to 80g/week.**

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 kuro-kajiki sashimi-grade retail
  • Frozen fillet B2B (foodservice steak channel)
  • Smoked kuro-kajiki specialty
  • Kajiki-jerky retail

What it is

Istiompax indica / Makaira mazara black marlin (NOT a tuna despite 'kajiki-maguro' merchant name).

Typical uses in Japanese products

Sashimi paler-flesh kajiki.

Steak preparation.

Smoked kajiki specialty.

Kajiki-jerky retail.

Foodservice supply.

For OEM: sashimi-grade retail, frozen fillet B2B, smoked specialty, jerky retail.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling.

**Fish JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**

**Mercury MHLW pregnancy-advisory: limit to 80g/week.**

Regulatory classification in other markets

EU**Fish EU-mandatory allergen.** Mercury monitoring.
USAFish allergen disclosure. **FDA mercury advisory — pregnant women avoid marlin.**
ChinaPremium import market.
KoreaPremium import market.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification.

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.

Related ingredients

References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — くろかじき

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

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