Food · Fermented foods
Kuruma-ebi (Japanese Tiger Prawn)
くるまえび (Kuruma-ebi)
Also known as: Kuruma-ebi, Japanese tiger prawn, Marsupenaeus japonicus, 車海老, Tiger prawn
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | くるまえび |
| Common Japanese notations | くるまえび, 車海老, クルマエビ |
| Origin | Japanese tiger prawn (Marsupenaeus japonicus); both wild and farmed; principal modern domestic farming regions Kumamoto (volume leader, Amakusa area), Okinawa, Miyazaki; significant imports from Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia |
| Typical functions | Premium tempura — defining premium tempura ingredient, Sushi/sashimi (live odori-ebi sashimi for ultra-premium), Osechi New Year cuisine (the curved shape symbolizes longevity), Premium gift retail (Kumamoto Amakusa Kuruma-ebi) |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.** Kumamoto Amakusa Kuruma-ebi regional brand. |
Kuruma-ebi (くるまえび / 車海老) — Japanese tiger prawn (Marsupenaeus japonicus) — is a premium Japanese prawn with substantial OEM positions: as defining premium tempura ingredient, as sushi/sashimi (including live odori-ebi for ultra-premium), as Osechi New Year cuisine (curved shape symbolizing longevity), and as premium gift retail (Kumamoto Amakusa Kuruma-ebi). **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.**
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.
- Live kuruma-ebi (premium foodservice)
- Frozen kuruma-ebi (volume retail and foodservice)
- Pre-cooked kuruma-ebi for Osechi
What it is
Marsupenaeus japonicus Japanese tiger prawn. Wild and farmed.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Premium tempura.
Sushi/sashimi (odori-ebi ultra-premium).
Osechi New Year cuisine.
Premium Kumamoto Amakusa gift retail.
For OEM: live cold-chain supply, frozen retail, pre-cooked Osechi production.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.** Amakusa regional brand.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Imported as Japanese tiger prawn. Crustacean allergen mandatory. |
|---|---|
| USA | Established US premium specialty. Crustacean allergen mandatory. |
| China | Premium specialty positioning. |
| Korea | Niche premium specialty. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification of Kumamoto Amakusa origin.
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From the same origin
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References
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — くるまえび 養殖 各形態
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.