Food · Fermented foods
Maaji (Japanese Horse Mackerel)
まあじ (Maaji)
Also known as: Maaji, Aji, Japanese horse mackerel, Japanese jack mackerel, Trachurus japonicus, 真鯵, マアジ
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | まあじ 生 / 水煮 / 焼き / 開き干し / フライ |
| Common Japanese notations | まあじ, 真鯵, アジ, マアジ |
| Origin | Japanese horse mackerel (Trachurus japonicus); principal domestic regions Nagasaki, Shimane, Ehime, Wakayama; **Seki-aji (関アジ)** Bungo-Strait premium-line-caught is iconic top-tier brand (Oita prefecture, Hayasui-no-Seto current); modern aquaculture (Oita, Mie) growing; **aji-no-hiraki (split-dried aji) is an iconic Japanese breakfast preserve** |
| Typical functions | Aji-no-hiraki (split-dried) — iconic Japanese breakfast preserve, Sashimi/sushi tataki preparation, Aji-fry (panko-fried fillet) defining katei-ryori (家庭料理), Nanban-zuke (sweet-vinegar fried fillet), Seki-aji premium provenance — top-tier sashimi brand |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required.** **Fish (mackerel) JAS-mandatory allergen** — must be declared. Mercury moderate; pregnancy-advisory MHLW guidance applies. |
Maaji (まあじ / 真鯵) — Japanese horse mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) — is a defining everyday Japanese fish. **Aji-no-hiraki split-dried** is iconic breakfast preserve. **Seki-aji (Bungo-Strait line-caught) is the top-tier sashimi brand.** **JAS-mandatory mackerel allergen disclosure.**
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 aji whole-fish retail
- Aji-no-hiraki retail (split-dried preserve)
- Frozen fillet B2B (foodservice and aji-fry retail)
- Seki-aji premium-brand category
What it is
Trachurus japonicus Japanese horse mackerel.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Aji-no-hiraki iconic breakfast split-dried preserve.
Sashimi/sushi/tataki preparation.
Aji-fry defining home-cuisine.
Nanban-zuke sweet-vinegar fry.
Seki-aji premium sashimi brand.
For OEM: hiraki retail, foodservice frozen fillet, aji-fry retail, premium provenance.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Origin disclosure.
**Mackerel JAS-mandatory allergen — disclosure required.**
Mercury moderate; pregnancy-advisory MHLW guidance applies.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | **Fish EU-mandatory allergen.** Established Asian-cuisine market. |
|---|---|
| USA | Fish allergen disclosure. Established sushi-channel market. |
| China | Established as 鯵 / 池鱼. |
| Korea | Established as 전갱이 (jeon-gaengi). |
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 — まあじ 生 / 水煮 / 焼き / 開き干し
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.