Food · Fermented foods

Ma-dai (Japanese Red Sea Bream)

まだい (Ma-dai)

Also known as: Ma-dai, Japanese red sea bream, Tai, Pagrus major, 真鯛, 鯛

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At a glance

Category	Food
Japanese labeling name	まだい
Common Japanese notations	まだい, 真鯛, マダイ, 鯛
Origin	Japanese red sea bream (Pagrus major); both wild and farmed; principal modern domestic farming Ehime (Uwajima), Mie, Kumamoto, Nagasaki; iconic ceremonial Japanese fish — 'tai' is associated with auspicious 'medetai' wordplay; central to celebrations (weddings, New Year, Iwai)
Typical functions	Iconic celebration fish — wedding, New Year, Iwai (auspicious occasions), Premium sashimi/sushi white-flesh signature, Tai-meshi (sea bream rice) regional specialty (Ehime), Tai-no-arani simmered preparations, Premium gift retail (Akashi-dai, Naruto-dai, Awaji-dai)
Regulatory status in Japan	Standard food labeling. Wild vs farmed disclosure essential. Multiple regional brands (Akashi-dai Hyogo, Naruto-dai Tokushima, Awaji-dai Hyogo). Fish allergen recommended.

Ma-dai (まだい / 真鯛) — Japanese red sea bream (Pagrus major) — is one of Japan's most culturally and ceremonially significant fish, central to weddings, New Year, and auspicious celebrations (the 'tai/medetai' wordplay). OEM positions: ceremonial whole tai, premium sushi/sashimi, regional Tai-meshi specialty (Ehime), and premium gift retail (Akashi-dai, Naruto-dai). Both wild and farmed.

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Classification

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Product applications

Functions

Flavoring486

Regulatory tags

Culinary ingredient512

Origin

Marine-derived163

Common OEM product categories

Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.

Fresh whole tai (foodservice and ceremonial gift)
Sushi/sashimi tai fillet
Pre-prepared tai-no-shioyaki for ceremonial use
Premium regional gift retail (Akashi-dai, Naruto-dai)

Ingredient profile

Pagrus major Japanese red sea bream. Wild and farmed.

Production: Ehime (Uwajima — major farmer), Mie, Kumamoto, Nagasaki.

OEM applications

Ceremonial whole tai for weddings/New Year.

Premium sushi/sashimi.

Tai-meshi Ehime regional specialty.

Tai-no-arani simmered.

Premium gift retail (Akashi-dai, Naruto-dai).

For OEM: ceremonial whole tai supply, sushi-grade fillet, regional gift retail.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Wild/farmed disclosure essential. Regional brands. Fish allergen recommended.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EU	Niche premium specialty in Japanese-cuisine channels.
USA	Established US Japanese-cuisine specialty.
China	Established global trade.
Korea	Established Korean dom (도미) tradition.

Market reference formulations

Example finished products will be added after verification of wild/farmed and regional origin.

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Quick answers

What is Ma-dai (Japanese Red Sea Bream)?: Ma-dai (まだい / 真鯛) — Japanese red sea bream (Pagrus major) — is one of Japan's most culturally and ceremonially significant fish, central to weddings, New Year, and auspicious celebrations (the 'tai/medetai' wordplay). OEM positions: ceremonial whole tai, premium sushi/sashimi, regional Tai-meshi specialty (Ehime), and premium gift retail (Akashi-dai, Naruto-dai). Both wild and farmed.
What is the regulatory status of Ma-dai (Japanese Red Sea Bream) in Japan?: Standard food labeling. Wild vs farmed disclosure essential. Multiple regional brands (Akashi-dai Hyogo, Naruto-dai Tokushima, Awaji-dai Hyogo). Fish allergen recommended.
What products typically use Ma-dai (Japanese Red Sea Bream)?: Fresh whole tai (foodservice and ceremonial gift) / Sushi/sashimi tai fillet / Pre-prepared tai-no-shioyaki for ceremonial use / Premium regional gift retail (Akashi-dai, Naruto-dai)
Where does Ma-dai (Japanese Red Sea Bream) come from?: Japanese red sea bream (Pagrus major); both wild and farmed; principal modern domestic farming Ehime (Uwajima), Mie, Kumamoto, Nagasaki; iconic ceremonial Japanese fish — 'tai' is associated with auspicious 'medetai' wordplay; central to celebrations (weddings, New Year, Iwai)
What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Ma-dai (Japanese Red Sea Bream)?: JSCI: まだい

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MEXT 食品成分DB（検索） ↗

References

文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — まだい各形態

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