Food · Fermented foods

Makajiki (Indo-Pacific Blue Marlin)

まかじき (Makajiki)

Also known as: Makajiki, Indo-Pacific blue marlin, Striped marlin, Kajiki-maguro (legacy), Tetrapturus audax, 真梶木

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameまかじき
Common Japanese notationsまかじき, 真梶木, マカジキ, カジキマグロ (商業名)
OriginStriped marlin (Kajikia audax / Tetrapturus audax); pelagic temperate-water fish; principal domestic landings Miyagi (Kesennuma), Iwate, Wakayama, Kanagawa, Shizuoka; **historically marketed as 'kajiki-maguro' but is NOT taxonomically a tuna** — modern labeling rules require accurate naming; defining Kanto-region kajiki-cuisine fish
Typical functionsSashimi premium — kajiki-sashimi staple in eastern Japan, Steak preparation — firm flesh suits western-style cooking, Smoke-cured premium retail, Sushi nigiri (regional)
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required.** Historical 'kajiki-maguro' name is technically inaccurate — modern labeling guidance prefers 'makajiki' or 'kajiki'. **Fish allergen** — **mackerel/salmon are JAS-mandatory; marlin is JAS-recommended-disclosure**. **Mercury moderate-to-high; pregnancy-advisory MHLW guidance applies (limit kajiki to 80g/week).**

Makajiki (まかじき / 真梶木) is the striped marlin (Kajikia audax) — premium pelagic fish landed at Kesennuma, Wakayama. **Despite historical 'kajiki-maguro' merchant name, marlin is NOT a tuna.** Defining sashimi/steak. **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 makajiki sashimi-grade retail
  • Frozen fillet B2B (foodservice steak channel)
  • Smoked makajiki specialty

What it is

Kajikia audax / Tetrapturus audax striped marlin (NOT a tuna).

Typical uses in Japanese products

Premium sashimi (eastern Japan).

Steak western-style cooking.

Smoke-cured retail.

Sushi nigiri (regional).

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

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Origin disclosure.

Modern naming guidance prefers 'makajiki' over historical 'kajiki-maguro'.

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

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

Regulatory classification in other markets

EU**Fish EU-mandatory allergen.** Mercury monitoring (EFSA).
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 — まかじき

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

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