Food · Fermented foods
Mezashi (Salt-Dried Sardine Skewer)
めざし (Mezashi)
Also known as: Mezashi, Salt-dried sardine skewer, Mezashi-iwashi, 目刺し
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | めざし |
| Common Japanese notations | めざし, 目刺し, メザシ |
| Origin | Mezashi is a preparation rather than a species — small sardines (typically maiwashi/Sardinops melanostictus or katakuchi-iwashi/Engraulis japonicus or urume-iwashi/Etrumeus teres) salt-cured then skewered through the eye sockets in pairs (the source of the name '目刺し' — 'eye-skewered') and dried; principal regions historically Wakayama, Mie, Shizuoka, Hyogo; **iconic shōwa-era working-class staple breakfast** evoking nostalgia; modern category retail-driven |
| Typical functions | Iconic shōwa-era breakfast preserve — distinctive cultural nostalgia, Grill-prepared (most common preparation), Bar/pub side dish (otsumami), Premium foodservice nostalgic-cuisine signature |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Origin and species disclosure required (which iwashi).** **Sardine fish JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen consideration.** Salt content high (preserve category). |
Mezashi (めざし / 目刺し) is salt-cured sardine (maiwashi, katakuchi, or urume) skewered through the eye sockets in pairs and dried. Iconic shōwa-era working-class breakfast preserve. The name literally means 'eye-skewered'.
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Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Shelf-stable mezashi retail (volume preserve category)
- Premium specialty mezashi retail
- Foodservice nostalgic-cuisine supply
Ingredient profile
Salt-cured small sardine (maiwashi/katakuchi/urume) skewered through eye sockets in pairs and dried.
OEM applications
Iconic shōwa breakfast (nostalgic-cuisine).
Grill-prepared.
Otsumami pub side dish.
Foodservice nostalgic signature.
For OEM: shelf-stable retail, premium specialty retail, foodservice supply.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling.
Origin and species (which iwashi) disclosure required.
**Sardine JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen consideration.**
Salt content high (preserve category).
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | **Fish EU-mandatory allergen.** Niche specialty in Asian-cuisine channel. |
|---|---|
| USA | Fish allergen disclosure. Niche Japanese-cuisine specialty. |
| China | Niche specialty. |
| Korea | Niche specialty. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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Quick answers
- What is Mezashi (Salt-Dried Sardine Skewer)?
- Mezashi (めざし / 目刺し) is salt-cured sardine (maiwashi, katakuchi, or urume) skewered through the eye sockets in pairs and dried. Iconic shōwa-era working-class breakfast preserve. The name literally means 'eye-skewered'.
- What is the regulatory status of Mezashi (Salt-Dried Sardine Skewer) in Japan?
- Standard food labeling. **Origin and species disclosure required (which iwashi).** **Sardine fish JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen consideration.** Salt content high (preserve category).
- What products typically use Mezashi (Salt-Dried Sardine Skewer)?
- Shelf-stable mezashi retail (volume preserve category) / Premium specialty mezashi retail / Foodservice nostalgic-cuisine supply
- Where does Mezashi (Salt-Dried Sardine Skewer) come from?
- Mezashi is a preparation rather than a species — small sardines (typically maiwashi/Sardinops melanostictus or katakuchi-iwashi/Engraulis japonicus or urume-iwashi/Etrumeus teres) salt-cured then skewered through the eye sockets in pairs (the source of the name '目刺し' — 'eye-skewered') and dried; principal regions historically Wakayama, Mie, Shizuoka, Hyogo; **iconic shōwa-era working-class staple breakfast** evoking nostalgia; modern category retail-driven
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Mezashi (Salt-Dried Sardine Skewer)?
- JSCI: めざし
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References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — めざし
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.