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'.
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.
- Shelf-stable mezashi retail (volume preserve category)
- Premium specialty mezashi retail
- Foodservice nostalgic-cuisine supply
What it is
Salt-cured small sardine (maiwashi/katakuchi/urume) skewered through eye sockets in pairs and dried.
Typical uses in Japanese products
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. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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Sharing similar functions
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From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
References
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — めざし
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.