Food · Fermented foods
Nameko (Slippery Mushroom)
なめこ (Nameko)
Also known as: Nameko, Slippery mushroom, Pholiota microspora, Pholiota nameko, なめこ, 滑子
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | なめこ |
| Common Japanese notations | なめこ, 滑子, ナメコ |
| Origin | Nameko mushroom (Pholiota microspora); cultivated extensively in Japan; principal modern production regions Yamagata (volume leader), Niigata, Nagano, Hokkaido; distinctive gelatinous coating that gives the name (nameko = 'slippery one') |
| Typical functions | Nameko miso-shiru (nameko miso soup) — defining application, Nameko-oroshi (with grated daikon) — traditional appetizer, Foodservice and household soup ingredient |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard agricultural product labeling. Yamagata, Niigata, Nagano major regions. Not a designated allergen. |
Nameko (なめこ / 滑子) — Pholiota microspora — is a defining Japanese mushroom characterized by its distinctive gelatinous coating ('nameko' literally means 'slippery one'). The OEM positioning is universal: as the central ingredient of nameko miso-shiru (nameko miso soup, a household and foodservice staple), as nameko-oroshi (with grated daikon, traditional appetizer), and as a pre-cooked vacuum-pack volume retail format. Yamagata leads domestic production.
Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Pre-cooked vacuum-pack nameko (the volume retail format)
- Fresh nameko in cluster-form
- Nameko miso-soup instant retail
What it is
Pholiota microspora mushroom with gelatinous coating. Volume cultivated.
Production: Yamagata (volume leader), Niigata, Nagano, Hokkaido.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Nameko miso-shiru — central application.
Nameko-oroshi appetizer.
For OEM: pre-cooked vacuum-pack retail (volume format), fresh cluster retail, instant miso-soup retail.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Major production regions for premium positioning. Not a designated allergen.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Niche specialty positioning. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty in Asian cuisine channels. |
| China | Niche specialty positioning. |
| Korea | Niche specialty positioning. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification of regional origin.
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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 — なめこ 各形態
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.