Food · Fermented foods
Sakura-ebi (Cherry Shrimp)
さくらえび (Sakura-ebi)
Also known as: Sakura-ebi, Cherry shrimp, Sergia lucens, 桜えび, Yu-shi-ebi
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | さくらえび |
| Common Japanese notations | さくらえび, 桜えび, サクラエビ |
| Origin | Cherry shrimp (Sergia lucens); small pelagic shrimp; principal Japanese harvest region Suruga Bay (Shizuoka — exclusive Japanese commercial fishery, with Yui being the heritage town); spring and autumn fishing seasons |
| Typical functions | Sakura-ebi tempura (kakiage) — Suruga Bay regional signature, Premium gift retail (Yui sakura-ebi), Furikake and seasoning |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.** Suruga Bay Yui-no-Sakura-ebi heritage area established. |
Sakura-ebi (さくらえび / 桜えび) — cherry shrimp (Sergia lucens) — is a small pelagic shrimp harvested exclusively in Suruga Bay (Shizuoka, with Yui as heritage town) — Japan's only commercial cherry shrimp fishery. The OEM positioning includes kakiage tempura signature, premium gift retail, and furikake/seasoning. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.**
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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.
- Fresh sakura-ebi (Suruga Bay seasonal)
- Sun-dried sakura-ebi (year-round retail)
- Boiled sakura-ebi retail
Ingredient profile
Sergia lucens cherry shrimp, exclusive to Suruga Bay commercial fishery.
OEM applications
Kakiage tempura — Suruga Bay regional signature.
Premium Yui-no-sakura-ebi gift retail.
Furikake and seasoning.
For OEM: sun-dried sakura-ebi retail, regional gift retail.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.** Suruga Bay heritage origin.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Niche specialty positioning. Crustacean allergen mandatory. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty positioning. Crustacean allergen mandatory. |
| China | China has its own small shrimp tradition (different species). |
| Korea | Niche specialty positioning. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification of Suruga Bay Yui origin.
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.
Seasonality & supply calendar
- Harvest months
- Spring run: late March – early June; autumn run: late October – late December
- Peak supply
- April (spring) and November (autumn)
- Off-season
- Closed January – March and July – October (繁殖保護)
Source: 静岡県由比港・大井川港 sakura-ebi 漁協. Suruga Bay (Shizuoka) is the only commercial domestic source; Taiwan imports cover gaps.
Storage requirements
How the receiving OEM facility needs to handle inbound raw material.
- Temperature
- Frozen −20°C for raw; sealed dry storage for sun-dried product
- Conditions
- Color- and moisture-sensitive; sun-dried must be stored sealed against humidity
- Shelf life
- Raw frozen 6 months; sun-dried 6 months sealed
Supply concentration
Where this ingredient comes from — useful for single-source-risk planning.
- Primary regions
- Suruga Bay (Shizuoka — Yui / Oigawa ports)
- Import dependence
- Domestic supply only from Suruga Bay; Taiwanese imports cover 70%+ of wholesale demand
静岡県 由比港・大井川港 sakura-ebi 漁協
Certifications commonly available
Certification schemes commonly obtainable for this raw material. Always confirm the specific supplier's current certificate before contracting.
| Scheme | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
| Halal | On-request | |
| Kosher | Unavailable | |
| MSC | Unavailable |
Documented adulteration risks
Known fraud / adulteration patterns reported by regulators or industry bodies. Specify CoA params and screening tests on every PO.
- Origin fraud: Taiwanese sakura-ebi labeled as Suruga Bay (Shizuoka) product
Detection: Country-of-origin label per 食品表示法; isotope-ratio analysis for origin verification
静岡県 / 消費者庁 表示違反事例
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Sakura-ebi (Cherry Shrimp)?
- Sakura-ebi (さくらえび / 桜えび) — cherry shrimp (Sergia lucens) — is a small pelagic shrimp harvested exclusively in Suruga Bay (Shizuoka, with Yui as heritage town) — Japan's only commercial cherry shrimp fishery. The OEM positioning includes kakiage tempura signature, premium gift retail, and furikake/seasoning. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.**
- What is the regulatory status of Sakura-ebi (Cherry Shrimp) in Japan?
- Standard food labeling. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.** Suruga Bay Yui-no-Sakura-ebi heritage area established.
- What products typically use Sakura-ebi (Cherry Shrimp)?
- Fresh sakura-ebi (Suruga Bay seasonal) / Sun-dried sakura-ebi (year-round retail) / Boiled sakura-ebi retail
- Where does Sakura-ebi (Cherry Shrimp) come from?
- Cherry shrimp (Sergia lucens); small pelagic shrimp; principal Japanese harvest region Suruga Bay (Shizuoka — exclusive Japanese commercial fishery, with Yui being the heritage town); spring and autumn fishing seasons
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Sakura-ebi (Cherry Shrimp)?
- JSCI: さくらえび
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Sharing similar functions
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From the same origin
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References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — さくらえび 各形態
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.