Food · Fermented foods

Suketō-dara (Alaska Pollock)

すけとうだら (Suketō-dara)

Also known as: Suketō-dara, Alaska pollock, Walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma, Gadus chalcogrammus, 介党鱈, Mentaiko (roe — separate product), Tarako

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameすけとうだら
Common Japanese notationsすけとうだら, 介党鱈, スケトウダラ, 明太子, たらこ
OriginAlaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus); North Pacific pelagic fish; major commercial species supplying surimi (fish paste) industry, kamaboko, fish-cake products, fish-fingers, and the iconic Japanese mentaiko/tarako (salt-cured roe — defining Hakata regional specialty)
Typical functionsSurimi (fish paste) industry — major raw material, Mentaiko/tarako salt-cured roe (Hakata mentaiko regional signature), Kamaboko, chikuwa, fish-cake industrial supply, Fish-finger and frozen fish-cutlet industry
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. Imported origin (Russia, USA Alaska) disclosure essential. **Fish allergen recommended disclosure.** Mentaiko (spicy) and tarako (regular) is paired premium product.

Suketō-dara (すけとうだら / 介党鱈) — Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) — is one of the world's major commercial fish species supplying Japan's surimi (fish paste) industry, kamaboko/chikuwa production, and the iconic Hakata mentaiko/tarako (salt-cured roe — a major regional gift specialty). Domestic Hokkaido and Russian/Alaskan imports both significant.

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.

  • Frozen suketō-dara fillet (industrial volume)
  • Mentaiko/tarako retail (Hakata regional gift major)
  • Surimi industrial supply

What it is

Gadus chalcogrammus Alaska pollock. Major commercial pelagic species.

Typical uses in Japanese products

Surimi industry — major raw material.

Mentaiko/tarako salt-cured roe.

Kamaboko, chikuwa, fish-cake.

Fish-finger and frozen products.

For OEM: surimi industrial supply, mentaiko/tarako production OEM, kamaboko production.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Imported origin disclosure. Fish allergen recommended.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUMajor established Alaska pollock trade.
USAMajor US Alaska pollock industry — world's largest single-species fishery.
ChinaMajor surimi and processing industry.
KoreaMajor Korean myeongtae tradition.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification of origin.

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References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — すけとうだら

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

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