Food · Fermented foods

Surume-ika (Japanese Flying Squid)

するめいか (Surume-ika)

Also known as: Surume-ika, Japanese flying squid, Todarodes pacificus, 鯣烏賊, Surume (dried squid)

Looking for a Japanese supplier of Surume-ika (Japanese Flying Squid)? Tell us

At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameするめいか
Common Japanese notationsするめいか, 鯣烏賊, スルメイカ, するめ
OriginJapanese flying squid (Todarodes pacificus); volume Japanese squid species; principal landings Hokkaido (volume leader, Hakodate Surume-ika heritage), Aomori, Iwate, Ishikawa, Niigata; declining catches due to stock changes
Typical functionsSashimi and sushi (Hakodate ika-sashi heritage), Surume (dried squid) — traditional snack and dashi ingredient, Ika-meshi (squid stuffed with rice) — Hokkaido specialty, Ika-no-shiokara (salt-fermented squid)
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. Hakodate ika regional brand. **Mollusc allergen recommended disclosure.** Stock decline supply concerns.

Surume-ika (するめいか / 鯣烏賊) — Japanese flying squid (Todarodes pacificus) — is the volume Japanese squid species. Hakodate is the heritage landing port (Hakodate ika-sashi is iconic). OEM applications: fresh sashimi/sushi, surume (dried squid), Hokkaido ika-meshi specialty, ika-no-shiokara fermented. Stock decline is a structural concern.

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.

  • Fresh whole surume-ika (foodservice)
  • Frozen surume-ika (volume processed)
  • Surume (dried) retail
  • Ika-meshi Hokkaido retail

What it is

Todarodes pacificus Japanese flying squid.

Typical uses in Japanese products

Sashimi and sushi.

Surume dried squid.

Ika-meshi Hokkaido specialty.

Ika-no-shiokara fermented.

For OEM: fresh and frozen retail, surume production, ika-meshi production.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Hakodate regional brand. Mollusc allergen recommended.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUEstablished global squid trade. Mollusc allergen mandatory.
USAEstablished US squid market. Mollusc allergen mandatory.
ChinaMajor global trade.
KoreaEstablished Korean ojingeo (오징어) tradition.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification of 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.

Related ingredients

References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — するめいか 各形態

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

Explore more Japan-market resources

Related tools for overseas buyers, formulators, and sourcing teams.