Food · Fermented foods

Urume-Iwashi (Round Herring)

うるめいわし (Urume-iwashi)

Also known as: Urume-iwashi, Round herring, Big-eyed herring, Etrumeus teres, 潤目鰯, Urume

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameうるめいわし
Common Japanese notationsうるめいわし, 潤目鰯, ウルメイワシ
OriginRound herring (Etrumeus teres / Etrumeus sadina); distinct from common sardine (maiwashi) and Japanese pilchard (katakuchi-iwashi); principal domestic regions Kochi (Tosa Bay — premium urume-meshi), Wakayama, Mie, Shizuoka; defining ingredient for **urume-niboshi (premium niboshi dashi stock)** with cleaner, deeper umami than maiwashi-niboshi
Typical functionsUrume-niboshi premium dashi-stock niboshi — deeper umami than maiwashi, Maru-boshi (whole-dried urume) — Tosa Bay specialty, Mezashi (skewered salt-dried) — premium pre-modern preserve, Foodservice high-end soba/udon broth signature
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required.** Sardine (urume-iwashi) is **JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** Premium dashi-stock category.

Urume-iwashi (うるめいわし / 潤目鰯) is the round herring (Etrumeus teres) — distinct from common sardine. Defining ingredient for **premium urume-niboshi dashi-stock** with deeper, cleaner umami than maiwashi-niboshi. Kochi Tosa Bay, Wakayama, Mie producers.

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Classification

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Common OEM product categories

Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.

  • Urume-niboshi B2B dashi-stock raw material (premium soba/udon channel)
  • Maru-boshi retail
  • Mezashi specialty retail

Ingredient profile

Etrumeus teres / sadina round herring.

OEM applications

Urume-niboshi premium dashi-stock B2B.

Maru-boshi whole-dried (Tosa specialty).

Mezashi salt-dried preserve.

Foodservice premium soba/udon broth.

For OEM: niboshi B2B raw material, retail dried-fish.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Origin disclosure. **Sardine JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**

Regulatory classification in other markets

EU**Fish EU-mandatory allergen.** Niche specialty in Asian-cuisine and dashi channel.
USAFish allergen disclosure. Niche specialty positioning.
ChinaNiche dashi-stock specialty.
KoreaNiche specialty.

Market reference formulations

Example finished products will be added after verification.

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.

Alternative ingredients

Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.

Quick answers

What is Urume-Iwashi (Round Herring)?
Urume-iwashi (うるめいわし / 潤目鰯) is the round herring (Etrumeus teres) — distinct from common sardine. Defining ingredient for **premium urume-niboshi dashi-stock** with deeper, cleaner umami than maiwashi-niboshi. Kochi Tosa Bay, Wakayama, Mie producers.
What is the regulatory status of Urume-Iwashi (Round Herring) in Japan?
Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required.** Sardine (urume-iwashi) is **JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** Premium dashi-stock category.
What products typically use Urume-Iwashi (Round Herring)?
Urume-niboshi B2B dashi-stock raw material (premium soba/udon channel) / Maru-boshi retail / Mezashi specialty retail
Where does Urume-Iwashi (Round Herring) come from?
Round herring (Etrumeus teres / Etrumeus sadina); distinct from common sardine (maiwashi) and Japanese pilchard (katakuchi-iwashi); principal domestic regions Kochi (Tosa Bay — premium urume-meshi), Wakayama, Mie, Shizuoka; defining ingredient for **urume-niboshi (premium niboshi dashi stock)** with cleaner, deeper umami than maiwashi-niboshi
What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Urume-Iwashi (Round Herring)?
JSCI: うるめいわし

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References

  1. 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — うるめいわし

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

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