Food · Fermented foods

Ushi-tan (Beef Tongue)

牛 副生物 舌 (Ushi-tan)

Also known as: Ushi-tan, Beef tongue, 牛タン, Gyū-tan

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling name牛 副生物 舌
Common Japanese notations牛タン, 牛舌, ウシタン, Gyū-tan
OriginBeef tongue offal; principal supply USA, Australia imports for cost-positioned mass-market; Sendai (Miyagi) is the heritage gyū-tan production center for premium Japanese-style preparation
Typical functionsSendai gyū-tan-yaki — defining regional cuisine signature, Premium yakiniku tongue cut, Tongue-deli (Western-style)
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. Sendai gyū-tan regional brand established. Imported origin disclosure essential. Not a designated allergen.

Ushi-tan (牛タン) — beef tongue — is a defining Sendai (Miyagi) regional cuisine ingredient (gyū-tan-yaki). Imported principally from USA and Australia.

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.

  • Pre-cooked Sendai gyū-tan retail (premium gift)
  • Frozen sliced tan retail (yakiniku)

What it is

Beef tongue offal.

Typical uses in Japanese products

Sendai gyū-tan-yaki — regional signature.

Yakiniku tan.

Tongue-deli.

For OEM: Sendai gyū-tan production OEM, premium gift retail.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Sendai regional brand. Imported origin disclosure. Not a designated allergen.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUEstablished offal market.
USAMajor US beef tongue export.
ChinaMajor Chinese beef tongue cuisine.
KoreaEstablished Korean uhyeo tradition.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification.

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Related ingredients

References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — 牛 副生物 舌 各形態

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

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