Food · Fermented foods

Yari-ika (Spear Squid)

やりいか (Yari-ika)

Also known as: Yari-ika, Spear squid, Heterololigo bleekeri, 槍烏賊

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At a glance

Category	Food
Japanese labeling name	やりいか
Common Japanese notations	やりいか, 槍烏賊, ヤリイカ
Origin	Spear squid (Heterololigo bleekeri); coastal squid species; winter-spring season; favored for sushi sashimi presentation
Typical functions	Premium sushi/sashimi — distinctive elongated form for sushi presentation, Foodservice premium specialty
Regulatory status in Japan	Standard food labeling. Mollusc allergen recommended.

Yari-ika (やりいか / 槍烏賊) is spear squid, premium winter-spring sushi/sashimi squid with elongated form for distinctive presentation.

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Classification

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Product applications

Functions

Flavoring486

Regulatory tags

Culinary ingredient512

Origin

Marine-derived163

Common OEM product categories

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

Fresh whole yari-ika (foodservice)

Ingredient profile

Heterololigo bleekeri spear squid.

OEM applications

Premium sushi/sashimi.

For OEM: foodservice supply.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Mollusc allergen recommended.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EU	Niche specialty positioning.
USA	Niche specialty positioning.
China	Established trade.
Korea	Established trade.

Market reference formulations

Example finished products will be added after verification.

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Seasonality & supply calendar

Harvest months: November – March (winter Sea of Japan / Setouchi)
Peak supply: December – February
Off-season: April – October (limited supply)

Source: 水産庁. Yamaguchi (萩), Aomori (むつ湾), Kagawa lead winter landings.

Alternative ingredients

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Quick answers

What is Yari-ika (Spear Squid)?: Yari-ika (やりいか / 槍烏賊) is spear squid, premium winter-spring sushi/sashimi squid with elongated form for distinctive presentation.
What is the regulatory status of Yari-ika (Spear Squid) in Japan?: Standard food labeling. **Mollusc allergen recommended.**
What products typically use Yari-ika (Spear Squid)?: Fresh whole yari-ika (foodservice)
Where does Yari-ika (Spear Squid) come from?: Spear squid (Heterololigo bleekeri); coastal squid species; winter-spring season; favored for sushi sashimi presentation
What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Yari-ika (Spear Squid)?: JSCI: やりいか

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Official regulatory databases

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MEXT 食品成分DB（検索） ↗

References

文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — やりいか

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