Why source from Japan
Domestic aquaculture (Akamizu Bay) and Seto wild-harvest produce premium tiger prawn distinguished from imported supply by stripe pattern and umami profile.
Key spec
Protein 18-22%; taurine 800-1,200 mg/100g; chitin / chitosan from shell upcycling 15-25%.
Typical end-product
Live odori-ebi sushi, tempura premium, chitosan functional ingredient.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 2 suppliers
- Typical MOQ
- 10–50 kg live / fresh; 5–25 kg frozen; 1–10 kg shell waste / extract
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Yamaguchi (Akamizu), Kumamoto, Ehime, Hyogo (Seto)
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- Year-round (aquaculture); wild peak July – September
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; phytosanitary for live; shellfish-allergen labelling
- Japanese name
- 車海老
- Romaji
- 車海老
About this ingredient
Japanese tiger prawn (Marsupenaeus japonicus) — a sushi / tempura premium classic. Aquaculture in Yamaguchi (Akamizu Bay), Kumamoto, and Ehime produces the principal commercial supply; wild-harvest in Tokyo Bay and Seto Inland Sea adds smaller volumes. Distinguished from imported tiger prawns by characteristic stripe pattern and richer umami. Used live-shipped for sashimi (odori-ebi), grilled, tempura, and as a feedstock for chitin / chitosan supplement extraction. Distinct from existing shellfish entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; phytosanitary for live; shellfish-allergen labelling |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; shellfish-allergen labelling |
| United States | GRAS; FDA Prior Notice; shellfish-allergen labelling |
| China | GACC; live-shellfish inspection |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Kuruma Prawn (Japanese Tiger Prawn) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
Fucoidan
フコイダン
INCI Fucoidan (from various brown seaweeds); MOQ from 1–10 kg.
Plant-based· shares 2 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Disclaimer
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Last updated: 2026-05-05