Why source from Japan
Japanese tofu industry's mass volume produces the cleanest, most consistent okara supply globally; specialty upcyclers have built export-grade processing infrastructure.
Key spec
Dietary fibre 40-55% dry weight; protein 25-30%; isoflavone content carries over from soy.
Typical end-product
Plant-based meat alternative ingredient, gluten-free baking flour, high-fibre meal-replacement products.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 2 suppliers
- Typical MOQ
- 100 kg fresh paste; 10–50 kg dried; 5–25 kg protein isolate
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Aichi, Niigata, Saitama
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- Year-round (continuous tofu production)
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; JAS-eligible processing routes; FFC notifications exist for fibre content
- Japanese name
- おから
- Romaji
- Okara
About this ingredient
Insoluble fibre and protein residue from soy-milk and tofu production. Long treated as feed/fertiliser in Japan, modern upcycling has converted okara into a high-fibre, high-protein functional food ingredient — used in plant-based meat alternatives, gluten-free baking, fibre-fortified supplements, and increasingly in cosmetic exfoliating formulations. Aichi, Niigata, and the broader tofu production heartland produce the largest volumes; specialty processors offer dried, defatted, and protein-isolate grades. Marketed as an upcycling success story aligning with sustainability and zero-waste retail trends.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; JAS-eligible processing routes; FFC notifications exist for fibre content |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; soy-allergen labelling required (EU 14 major allergens) |
| United States | GRAS; FDA Prior Notice; soy-allergen labelling per FALCPA |
| China | Imported soy-derived product; GACC registration; soy-allergen labelling |
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
Okara (Tofu Soybean Pulp) 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 3 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 3 categories
Shio Koji
塩麹
MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Easier China regulatory path
Okara (Tofu Soybean Pulp) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Simpler in China· shares 3 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).
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Shio Koji
塩麹
MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Marusan-Ai Co., Ltd.
マルサンアイ株式会社
Okazaki, AichiEst. 1952English supportExport experienceFSSC 22000Okara feedstock from soy-milk operations
Fuji Oil Holdings Inc.
不二製油グループ本社株式会社
Izumisano, OsakaEst. 1950English supportExport experienceFSSC 22000ISO 22000Okara protein isolate
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Last updated: 2026-05-05