[Top 5] Seafoods / What kind of seafood do Japanese people eat ?

This page consists of ….

  • Top 5 popular Seafoods in Japan
  • Yearly consumption of each seafood
  • Popular cuisines of each seafood
  • A piece of advise by webmaster

This page is to help the people :

  • Who like seafoods
  • Who are interested in Japanese life
  • Who want to get knowledge about Japanese cuisines

Visitor

I know that Japanese eat seafood a lot !

SHINTA+

Yes, it is.

Visitor

But I don’t know what kind of seafood Japanese eat…

SHIINTA+

No problem, I would like to introduce 5 popular seafoods in Japan with cuisine well known !

With reading of this page, you will get above listed knowledges as well as Japanese have. I will be very glad if you could read this article to the end.

Thank you !

Writer
SHINTA+

SHINTA+ / Japanese blog writer, born and raised in Japan, visited more than 20 countries, introducing Japanese culture to the world, with both domestic & international experiences.

Seafood for Japanese

The volume of seafood which Japanese eat is decreasing year by year. According to Japanese government office, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in 2001, it was more than 40 kg per person per year. However, in 2019, it became 24.4 kg per person per year.

In the past, Japanese ate seafood more than meat. However in 2010’s, position was reversed. Although currently consumption is less than the meat, Japanese eat various seafood.

Salmon / 2,579g per person per year

Salmon is the most popular fish in Japan. The amount of consumption is 2,579 g per person per year, in average of 2016-18. Self-sufficiency ratio is around 50 %. Remaining half is imported from Chile, Norway, Russia, etc.

Compare with 1980’s, consumption of salmon is increasing 10 times. There are various Japanese cuisine with salmon.

  • Sushi
  • Sashimi
  • ’Shio-Jake’ = salted salmon
  • ’Syake-Musubi’ = Rice ball with salmon
  • ’Ishikari nabe’ = Miso hot pot with salmon
SHINTA+

Salmon SUSHI is very popular from children to elder !

Tuna / 2,104g per person per year

Tuna is the 2nd popular fish in Japan. The amount of consumption is 2,104 g per person per year, in average of 2016-18. Self-sufficiency ratio is around 45 %. Remaining is imported from Taiwan, China, Indonesia, etc.

As Tuna is limited resources, Japanese try to aquaculture of tuna, to keep food culture. There are various Japanese cuisine of tuna.

  • Sushi
  • Sashimi
  • ‘Zuke Maguro’ = pickled tuna
  • ’Tekka don’ = bowl of rice with tuna
SHINTA+

Tuna is sold with very high price, in first auction every year !

Yellowtail / 1,775g per person per year

Yellowtail is the 3rd popular fish in Japan. The amount of consumption is 1,775 g per person per year, in average of 2016-18. Self-sufficiency ratio is almost 100 %. Some of yellowtail is exported to U.S.A, Canada, etc.

Japanese already succeeded aquaculture of yellowtail. So supply is basically stable. There are various cuisine of yellowtail in Japan.

  • Sushi
  • Sashimi
  • ’Buri Teriyaki’ = grilled yellowtail with soy sauce
  • ’Buri Daikon’ = Yellowtail and Daikon radish boiled with soy sauce
SHINTA+

Yellowtail is popular in cooking at home !

Shrimp / 1,359g per person per year

Shrimp is the 4th popular seafood in Japan. The amount of consumption is 1,359 g per person per year, in average of 2016-18. Self-sufficiency ratio is only 5 %. Shrimp is imported from India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, etc.

In the past, Japan was the country with largest consumption of shrimp. Japanese really like this seafood. There are various cuisine with shrimp in Japan.

  • Sushi
  • Sashimi
  • ‘Ebi Fri’ = Fried shrimp
  • ‘Ebi Tempura’
  • ‘Ebi Chili’ = Shrimp with chili sauce
SHINTA+

Shrimp snack is really nice !

Squid / 1,319g per person per year

Squid is the 5th popular seafood in Japan. The amount of consumption is 1,319 g per person per year, in average of 2016-18. Self-sufficiency ratio is around 70 %. Remaining are imported from Thailand, China, Vietnam, Peru, etc.

In the past, squid was the seafood with largest consumption in Japan. So there are various cuisine of squid in Japan.

  • Sushi
  • Sashimi
  • ’Ika Tempura’
  • ‘Ika Meshi’ = Rice in squid
  • ‘Surume’ = Dried squid
SHINTA+

Fresh Squids are really nice !

Summary

In the end, I would like to summarize the points of this article.

TOP 5 Seafoods in Japan

  • Salmon / 2,579g per person per year of consumption
  • Tuna / 2,104g per person per year
  • Yellowtail / 1,775g per person per year
  • Shrimp / 1,359g per person per year
  • Squid / 1,319g per person per year

SHINTA+

Now you got a knowledge of seafoods in Japan !

Postscript

How was the content today ?

Fish is very popular food in Japan. Especially, Sushi is special for Japanese. I also really like fish, especially yellowtail. My sons really like salmon. If you have a opportunity to come to Japan, please try to have fish cuisine in Japan.

In the end, thank you very much for your reading and see you again.

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