Frozen Katsuo Tataki (Seared Bonito, Kochi)

Katsuo no Tataki (鰹のたたき) — Tosa / Kochi · Kochi Prefecture (Tosa) — straw-seared skipjack tuna (bonito)
Meat & Seafood Other Fish Frozen Growing export

Katsuo tataki is Tosa/Kochi's signature dish: skipjack seared over straw flame then flash-frozen with the rare smoky aroma intact. It is exported as a ready-to-slice loin for Japanese restaurants and retail abroad. The straw-smoke flavor is a distinctive selling point unavailable from generic frozen bonito. Shipped frozen.

The supplierKochi processors specializing in straw-seared bonito; regional-specialty exporters.
Why it sells abroadAuthentic straw-seared smoke aroma; ready-to-slice loin

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsHACCP with histamine control (confirmed relevant: skipjack/bonito is a scombroid species requiring histamine controls; HACCP mandatory in Japan and US-FDA seafood HACCP requires histamine control for scombroids). EU-approved establishment for EU routes: required framework, not verified per processor. Kochi/Tosa is the recognized home of straw-seared katsuo tataki (confirmed).
Pack formatsVacuum-packed seared loins (300-500g); cartons.
Shelf lifeFrozen ~12 months.
StorageFrozen -18C or below.
Minimum orderTypical: by carton (5-10 kg)
Lead timeTypical: 2-4 weeks
CapacityTypical: mid-volume regional specialty
Container loadTypical: LCL/part-reefer
PricingTypical: $8-16/kg
OEM / private labelYes (portion/season to spec).
Wholesale & MOQSeared loin blocks, vacuum IQF -18C; MOQ by carton
Key exporters & distributorsKochi/Tosa seafood traders, Japanese seafood exporters
Export regulationHACCP; histamine control plan (scombroid) essential for bonito; EU approved-establishment for EU-bound. Lightly cooked/seared so falls under fishery products. HS 0304 (frozen fillet) / 1604 (prepared, if seasoned).
Market demandGrowing Japanese-restaurant/retail demand in US/Asia/AU
How to source itKochi (Tosa) seafood processors & coastal coops -> seafood exporter -> overseas importer.
Verified sourcesUS-FDA Fish & Fishery Products Hazards Guidance (histamine/scombrotoxin control for skipjack); https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies (HACCP mandatory)
MakerKochi (Tosa) seafood processors & coastal coops
OriginKochi Prefecture (Tosa) — straw-seared skipjack tuna (bonito)
CategoryMeat & Seafood / Other Fish
Available inUS, HK, SG +2 more
HandlingFrozen
Price tierPremium
ChannelFoodservice
Export readinessGrowing export
HS code0304 / 1604
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.