Niboshi / Iriko (Dried Sardine for Dashi)

Niboshi (煮干し) / Iriko · Japan (Seto Inland Sea, Kyushu)
Meat & Seafood Dried Seafood Frozen Established export

Small boiled-then-dried sardines/anchovies that make a robust, savory dashi — a standard for miso soup and a favorite of ramen shops abroad. Long shelf life and low logistics cost make it an easy export to ramen-focused foodservice and Japanese-grocery e-commerce worldwide.

The supplierJapanese dried-fish makers in Setouchi (Seto Inland Sea) and Kyushu; boiled-and-dried sardine/anchovy for dashi. Coastal processors with seasonal high-volume drying.
Why it sells abroadSetouchi/Kyushu dashi-grade niboshi with clean, robust umami — essential washoku stock ingredient with regional provenance.

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsHACCP / ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000 at larger makers and histamine controls for dried small pelagics: typical but not publicly verified for the specific (unnamed) Setouchi/Kyushu makers in this listing.
Pack formatsSize-graded dried fish in N2-flushed bags; consumer bags (100-500g) + food-service bulk, in cartons.
Shelf lifeAmbient/dried: ~6-12 months (N2-flushed); refrigerate to limit oxidation (typical).
StorageCool, dry ambient (N2-flushed); refrigerate to extend.
Minimum orderTypical: by carton; dry container.
Lead timeTypical: 2-4 weeks incl. documentation.
CapacityTypical: good seasonal output (Setouchi/Kyushu).
Container loadTypical: dry container 20ft/40ft (low density, ambient).
PricingEstimate: Typical $8-20/kg FOB by size/grade.
OEM / private labelPrivate-label/processing available (size grade, pack size).
Wholesale & MOQAmbient, bagged; airfreight or LCL/container; ramen foodservice and dashi retail; low MOQ feasible.
Key exporters & distributorsSetouchi/Kyushu dried-fish makers, dashi specialists
Export regulationAmbient dried fish — standard food-hygiene + health certificate; histamine awareness for the species; low animal-health risk. Provenance/radiation documentation supports post-Fukushima trust.
Market demandJapanese-cuisine HORECA + retail in US, UK, EU, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan (dashi, ramen broth).
How to source itSetouchi/Kyushu dried-fish makers via exporters; JETRO; FOODEX JAPAN.
Verified sourceshttps://www.jetro.go.jp/en/trends/foods/ingredients/
MakerJapanese dried-fish makers (Setouchi/Kyushu)
OriginJapan (Seto Inland Sea, Kyushu)
CategoryMeat & Seafood / Dried Seafood
Available inUS, GB, EU +3 more
HandlingFrozen
Price tierMid
ChannelSpecialty
Export readinessEstablished export
HS code0305
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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.