The following chart is a list of Japanese sushi names and the US Market name which should be associated with it according the Fish & Fishery Products Hazards & Controls Guidance manual which is put out by the FDA (fourth edition 2011). It is not intended to be a complete list of all species which are consumed raw, and I have updated it with some additional listings/info.
You will notice that some fish have multiple sushi names. I’m no sushi expert, but at least part of the reason for this is because different regions of Japan use different words for the same fish. Different sushi names may also refer to various grades of fish, or to different ages of fish. Yellowtail for instance has 4 different names depending upon age. And to complicate things even more, 3 of those 4 names are different depending on if the establishment is using the vernacular of Tokyo or Osaka.
| JAPANESE SUSHI NAMES | |
|---|---|
| Japanese Vernacular Name … | U.S. Market Name … |
| Ainame | Greenling |
| Aji | Mackerel, Jack |
| Aka-Gai | Clam, Arkshell |
| Akamanbo | Opah |
| Akauo | Monkfish |
| Akodai | |
| Akou-Dai | Rockfish, Red |
| Amadai | Tilefish |
| Amaebi | Prawn, Sweet |
| Anago, Hamo | Conger Eel |
| Ankou | Monkfish |
| Aoyagi | Clam, Surf |
| Asari | Clam, Short Necked |
| Awabi | Abalone |
| Ayu | Smelt |
| Baigai | Whelk |
| Bora | Mullet, Gray |
| Buri | Yellowtail, over 4 years old (3 ft) |
| Dojyou | Loach |
| Ebi | Shrimp, Freshwater |
| Shrimp, Pink | |
| Ebodai | Butterfish |
| Eso | Lizardfish |
| Ezobora | Whelk |
| Fuefukidai | Emperor |
| Fugu | Puffer |
| Globefish | |
| Funa | Carp |
| Garigani | Crayfish |
| Gin-Sake | Salmon, Coho |
| Hakkaku | Sculpin |
| Hamachi (Osaka region) | Yellowtail, 1 year old (1 ft) |
| Hamaguri | Clam |
| Hanasaki Kani | Crab, Hanasaki |
| Hata | Grouper |
| Haya | Dace |
| Haze | Goby |
| Higedara | Lingcod |
| Hiraaji | Jack |
| Hirame | Fluke, Flounder |
| Hiuchidai | Orange Roughy |
| Hoshi-Garei | Flounder |
| Hotaruika | Squid |
| Hotate-Gai | Scallop, Giant |
| Houbou | Sea Robin |
| Hoya | Sea Squirt |
| Ibodai | Butterfish |
| Iidako | Octopus |
| Ika | Squid |
| Ikanago | Sand Eel |
| Ikura | Salmon, Roe |
| Inada (Tokyo region) | Yellowtail, 1 year old (1 ft) |
| Isaki | Grunt -Or- Sweetlips |
| Iseebi | Lobster |
| Ishidai, Ishigakidai | Knifejaw |
| Ishimochi Guchi | Croaker |
| Itoyoridai | Threadfin Bream |
| Iwana | Char |
| Iwashi | Sardine |
| Jnada | Yellowtail |
| Kaj I Ka | Sculpin |
| Kamasu | Barracuda |
| Kamasusawara | Wahoo |
| Kani | Crab, Brown |
| Crab, Deep Sea | |
| Crab, Kegani | |
| Crab, King | |
| Crab, Snow | |
| Karei | Flounder |
| Kasago | Rockfish |
| Katsuo | Bonito |
| Small Tuna | |
| Kawahagi | Triggerfish |
| Kawahgi | Filefish |
| Kegani (Kani) | Crab, Kegani |
| Kijihata | Grouper |
| Kink | Thorneyhead |
| Kinme | Alfonsino |
| Kinmedai | Alfonsino |
| Kintokidai | Bigeye |
| Kisu | Japanese Whiting |
| Kobudai, Budai | Parrotfish |
| Kochi | Flatfish |
| Kohada | Gizzard Shad |
| Shad | |
| Koi | Carp |
| Koika | Cuttlefish |
| Konoshiro | Gizzard Shad |
| Koshodai | Grunt -Or- Sweetlips |
| Kurage | Jellyfish |
| Kurodai | Porgy |
| Kuruma-Ebi | Shrimp, Tiger Prawn |
| Kyabia | Caviar |
| Kyurino | Smelt |
| Ma-Dako Tako | Octopus |
| Ma-Ika | Cuttlefish |
| Madai | Sea Bream |
| Maguro | Tuna |
| Maiwashi | Sardine |
| Makogarei | Flounder |
| Managa Tsuo, Echiopia | Pomfret |
| Manboh | Sunfish, Ocean |
| Mandai | Opah |
| Mebaru | Rockfish |
| Medal | Bluenose |
| Mejiro (Osaka region) | Yellowtail, 3 years old (2 ft) |
| Mekajiki | Swordfish |
| Miru-Gai | Clam, Geoduck |
| Mizudako | Octopus |
| Mizuik | Squid |
| Mongoika | Cuttlefish |
| Mongorakawahagi | Triggerfish |
| Namako | Sea Cucumber |
| Nibe | Croaker |
| Niji-Masu | Trout, Rainbow |
| Nishin | Herring |
| O’hyou | Halibut |
| Odori | Shrimp, Tiger Prawn |
| Okamasu | Barracuda |
| Okamsu | |
| Onagadai | Snapper |
| Saba | Mackerel |
| Saira | Saury |
| Sakana | Fish |
| Sake | Salmon, Chum |
| Same | Shark |
| Samma | Saury |
| Sanma | Saury |
| Sawagani | River Crab |
| Sayori, Savori | Halfbeak |
| Sazae | Top Shell |
| Sazae | Turbot, Shell |
| Shinko | Shad |
| Shiira | Mahi-Mahi |
| Shimaaji | Jack |
| Shishamo | Capelin & Roe |
| Shita-Birame | Sole |
| Shizu | Butterfish |
| Suji-Ko | Salmon, Roe |
| Sukesodora | Pollock & Roe |
| Sumiika | Cuttlefish |
| Surumeika | Squid |
| Suzuki | Sea Bass |
| Swara | Mackerel, Spanish |
| Tachiuo | Cuttlefish |
| Tai | Sea Bream, Red Snapper |
| Tako | Octopus |
| Tara | Cod & Roe/Milt |
| Tarumi Feuda | Snapper |
| Tenegadako | Octopus |
| Tobiuo | Flying Fish |
| Torigai | Cockle |
| Toro | Tuna |
| Tsubasu (Osaka region) | Yellowtail, 6 months old (4″) |
| Tsubugai | Whelk |
| Umazurahagi | Triggerfish |
| Unagi | Eel |
| Uni | Sea Urchin Roe |
| Wakasagi | Smelt |
| Wakashi (Tokyo region) | Yellowtail, 6 months old (4″) |
| Warasa (Tokyo region) | Yellowtail, 3 years old (2 ft) |
| Yamame | Salmon, Cherry -Or- Masu |
| Yariika | Squid |
| Y Anagi-Garei | Flounder |
| Zuwai-Gani | Crab, Snow |
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This looks so so yumm! Thanks for sharing!