From 50,000 Won Cans to Korean Spicy Tuna... The Evolution of "Canned Tuna" [Sunday Culture]

Canned Tuna by Fish Species
Popular as an Inflation-Proof and Emergency Food
Premium Tuna Packed in Royal Olive Oil

Do you like tuna? Especially for those living alone, canned tuna is considered an essential item and a key source of protein. Recently, a video of an American rapper enjoying Korean spicy tuna has gone viral, sparking renewed popularity for spicy tuna in Korea.

Japan, our neighboring country, also consumes a large amount of tuna. In particular, tuna is gaining attention as an emergency food in preparation for disasters and emergencies. There are various types of canned tuna, and new flavors such as "tomato tuna" and "pollack roe tuna" are constantly being introduced. There are even premium canned tuna products priced at over 50,000 won per can. Recently, Korean spicy tuna has also become popular in Japan. This week, we bring you stories about canned tuna in Japan.

This week, Japanese broadcaster TBS reported on the evolving canned tuna market in Japan. At the Meguro main store of the major supermarket chain Tokyu Store in Tokyo, customers can find 28 different kinds of canned tuna, starting from their own private label products. There are also 16 varieties of tuna packed in pouches. Most grocery stores offer private label canned tuna, and you can also find affordable canned tuna at places like Costco and Don Quijote.

Hakurodo Food's canned tuna "Sea Chicken" series. Hakurodo Food.

Canned tuna first appeared in Japan in the late 1920s. Originally, the West developed a primitive form of canned food by placing food in vacuum-sealed jars and heating them to improve preservation. As this method spread, canned tuna was first introduced in the United States in 1903. In Japan, efforts were made across the country to manufacture it domestically, and in 1929, the Fisheries Experiment Station and the Fisheries School in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, succeeded in producing it. The sea off Yaizu City is also the area in Japan where the most tuna and skipjack are caught.

Just as there are well-known canned tuna brands in Korea, Japan has its own iconic brands. One representative example is Hakurodo Food's "Sea Chicken," which has been in production since 1931. Originally, canned tuna was made for export to the United States, but domestic sales in Japan began in 1958. At the time, canned tuna was unfamiliar to Japanese consumers, so the company pondered how to make it more approachable and settled on the name "Sea Chicken." The name was inspired by the fact that the texture of canned tuna is similar to that of boiled chicken.

One difference between canned tuna in Japan and Korea is that in Japan, it is sold by fish species. In Korea, most canned tuna is made from skipjack. In the case of Sea Chicken, there are different varieties made from albacore and yellowfin tuna. Interestingly, there is also canned tuna made from yellowtail. Due to the difficulty of maintaining a stable supply of tuna, since 2023, canned tuna made from yellowtail has also been sold. In Japanese, yellowtail is called "buri," and inspired by this, the product is marketed as "Sea Chicken Every."

Stocking up on canned tuna at home is a universal practice. In this era of high inflation, canned tuna is loved in Japan because it is not significantly affected by rising prices and has a long shelf life. Many people buy it as emergency food in preparation for earthquakes and other disasters.

The current trend is tuna with added seasonings. As Korean spicy tuna has become a hot topic on social media, it can now be found in large supermarkets in Japan, such as Costco. People enjoy it on tofu, add cheese to it, or use it in pasta and fried rice.

Don Quijote has also recently launched these seasoned tuna products. In April, they released pollack roe tuna and spicy tuna with tomato and chili peppers. The concept is "Open the lid and a side dish is ready!" which has contributed to its popularity, as it offers an affordable meal solution.

Perhaps because it is considered an easy side dish, there is now a trend toward premium canned tuna. Canned tuna priced at 5,400 yen (about 50,000 won) per can has become popular as a gift. The "Black Label" launched by Japan's Ocean Princess is made from a part of the tuna that yields only one can per fish, and instead of finely chopped tuna, it contains sashimi-like slices. All processes, such as draining the blood and removing the bones, are done by hand, and the tuna is packed in olive oil used by the Spanish royal family. It has become a popular gift item.

Premium canned tuna Black Label launched by Japan's Ocean Princess. Ocean Princess.

As each can of tuna has its own story, it will be interesting to see what new and unique flavors emerge in the future. For the rest of this precious weekend, I hope you enjoy yourself to the fullest-beyond just tuna.