Japanese Fried Horse Mackerel Hits US Stadium and Local Stores

Japanese fried horse mackerel, known as aji fry, is now available at major convenience stores in Japan and at Petco Park in San Diego ^[1].

This expansion marks a strategic push to bring traditional Japanese seafood snacks to global audiences, leveraging the high demand for authentic Japanese cuisine in the U.S. and the convenience of retail outlets in Japan.

Sanyo, a seafood company based in Fukuoka Prefecture, provides the product for both markets ^[1]. In Japan, the aji fry is sold as a ready-to-eat item located next to the cash registers of major convenience stores. This rollout began in March 2026 ^[2].

Across the Pacific, the product has been adapted for the American sports market. At Petco Park, the home of the MLB San Diego Padres, the fish is served as a "JAPANESE FISH FRY SLIDER" ^[1]. The slider is priced at $15.99, which is approximately 2,600 yen ^[1].

TBS NEWS DIG caster Mai Izumi said, "Aji fry is very popular in Japan, but it is actually attracting intense attention overseas right now" ^[1].

Sanyo developed these products to meet the specific needs of the San Diego stadium, which sought to expand its Japanese food offerings ^[1]. The company's ability to supply both a mass-market convenience store format and a premium stadium experience demonstrates a versatile export strategy for regional Japanese seafood.