Meet the “Squid” You’ll Swear Isn’t Vegan – Thanks, Nata de Coco
Meet Coco-Up Kaisen（ココアップ海鮮）, Nagoya’s plant-based squid that’s so convincing you might do a double take. Created by Karuna, Inc. (株式会社かるなぁ), this clever concoction uses coconut-derived nata de coco to nail the firm, springy texture and subtle flavor of real squid—without touching a single animal.
Slice it for sashimi, line it up on nigiri, or toss it into a salad. Even seasoned seafood lovers might hesitate before realizing it’s entirely plant-based. Low-cal, packed with a touch of fiber (0.91g per 100g serving), and guilt-free—this is seafood you can feel morally superior about eating.
Serving Suggestions Using Coco-Up Kaisen (ココアップ海鮮)
The secret? Proprietary cutting and prep techniques that recreate squid’s translucent, chewy magic. It’s realistic enough to fool the eye, versatile enough to play in Japanese, Western, or Chinese dishes, and chillable or room-temp ready depending on how ambitious your kitchen adventures are.
Coco-Up Kaisen comes in 500g packs (about 40 slices) for home cooks or pros, making it perfect for your next sushi night—or for wowing friends with a vegan seafood curveball. It’s the kind of plant-based seafood that makes you question why anyone ever needed the real thing… and then lets you eat it anyway.
Note: As a plant-based packaged food, Coco-Up Kaisen can generally be taken out of Japan, but travelers should check the import regulations of their destination country and declare the product at customs if required.
Coco-Up Kaisen (ココアップ海鮮)
・Suggested Retail Price: ¥1,900 (tax included)
・Ingredients: Nata de coco (made in Vietnam), salt, sugar, fermented seasoning / flavoring
Karuna (かるなぁ) Online Store
・https://www.karuna.co.jp
