Ninben Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Ihei Takatsu) has supervised a new product for Calbee, Inc.'s (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Makoto Ehara) "Jagabee" brand, which features the taste of potatoes and a unique texture using Ninben's "hon-kare katsuobushi powder" (Note 1).
The product will be released as "Jagabee Authentic Dashi Umami Salt Flavor" by Calbee at convenience stores nationwide on February 9, 2026 (Monday), in limited quantities (Note 2). It offers a salt flavor with the umami of dashi spreading through, bringing out the aroma of bonito flakes and the sweetness of potatoes with a lingering taste.
Note 1: This product contains 0.06% of Ninben's hon-kare katsuobushi powder.
Note 2: Sales will end when supplies run out.
Development Background
"Jagabee" is a snack product that is particular about the taste of potatoes, using potatoes with skin as they are, and featuring a pleasant unique "crispy, crunchy, fluffy" texture. Since its launch in 2006, it has been a popular brand from Calbee, offering regular products such as "Light Salt Flavor," "Butter Soy Sauce Flavor," and salt-free "Plain." Among them, "Light Salt Flavor" has featured dashi elements such as bonito flakes extract powder and kelp extract powder as a hidden taste, enhancing the deliciousness of potatoes.
This time, Calbee approached Ninben with a desire to further pursue the deliciousness of dashi, leading to this collaboration with the bonito flakes specialty store. Leveraging Ninben's knowledge of bonito flakes production that has been carried on since the Edo period, "hon-kare katsuobushi powder" was adopted as the core ingredient for umami. The development of the flavor took about three months, aiming for a higher level of deliciousness. Through repeated prototyping, they expressed the refined aroma of hon-kare katsuobushi and the umami and lingering aftertaste that spreads when drinking dashi. By sticking to a simple salt flavor that brings out the aroma of bonito flakes to the fullest, and combining it with Jagabee's characteristic light texture, they created a taste that allows you to feel the quality of the ingredients while making you unable to stop eating. The 80g large capacity package with a resealable zipper is perfect for enjoying time with friends and family, or rewarding yourself at the end of the day.
Product Features
● "Jagabee Authentic Dashi Umami Salt Flavor" uses "hon-kare katsuobushi powder," which is made from Ninben's "hon-kare katsuobushi" that produces a strong-flavored, clear champagne-gold colored dashi without cloudiness. It offers a salt flavor with the umami of dashi spreading through, bringing out the aroma of bonito flakes and the sweetness of potatoes with a lingering taste.
● The package is designed with the image of Ninben's "indigo blue noren" (curtain) and champagne-gold colored dashi. Against a wave pattern background, illustrations of Potta, Jagabee's character, and a bonito are featured, creating a playful Japanese modern taste. It comes with a convenient resealable zipper.
Comment from Ninben Representative
"We started development by having people experience the aroma and taste of hon-kare katsuobushi dashi, and feeling anew its charm and excellent compatibility with potatoes. We were particular about the balance of aroma and taste to bring out the fragrant aroma characteristic of hon-kare katsuobushi and the original deliciousness of potatoes to the maximum. Please enjoy the aroma that spreads the moment you open the package and the new deliciousness of Jagabee enhanced by hon-kare katsuobushi."
Comment from Calbee Representative
"In pursuing the new deliciousness of Jagabee this time, we focused on the taste of dashi, which is very compatible with potatoes. By borrowing the knowledge of Ninben, who knows the charm of dashi inside and out, we were able to create a new deliciousness that has never existed before. It is a simple yet umami-rich taste that brings out the flavor of each ingredient and becomes captivating. We want many people to enjoy this special product."
Product Details
Product Name: Jagabee Authentic Dashi Umami Salt Flavor
Content: 80g
Price: Open price
Release Date: February 9, 2026 (Monday)
Sales Channels: Convenience stores nationwide (limited quantity)
About Hon-Kare Katsuobushi
At Ninben, bonito flakes that have undergone the process of mold application and sun-drying four or more times are called hon-kare katsuobushi.
Hon-kare katsuobushi, which is carefully finished over 4 to 6 months by repeating mold application and sun-drying from arabushi to hadakabushi, has a fragrant aroma with little fishy smell. Please enjoy the refined and mellow taste and aroma unique to hon-kare katsuobushi, which is often used in high-class restaurants.
About Calbee
The Calbee Group, based on the corporate philosophy of "carefully utilizing nature's blessings to create deliciousness and fun, contributing to people's healthy lives," manufactures and sells regular products such as "Kappa Ebisen," "Potato Chips," and "Frugra®," as well as regional souvenir products.
The company primarily develops the manufacturing and sales of potato-based, wheat-based, and corn/bean-based snack products and cereal foods globally.
About Ninben
Ninben was founded in 1699 (Genroku 12) and has been creating various products using bonito flakes, a traditional Japanese food, and "dashi," the foundation of Japanese cuisine made with bonito flakes, passing down Japanese food culture. In addition to product development and sales, the company is expanding opportunities to enjoy bonito flakes and dashi through various stores such as the dashi community and dashi specialty store "Nihonbashi Dashi-ba," the Japanese dining establishment "Nihonbashi Dashi-ba Hanare" where you can taste authentic bonito flakes and dashi, and the dashi-based delicatessen specialty store "Ichijuu Shunsai Nihonbashi Dashi-ba."
Ninben aims to be a "bonito flakes and dashi life design company" that proposes the infinite possibilities of "bonito flakes" and "dashi" in all food scenes as a bonito flakes specialty store with over 300 years of history.
