Exhibiting at Seafood Expo North America 2025

American Eel Depot Corp., headquartered in Totowa, New Jersey, United States, is a leading importer, distributor, and wholesaler of premium Asian seafood and specialty products, with a primary focus on high-quality unagi (roasted eel). Over the years, the company has become a vital link between Asian producers and North American buyers, supplying Japanese and Asian cuisine ingredients to restaurants, grocery chains, and foodservice distributors across the U.S. and beyond.

Core Business and Product Categories

The core business of American Eel Depot revolves around importing and distributing frozen, dry, and ready-to-eat food products tailored to Japanese and Asian cuisine markets. Key product categories include:

• Eel: Roasted Unagi (eel kabayaki), the company’s flagship product line, imported from certified farms and processors.
• Tuna: Sashimi-grade tuna cuts suitable for sushi and poke applications.
• Shrimp: A range of frozen shrimp products, including peeled, deveined, and tempura-ready formats.
• Sushi Seafood & Vegetables: A broad portfolio of sushi-grade fish and accompaniments like pickled vegetables and seaweed.
• Imitation Products: Including imitation crab sticks and seafood blends.
• Dim Sum & Appetizers: Ready-to-cook items such as sesame balls, shrimp shumai, and spring rolls.
• Soft Shell Crab: Flash-frozen and cleaned crabs for restaurant use.
• Frozen Specialty Foods: Including Japanese-style noodles, roasted pork chashu, udon, tamago, and ramen toppings.
• Dry Food Products: Complementary pantry items for restaurant use.

This extensive product range positions American Eel Depot as a one-stop solution for Asian restaurants and culinary providers in North America.

Brand Portfolio

American Eel Depot carries and distributes a range of well-known Asian food brands, including:

• UNAGI
• Uminoko
• Osaki
• Iyoya
• Kewpie
• KB 23
• Hata Soda

These brands represent a curated mix of authenticity, quality, and demand-driven sourcing, giving customers access to both staple and premium product options.

Market Reach and Customer Segments

The company’s primary customer base includes:

• Japanese and Asian restaurants
• Sushi bars and poke bowl chains
• Asian grocery chains and independent stores
• Foodservice distributors
• Hospitality and catering businesses

American Eel Depot serves customers across the United States, with additional exports reaching Canada and select Caribbean markets.

Shipment Volume and Operational Capacity

According to U.S. customs and import data:

• American Eel Depot has handled over 1,500 international shipments since 2018.
• The company imports product primarily from Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Korea.
• On average, it distributes more than 100 metric tons of frozen and dry food products monthly, including approximately 40–50 metric tons of roasted eel.

This consistent import-export activity reflects the company’s supply chain reliability and import expertise, particularly in seafood logistics and cold chain management.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

All products undergo rigorous quality control, and the company complies with:

• U.S. FDA import regulations
• USDA and FSIS guidelines for processed meats
• HACCP requirements for seafood handling and storage
• Full traceability and lot coding for foodservice safety

The company maintains relationships with certified processors in Asia, many of which are BRC or ISO certified, to ensure compliance with U.S. food safety expectations.

Strategic Capabilities

• Warehouse and Cold Storage: Equipped with cold storage facilities and distribution logistics optimized for quick delivery throughout the East Coast and Midwest.
• Private Label Solutions: Offers custom branding and packaging for foodservice distributors and chain operators.
• Multilingual Sales Team: Serves customers in English, Mandarin, and Japanese, ensuring effective communication and market adaptation.

Leadership and Industry Engagement

Led by Emily Liu, American Eel Depot Corp. has been a regular participant in key industry trade shows including:

• Seafood Expo North America (Boston)
• Winter and Summer Fancy Food Shows
• Japanese Food Expo

Through strategic sourcing, quality control, and efficient distribution, the company has built strong relationships with sushi chefs, restaurant groups, and import-export partners.

Growth Outlook

American Eel Depot continues to expand its presence in the specialty food distribution space by:

• Introducing new SKUs tailored for evolving Asian fusion and healthy eating trends.
• Strengthening direct relationships with Asian seafood farms and food manufacturers.
• Exploring e-commerce and direct-to-restaurant logistics solutions.

With its specialization in roasted eel and other sushi-grade seafood products, American Eel Depot Corp. is a dominant force in supplying Asian cuisine essentials to the growing North American market.