If you want to keep sasami (chicken tenderloin) karaage (Japanese fried chicken) stocked in the freezer, three questions tend to come up: how much food 1.5 kg really is, what ume-shiso (Japanese plum and perilla) tastes like, and what makes it “wakeari” (imperfect/irregular, sold at a discount). This article organizes what is published on the Rakuten Ichiba product page and in public reviews for Chicken Net’s Wakeari Domestic Sasami Ume-Shiso Karaage (500g×3 bags), into five points: contents, storage method, ingredient labeling, gift suitability, and reviews.
What We Confirmed
- Contents and a rough number of servings
- Storage method and shelf life
- Ingredient and allergen labeling
- Whether it is suitable as a gift
- Trends in published reviews
Basic Information
This table transcribes what is stated on the product page. However, the “not confirmed” labels and any notes we add are our own.
| Product name | Wakeari Domestic Sasami Ume-Shiso Karaage, 500g×3 Bags Set (1.5 kg total)Source: Rakuten Ichiba product page (viewed October 12, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Name | Domestic sasami ume-shiso karaage (wakeari)Source: product description on the Rakuten Ichiba product page |
| Amount | 500g×3 bags set (1.5 kg total). Described as bite-sized. The number of pieces per bag and the grams per piece are not confirmedSource: Rakuten Ichiba product page (product description and text within the product images) |
| Reason for “wakeari” | A tag in the product photo reads “形崩れや大きさ不揃い” (irregular shapes and uneven sizes)Source: product photo on the Rakuten Ichiba product page |
| Storage Method | Keep frozen. Store at −18°C or belowSource: product description on the Rakuten Ichiba product page |
| Best-Before Date | 2027.03 (as stated in the product description as of October 12, 2026). Shelf life after opening or thawing is not confirmedSource: product description on the Rakuten Ichiba product page |
| Country of Origin | Chicken (domestic). The product description does not state the origin of other ingredients such as the processed plum pulp and shisoSource: product description on the Rakuten Ichiba product page |
| Place of Processing | not confirmed |
| Condition / How to Eat | Instructions say to take the pieces out of the bag while still frozen, arrange them on a plate so they do not stick together, and heat them without plastic wrap before eating. Heating time and wattage are not confirmedSource: product description on the Rakuten Ichiba product page |
| Delivery | FrozenSource: Rakuten Ichiba product page |
| Manufacturer | Not confirmed (see the “Shop” row for the seller) |
| Shop | Chicken Net (Rakuten Ichiba). The seller is listed as プライフーズ株式会社 Chicken Net (Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture)Source: product description on the Rakuten Ichiba product page |
Prices are not listed here because they change. Please check the current price and stock availability at the link above.
Ingredients and Allergen Labeling
The product description lists the ingredients as follows (Rakuten Ichiba product page, viewed October 12, 2026).
Chicken (domestic), processed plum pulp (plum pulp, fructose-glucose syrup, salt), breadcrumbs, soy sauce, salt, shiso (perilla), sugar, powdered vegetable protein, starch, vegetable oil and fat, dextrin, kombu extract seasoning, bonito flake extract, plum pulp powder, egg white powder, red shiso powder, yeast extract powder, soybean flour, batter (starch, wheat flour, vegetable oil and fat, corn flour, soy sauce, glucose, salt, egg white powder, egg yolk powder), frying oil (palm oil) / modified starch, acidulant, seasonings (amino acids, etc.), thickeners (modified starch, thickening polysaccharides), leavening agent, colorings (caramel, gardenia, vegetable pigment), xylose, flavoring, spice extract
The allergen labeling reads “（一部に小麦・卵・大豆・鶏肉を含む）” (contains wheat, egg, soybeans, and chicken as part of the ingredients). We found no discrepancies in how the allergens are listed within the product page.
As for whether this is formed meat (seikeiniku), the shop’s product page does not carry a “formed meat” label. The ingredient list shows chicken (domestic) along with powdered vegetable protein, starch, thickeners, and others. Nutrition information is not on the product page and is not confirmed.
If you have a food allergy, be sure to check the food information label on the product when it arrives.
Reference: Consumer Affairs Agency, Japan, “About Allergen Labeling” (accessed October 12, 2026)
Five Things to Check Before Buying
| What to check | For this product | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Contents and how many people it serves | 500g×3 bags (1.5 kg total). Bite-sized. A guide to the number of people and the piece count are not confirmed | Rakuten Ichiba product page. No serving count is given |
| 2. Storage method and shelf life | Frozen (−18°C or below). The best-before date is stated as 2027.03. Shelf life after opening or thawing is not confirmed | Product description on the Rakuten Ichiba product page (viewed October 12, 2026) |
| 3. Ingredient and allergen labeling | The full ingredient list is in the product description. Labeled as containing wheat, egg, soybeans, and chicken | Product description on the Rakuten Ichiba product page |
| 4. Whether it is suitable as a gift | Support for noshi, gift wrapping, and message cards could not be confirmed | No mention of support found on the Rakuten Ichiba product page |
| 5. Trends in reviews | Rakuten Ichiba shows a rating of 4.71 / 5 (356 reviews). Many reviews praise how easy it is to heat in a microwave and the ume-shiso flavor, while some mention how strong the seasoning is or the size. We read the first 60 reviews in Rakuten’s default order plus some of the 1★ to 3★ reviews, 81 in total (posted March 2023 to September 2026; latest September 30, 2026). These trends may not reflect the product’s current condition | Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 12, 2026) |
Suitable as a Gift?
On the Rakuten Ichiba product page, we could not confirm support for noshi, gift wrapping, or message cards. The “季節のご挨拶” (seasonal greetings) field of the product description lists occasion names, but no guidance aimed at gift-giving could be found. Please take this into account when deciding whether to use it as a gift.
- Noshi, gift wrapping, and message cards: no mention of support could be found
- Delivery is frozen. You will need to check for yourself whether the recipient can receive it at the delivery date and time
The usage field of the product page lists uses such as a side dish, bento, evening drinks, and snacks (Rakuten Ichiba product page, viewed October 12, 2026).
What Public Reviews Say
We organized the Rakuten Ichiba product reviews by point of view. The rating figures reflect the time we viewed the page and will change afterward.
| Site | Rating | Count | Viewed on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten customer reviews (product page) | 4.71 / 5 | 356 | October 12, 2026 |
Rating breakdown: 5★ 279 / 4★ 56 / 3★ 18 / 2★ 1 / 1★ 2 (as shown on Rakuten Ichiba, viewed October 12, 2026)
What we read: the first 60 reviews in Rakuten’s default order (posted December 2025 to September 2026; latest September 30, 2026), plus the 2 reviews rated 1★ (June to September 2024), the 1 review rated 2★ (February 2026), and the 18 reviews rated 3★ (March 2023 to September 2026), 81 in total. These are trends within what we read and may not reflect the product’s current condition.
What Reviewers Praise
Easy to heat in a microwave
18 of the 60 reviews in the default order mention that it can be eaten just by heating it in a microwave. Some reviews also describe finishing the surface in a toaster after heating it in the microwave.
Bite-sized pieces that suit bento and snacks
17 of the 60 reviews in the default order, and 8 of the 18 reviews rated 3★, say the size is easy to use as a bento side dish or a snack.
Light ume-shiso flavor
18 of the 60 reviews in the default order describe the ume and shiso flavor as light. 7 of the 18 reviews rated 3★ mix both praise and dissatisfaction about the ume-shiso flavor.
Generous amount
13 of the 60 reviews in the default order, and 5 of the 18 reviews rated 3★, say that 500g×3 bags is a large amount and that it is handy to have in the freezer. 17 of the 60 reviews in the default order also say the reviewer has bought it repeatedly.
Source: Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 12, 2026)
What Reviewers Note
Salty or strong flavor
Reviews saying the saltiness felt strong number 2 of the 60 reviews in the default order, 1 of the 2 reviews rated 1★, the 1 review rated 2★, and 2 of the 18 reviews rated 3★, 6 in total.
How to check: The ingredients are transcribed in this article’s “Ingredients and Allergen Labeling” section. Nutrition information including salt content is not on the product page and is not confirmed.
Weak ume or ume-shiso flavor
Reviews saying the ume flavor was lacking or that there was little ume number 4 of the 60 reviews in the default order and 1 of the 18 reviews rated 3★.
How to check: The ume-related ingredients are transcribed in this article’s “Ingredients and Allergen Labeling” section.
Small pieces; may feel lacking for those who want a karaage-like bite
Reviews saying the pieces were small and like nuggets number 3 of the 60 reviews in the default order and 4 of the 18 reviews rated 3★. Opinions are split between those who want a karaage-like bite and those who prefer the bite-sized pieces.
How to check: The product page’s description of bite-sized pieces is in the Amount row of this article’s “Basic Information” section. The piece count and grams are not confirmed.
Source: Rakuten customer reviews (viewed October 12, 2026)
Who It Suits / Who Should Be Careful
Who It Suits
- Looking for a frozen side dish you can heat in a microwave and eat
- Looking for bite-sized pieces for bento or snacks
- Want to try ume-shiso flavored sasami karaage
- Have room in the freezer for 1.5 kg (500g×3 bags)
Who Should Be Careful
- Have an allergy to wheat, egg, soybeans, or chicken
- Have clear preferences about how strong the seasoning or the ume flavor should be
- Want karaage of uniform size (the reason given for wakeari includes uneven sizes)
- Want to use it as a gift on the assumption of noshi or gift wrapping
Prices, stock, shipping fees, and delivery dates are subject to change. This article’s information-as-of date is October 12, 2026. Please be sure to check the listing at the link before purchasing.
This article contains affiliate links (advertising). Editorial Policy
Summary
- Frozen, 500g×3 bags (1.5 kg total). Described as bite-sized; the piece count and grams per piece are not confirmed
- The best-before date is stated as 2027.03 (as of October 12, 2026). Store at −18°C or below; shelf life after opening or thawing is not confirmed
- The full ingredient list is in the product description, with labeling that it contains wheat, egg, soybeans, and chicken. The shop’s page carries no “formed meat” label
Related Pages
This article organizes information published on sales sites and review sites. Product details such as amount, storage method, and ingredients may change. Please check the seller’s listing for the latest information.
Comments on taste or quality are summarized from third-party posts cited with their source, and are not Ochinity’s own evaluation. Our approach to writing articles is described in our Editorial Policy.
Information as of: October 12, 2026 / Sources: Rakuten Ichiba “Chicken Net” product page, Rakuten customer reviews, Consumer Affairs Agency, “About Allergen Labeling”
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