Comparison of Sea Chicken

Did you know that Sea Chicken, the standard canned tuna, is now available in pouch packs? The name is "Sea Chicken Smile.


Compared to canned tuna, which has a shelf life of 37 months, the Sea Chicken Smile has a shelf life of 25 months, which is a little shorter, but still long enough to last. Compared to canned products, this product is less dangerous to handle and the container is easier to dispose of.

We were curious about the taste, so we compared the most standard canned type "Sea Chicken L Flake," the pouch pack "Sea Chicken Smile L Flake," and the pouch pack "Sea Chicken Smile Mizuni Nimin L Flake.

Sea Chicken Smile L Flake

Sea Chicken with 25% less calories made from yellowfin tuna. 60g (2.12oz) package, purchase price was 98 yen (tax not included). 126kcal per bag.



Compared to Sea Chicken L Flake in a can, it has a rich but lighter taste of oil. The richness of the oil enhances the umami of the tuna. This is what you would get if the oil was drained off very thoroughly. It is perfect for use in salads and other dishes.

Sea Chicken Smile Mizuni L Flake

Sea Chicken Smile L Flake is made from yellowfin tuna and is boiled in water. 60g (2.12oz) package, priced at 98 yen (tax not included). 46kcal per package.


Because it is boiled in water, it is lighter than Sea Chicken L Flake in the can, as well as Sea Chicken Smile L Flake! You can feel the umami of tuna packed in. I wonder if it tastes similar to the canned version, which is also boiled in water. It is useful for salads and salad dressings that you want to refresh, or when you are on a diet and are worried about the oil content!


This is a great product for those who find it a hassle to clean out the cans and wash them, even though canned tuna is convenient to keep in stock. Sea Chicken Smile also comes in a lineup of 10 other varieties, including one with corn and another with a Japanese flavor (as of August 2021). If you see one in a store, pick it up!