Herrings is kosher according to Jewish dietary law.

Does Herrings have fins and scales?

Yes. Herrings has both fins and removable scales, which is the requirement set in Leviticus 11:9-12 and Deuteronomy 14:9-10 for a fish to be considered kosher.

Can I eat Herrings sushi or sashimi?

If Herrings is prepared in a kosher kitchen with kosher utensils and ingredients, Herrings sushi or sashimi can be kosher. Always verify the kosher certification of the restaurant or preparation source.

Where can I find more information about whether Herrings is kosher?

KosherFish.co references the Orthodox Union (OU) and Chabad lists of kosher and non-kosher fish. For specific halachic questions, consult your local Orthodox rabbi.

Herrings

Kosher

Has fins and scales

Fins Yes

Scales Yes

Description

Herrings (family Clupeidae) are mostly marine forage fish, though a few species live in fresh water. They school in huge numbers and sit low in the ocean food web. Atlantic, Baltic, and Pacific species are the big commercial ones.

Also known as

Alewife
Altantic
Atlantic
Blueback
European Sardine
Gizzard Shad
Gizzard shads
Glut Herring
Herring
Hickory Shad
Menhaden
Menhadens
Mossbunker
Pacific Herring
Pacific Sardine
Pilchard
River Herring
Sardine
Shad
Shads
Spanish Sardine
Spanish sardines
Spart
Thread Herring
mossbunkers

Kosher Herrings in foreign languages

French	Herringswell
Turkish	Herringswell

Warnings & Kosher Issues

Kosher. Herrings have fins and scales, which is why they're a classic kosher fish.
Low mercury. Because they're small and feed low in the food web, herrings build up very little methylmercury.
Most herrings have cycloid scales, but a few species are nearly scaleless and none have scales on the head.