Volatile flavor compounds of optimal Maillard reactions (MR) derived with the addition of precursors (AP), control (without AP) and raw as anchovy Engraulis japonicus sauce residue were identified and comparatively analyzed using solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME/GC/MS). MR was produced by adding 1% (w/w) glucose and mixed amino acids (threonine 0.543%, glutamic acid 0.194%, glycine 0.382%, w/w) to raw (100 g of anchovy sauce residue and 100 mL of distilled water), and heating at 110 ℃ for 2 h. Among 65 flavor components detected, 7 compounds were produced through Maillard reaction to change in content. A total of 7 volatile flavor compounds, including 2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, dimethyl disulfide, methylpyrazine, dimethyl trisulfide, methional, and 2-furanmethanol, tended to increase in the order of raw, control, and MR, but methylpyrazine was not detected in control. Amounts of 2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, dimethyl disulfide, methylpyrazine, dimethyl trisulfide, methional, and 2-furanmethanol having positive odors (dark chocolate-, garlic-, hazelnut-, cooked potato-like) were 11.04, 50.15, 3.25, 8.38, 4.60, 9.59, and 3.08 times higher, respectively, in MR than those in raw.