Food · Fermented foods
Asari (Japanese Littleneck Clam)
あさり (Asari)
Also known as: Asari, Japanese littleneck clam, Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, 浅蜊, アサリ
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | あさり 生 |
| Common Japanese notations | あさり, 浅蜊, アサリ |
| Origin | Japanese littleneck clam (Ruditapes philippinarum); historic principal regions Aichi (Mikawa Bay), Chiba (Tokyo Bay), Kyushu (Ariake Sea); domestic production has dramatically declined; **major imports from China, Korea — 'origin laundering' (産地偽装) was a major scandal in 2022 with Kumamoto** — Japan since 2022 enforces strict origin-labeling rules requiring transparent declaration |
| Typical functions | Miso-soup defining shellfish (asari no miso-shiru), Bongole-style pasta (Italian-Japanese fusion staple), Sake-mushi (sake-steamed) preparation, Tsukudani (soy-simmered preserve) |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required and strictly-enforced after 2022 Kumamoto-Chinese mislabeling scandal.** Shellfish is a JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen (mandatory for shrimp/crab; recommended for abalone, squid, salmon-roe; clams are not specifically listed but cross-reactivity warrants disclosure). High vitamin B12, iron, taurine — anemia-care nutrient profile. |
Asari (あさり / 浅蜊) is the Japanese littleneck (Ruditapes philippinarum). Defining miso-soup shellfish, bongole pasta. **Origin disclosure is strictly enforced after 2022 Kumamoto-Chinese mislabeling scandal.** Iron 2.2 mg/100g, vitamin B12 44.8 μg — premium anemia-care profile.
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Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Fresh shucked asari retail
- Frozen shucked asari B2B (foodservice major)
- Tsukudani retail
Ingredient profile
Ruditapes philippinarum Japanese littleneck (Manila clam).
OEM applications
Miso-soup defining shellfish.
Bongole-style pasta.
Sake-mushi sake-steamed preparation.
Tsukudani soy-simmered preserve.
For OEM: fresh shucked retail, frozen shucked B2B foodservice, tsukudani.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling.
**Origin disclosure required and strictly enforced post-2022 mislabeling scandal.**
Shellfish recommended-disclosure allergen consideration.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | **Mollusks are EU-mandatory allergen (Annex II).** Clean-water harvesting required. |
|---|---|
| USA | Mollusk allergen disclosure (FALCPA). FDA shellfish-sanitation standard. |
| China | Native and ubiquitous. Major aquaculture origin for Japan supply. |
| Korea | Established as 바지락 (bajirak); major Korean aquaculture. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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Seasonality & supply calendar
- Harvest months
- March – June; September – November
- Peak supply
- April – May
- Off-season
- Shellfish toxin closures occur late spring – summer regionally
Source: 水産庁 statistics. Domestic landings have collapsed >95% since 1980s; majority of supply is imported (China / Korea).
Storage requirements
How the receiving OEM facility needs to handle inbound raw material.
- Temperature
- Live 5–10°C; chilled 0°C for prepared
- Conditions
- Sand-purged in saltwater; live shipped in mesh bags
- Shelf life
- Live 3–5 days; chilled 1 week
Supply concentration
Where this ingredient comes from — useful for single-source-risk planning.
- Primary regions
- Aichi, Mie, Fukuoka (Ariake), Hokkaido — domestic landings collapsed >95% since 1980s
- Import dependence
- Majority imported (China, Korea); 2022 Kumamoto incident exposed widespread origin fraud
水産庁 / 消費者庁
Certifications commonly available
Certification schemes commonly obtainable for this raw material. Always confirm the specific supplier's current certificate before contracting.
| Scheme | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
| Halal | On-request | |
| Kosher | Unavailable |
Documented adulteration risks
Known fraud / adulteration patterns reported by regulators or industry bodies. Specify CoA params and screening tests on every PO.
- Imported (China / Korea) asari labeled as Japanese 国産; widespread mislabeling led to 2022 Kumamoto incident
Detection: DNA / isotope analysis; transit / origin chain documents
消費者庁 / 熊本県 (2022 表示違反事例)
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Asari (Japanese Littleneck Clam)?
- Asari (あさり / 浅蜊) is the Japanese littleneck (Ruditapes philippinarum). Defining miso-soup shellfish, bongole pasta. **Origin disclosure is strictly enforced after 2022 Kumamoto-Chinese mislabeling scandal.** Iron 2.2 mg/100g, vitamin B12 44.8 μg — premium anemia-care profile.
- What is the regulatory status of Asari (Japanese Littleneck Clam) in Japan?
- Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required and strictly-enforced after 2022 Kumamoto-Chinese mislabeling scandal.** Shellfish is a JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen (mandatory for shrimp/crab; recommended for abalone, squid, salmon-roe; clams are not specifically listed but cross-reactivity warrants disclosure). High vitamin B12, iron, taurine — anemia-care nutrient profile.
- What products typically use Asari (Japanese Littleneck Clam)?
- Fresh shucked asari retail / Frozen shucked asari B2B (foodservice major) / Tsukudani retail
- Where does Asari (Japanese Littleneck Clam) come from?
- Japanese littleneck clam (Ruditapes philippinarum); historic principal regions Aichi (Mikawa Bay), Chiba (Tokyo Bay), Kyushu (Ariake Sea); domestic production has dramatically declined; **major imports from China, Korea — 'origin laundering' (産地偽装) was a major scandal in 2022 with Kumamoto** — Japan since 2022 enforces strict origin-labeling rules requiring transparent declaration
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Asari (Japanese Littleneck Clam)?
- JSCI: あさり 生
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Sharing similar functions
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From the same origin
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References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — あさり 生
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.