Food · Fermented foods
Hamaguri (Common Orient Clam)
はまぐり (Hamaguri)
Also known as: Hamaguri, Common orient clam, Meretrix lusoria, 蛤, ハマグリ
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | はまぐり 生 / 水煮 / 焼き |
| Common Japanese notations | はまぐり, 蛤, ハマグリ |
| Origin | Common orient clam (Meretrix lusoria); native Japanese hamaguri has dramatically declined — wild Japanese hamaguri remains only in Kashima Sea (Ibaraki) and Ariake Sea (Kyushu); **most retail 'hamaguri' in Japan is now imported Chinese hamaguri (M. petechialis) or Korean hamaguri**; native Japanese hamaguri is luxury-priced category; **defining ingredient for Hina-matsuri (Girls' Day, March 3) sui-mono soup** — symbolizing matched-pair fidelity |
| Typical functions | Hina-matsuri (Girls' Day) defining sui-mono clear soup — cultural ceremony, Sake-mushi sake-steamed preparation, Yaki-hamaguri (grilled hamaguri) — Kuwana (Mie) historic specialty (旧東海道宿場名物), Sushi topping (premium kaiseki), Bongole-style pasta premium variant |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure strictly enforced — distinguishing native Japanese vs. imported Chinese/Korean is mandatory.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** |
Hamaguri (はまぐり / 蛤) is the common orient clam (Meretrix lusoria). **Defining ingredient for Hina-matsuri (Girls' Day, March 3) clear-soup ceremony.** Yaki-hamaguri Kuwana historic specialty. Native Japanese hamaguri luxury-priced; most retail is imported Chinese (M. petechialis) or Korean.
Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Live native Japanese hamaguri (luxury retail)
- Imported Chinese/Korean hamaguri retail (general)
- Frozen shucked hamaguri B2B
- Hamaguri-soup retail finished product
What it is
Meretrix lusoria common orient clam (native and Asian-imported).
Typical uses in Japanese products
Hina-matsuri Girls' Day clear-soup ceremony.
Sake-mushi sake-steamed.
Yaki-hamaguri Kuwana historic specialty.
Premium sushi topping.
For OEM: live retail (native luxury / imported general), frozen shucked B2B, soup retail.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. **Native Japanese vs. imported origin disclosure mandatory.**
**Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | **Mollusks EU-mandatory allergen.** Niche specialty market. |
|---|---|
| USA | Mollusk allergen disclosure. Niche specialty. |
| China | Native and ubiquitous; major export source for Japan supply. |
| Korea | Established as 백합 (baekhap); domestic aquaculture. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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From the same origin
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References
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — はまぐり 生 / 水煮 / 焼き
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.