Food · Fermented foods
Hokkigai (Sakhalin Surf Clam)
ほっきがい (Hokkigai)
Also known as: Hokkigai, Hokki, Sakhalin surf clam, Ubagai, Pseudocardium sachalinense, 北寄貝, 姥貝
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | ほっきがい (うばがい) |
| Common Japanese notations | ほっきがい, 北寄貝, 姥貝, ホッキ, ウバガイ |
| Origin | Sakhalin surf clam (Pseudocardium sachalinense); cold-water species; principal domestic regions Hokkaido (Tomakomai is officially-designated 'city shellfish' / 市の貝), Aomori (Mutsu Bay), Fukushima (Soma) historically; **Tomakomai is the volume center**; characteristic flame-colored siphon when blanched (turns from grey to vivid pink) is iconic sushi visual |
| Typical functions | Sushi defining premium nigiri — vivid pink blanched siphon iconic, Hokki-meshi Tomakomai-specialty rice dish, Sashimi premium, Hokki-curry (regional specialty curry), Foodservice Hokkaido-cuisine signature |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** Tomakomai-designated specialty. |
Hokkigai (ほっきがい / 北寄貝 / 姥貝) — Sakhalin surf clam (Pseudocardium sachalinense) — is Tomakomai's officially-designated 'city shellfish'. Sushi-defining premium nigiri with iconic vivid-pink blanched siphon. Hokkaido volume; Aomori, Fukushima historically.
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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.
- Live/fresh hokki Hokkaido premium retail
- Frozen blanched hokki B2B (sushi-channel staple)
- Hokki-meshi retail finished product
Ingredient profile
Pseudocardium sachalinense Sakhalin surf clam (cold-water).
OEM applications
Sushi premium nigiri (iconic pink siphon).
Hokki-meshi Tomakomai rice dish.
Sashimi premium.
Hokki-curry regional specialty.
For OEM: live Hokkaido premium retail, frozen blanched B2B sushi, retail prepared.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Origin disclosure. **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | **Mollusks EU-mandatory allergen.** Niche premium specialty. |
|---|---|
| USA | Mollusk allergen disclosure. Sushi-channel premium specialty. |
| China | Niche premium sushi-channel import. |
| Korea | Niche premium import. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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Quick answers
- What is Hokkigai (Sakhalin Surf Clam)?
- Hokkigai (ほっきがい / 北寄貝 / 姥貝) — Sakhalin surf clam (Pseudocardium sachalinense) — is Tomakomai's officially-designated 'city shellfish'. Sushi-defining premium nigiri with iconic vivid-pink blanched siphon. Hokkaido volume; Aomori, Fukushima historically.
- What is the regulatory status of Hokkigai (Sakhalin Surf Clam) in Japan?
- Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** Tomakomai-designated specialty.
- What products typically use Hokkigai (Sakhalin Surf Clam)?
- Live/fresh hokki Hokkaido premium retail / Frozen blanched hokki B2B (sushi-channel staple) / Hokki-meshi retail finished product
- Where does Hokkigai (Sakhalin Surf Clam) come from?
- Sakhalin surf clam (Pseudocardium sachalinense); cold-water species; principal domestic regions Hokkaido (Tomakomai is officially-designated 'city shellfish' / 市の貝), Aomori (Mutsu Bay), Fukushima (Soma) historically; **Tomakomai is the volume center**; characteristic flame-colored siphon when blanched (turns from grey to vivid pink) is iconic sushi visual
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Hokkigai (Sakhalin Surf Clam)?
- JSCI: ほっきがい (うばがい)
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References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — ほっきがい (うばがい)
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.