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.
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/fresh hokki Hokkaido premium retail
- Frozen blanched hokki B2B (sushi-channel staple)
- Hokki-meshi retail finished product
What it is
Pseudocardium sachalinense Sakhalin surf clam (cold-water).
Typical uses in Japanese products
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. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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Sharing similar functions
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From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
References
- MEXT 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.