Food · Fermented foods
Hotategai (Japanese Scallop)
ほたてがい (Hotategai)
Also known as: Hotategai, Hotate, Japanese scallop, Yesso scallop, Mizuhopecten yessoensis, 帆立貝, ホタテガイ
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | ほたてがい 生 / 貝柱 生 / 干し / 水煮 / フライ |
| Common Japanese notations | ほたてがい, 帆立貝, ホタテ, ホタテガイ |
| Origin | Yesso scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis); **Hokkaido is the dominant production region (>80% domestic), with Aomori as second** — Mutsu Bay, Saroma Lake (Hokkaido east), Funka Bay (south Hokkaido) are historic premium grounds; Japan is a global top-3 scallop producer; **Japanese scallop exports were heavily impacted by 2023 China import-suspension following Fukushima-treated-water release**, prompting US/EU/SE-Asia channel diversification |
| Typical functions | Hotate-no-hashira premium scallop-adductor — sashimi, sushi, butter-yaki, gratin signature, Dried scallop (kanpyo / kai-bashira) — premium Chinese-cuisine ingredient (干贝), Frozen B2B scallop adductor — major Japanese export category, Scallop-fry foodservice category |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** Hokkaido brand premium category. **Major export disruption from 2023 China import-suspension.** |
Hotategai (ほたてがい / 帆立貝) — Yesso scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) — is Japan's premium scallop, Hokkaido-dominant (>80%). Defining hotate-no-hashira sashimi/sushi/butter-yaki. **Major export channel impacted by 2023 China import-suspension** (Fukushima water), prompting US/EU diversification.
Classification
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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 hotategai retail (Hokkaido premium)
- Frozen scallop-adductor B2B (major export and domestic foodservice)
- Dried scallop premium Chinese-cuisine B2B
- Scallop-fry retail
What it is
Mizuhopecten yessoensis Yesso (Japanese) scallop.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Hotate-no-hashira premium adductor — sashimi, sushi, butter-yaki, gratin.
Dried scallop (kai-bashira) Chinese-cuisine premium.
Frozen B2B scallop adductor (major export).
Scallop-fry foodservice.
For OEM: live Hokkaido premium retail, frozen B2B export, dried Chinese-cuisine.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Origin disclosure.
**Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**
**Major export disruption from 2023 China import-suspension.**
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | **Mollusks EU-mandatory allergen.** Established Japanese-scallop premium market. |
|---|---|
| USA | Mollusk allergen disclosure. **Major growth market post-2023 (China-suspension diversification).** |
| China | **2023 import-suspension following Fukushima treated-water release; partial resumption ongoing.** |
| Korea | Strong premium import market. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
References
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — ほたてがい 生 / 貝柱 生 / 干し / 水煮 / フライ
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.