Food · Fermented foods
Igai (Japanese Mussel / Mediterranean Mussel)
いがい (Igai)
Also known as: Igai, Mussel, Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Mytilus coruscus, 貽貝, ムール貝, Mūru-gai
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | いがい |
| Common Japanese notations | いがい, 貽貝, ムール貝, イガイ |
| Origin | Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis Mediterranean mussel — most market mussels in Japan; also native Mytilus coruscus Japanese mussel); most retail mussels in Japan are M. galloprovincialis aquaculture-imported or domestically-farmed in Hiroshima area; native M. coruscus (Igai) is historic species; modern Japanese name 'mūru-gai' (mussel) is more commonly used in retail and restaurants |
| Typical functions | Bouillabaisse, paella — Mediterranean-cuisine signature shellfish, Steamed mussels (saké-mushi or wine-steamed) — bistro/foodservice, Pasta with mussels (Italian-Japanese fusion), Stock and broth ingredient |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** Marine-toxin (paralytic shellfish poisoning) monitoring required by harvesting region. |
Igai (いがい / ムール貝) — mussel — Mytilus galloprovincialis Mediterranean mussel dominates Japanese retail and foodservice. Native Mytilus coruscus Igai is historic species. Bouillabaisse, paella, sake-mushi staple. **Marine-toxin monitoring required.**
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.
- Fresh mussel foodservice supply (bistro/Italian channel)
- Frozen prepared mussel B2B
What it is
Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mediterranean mussel, dominant) / M. coruscus (Igai, native).
Typical uses in Japanese products
Bouillabaisse, paella signature.
Sake-mushi or wine-steamed mussel.
Pasta with mussels.
Stock and broth.
For OEM: bistro foodservice, frozen prepared B2B.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Origin disclosure.
**Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**
PSP (paralytic shellfish poisoning) monitoring required by harvesting region.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | **Mollusks EU-mandatory allergen.** Established culinary mussel market. |
|---|---|
| USA | Mollusk allergen disclosure. PSP monitoring required. |
| China | Established culinary mussel market. |
| Korea | Established as 홍합 (honghap); domestic aquaculture. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
References
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — いがい
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.