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.**
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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.
- Fresh mussel foodservice supply (bistro/Italian channel)
- Frozen prepared mussel B2B
Ingredient profile
Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mediterranean mussel, dominant) / M. coruscus (Igai, native).
OEM applications
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. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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Quick answers
- What is Igai (Japanese Mussel / Mediterranean Mussel)?
- 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.**
- What is the regulatory status of Igai (Japanese Mussel / Mediterranean Mussel) in Japan?
- Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** Marine-toxin (paralytic shellfish poisoning) monitoring required by harvesting region.
- What products typically use Igai (Japanese Mussel / Mediterranean Mussel)?
- Fresh mussel foodservice supply (bistro/Italian channel) / Frozen prepared mussel B2B
- Where does Igai (Japanese Mussel / Mediterranean Mussel) come from?
- 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
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Igai (Japanese Mussel / Mediterranean Mussel)?
- JSCI: いがい
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References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — いがい
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.