Food · Fermented foods

Itayagai (Itaya Scallop)

いたやがい (Itayagai)

Also known as: Itayagai, Itaya scallop, Pecten albicans, 板屋貝, イタヤガイ

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameいたやがい
Common Japanese notationsいたやがい, 板屋貝, イタヤガイ
OriginItaya scallop (Pecten albicans / Mimachlamys nobilis-related Pectinidae); smaller scallop relative; principal historic regions Aichi (Mikawa Bay), Mie, Wakayama; **wild-only, no commercial aquaculture**; less common than hotategai (Yesso scallop) which dominates the Japanese scallop category; **regional specialty rather than nationwide-supplied**
Typical functionsSashimi / sushi nigiri (regional specialty), Butter-yaki preparation, Foodservice regional supply
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. **Origin disclosure.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**

Itayagai (いたやがい / 板屋貝) — itaya scallop (Pecten albicans family) — is a smaller wild-only scallop relative. Mikawa Bay regional specialty. Less common than hotategai. Niche regional sashimi/butter-yaki.

Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Used in (typical product categories)

Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.

  • Live/fresh itayagai regional retail (Mikawa Bay specialty)
  • Frozen B2B (limited supply)

What it is

Pecten albicans-family itaya scallop (smaller scallop relative).

Typical uses in Japanese products

Sashimi / sushi nigiri regional specialty.

Butter-yaki.

Foodservice regional supply.

For OEM: regional retail, limited frozen B2B.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**

Regulatory classification in other markets

EU**Mollusks EU-mandatory allergen.** Niche specialty.
USAMollusk allergen disclosure. Niche specialty.
ChinaNiche specialty.
KoreaNiche specialty.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification.

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Related ingredients

References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — いたやがい

Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

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