Food · Fermented foods
Mirugai (Geoduck / Trough Shell)
みるがい (Mirugai)
Also known as: Mirugai, Mirukui, Geoduck, Trough shell, Tresus keenae, 海松貝, 海松食
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | みるがい |
| Common Japanese notations | みるがい, 海松貝, 海松食, ミルガイ, ミルクイ |
| Origin | Trough shell / mirugai (Tresus keenae); principal historic regions Aichi (Mikawa Bay), Mie (Ise Bay), Tokyo Bay; **wild-harvest declining sharply** — domestic mirugai is now luxury-priced category; widely supplemented by imported white-mirugai (Tresus capax / Panopea generosa imported geoduck) which is taxonomically related but distinct; **siphon (zougeshu) is the prized edible part**; iconic premium-edomae sushi topping |
| Typical functions | Premium edomae sushi nigiri — siphon is iconic top-tier topping, Sashimi luxury, Kaiseki signature shellfish, **Substitution: 'shiro-mirugai' (Panopea geoduck import) often substitutes** |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required — native mirugai vs imported shiro-mirugai (geoduck) distinction is mandatory.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** |
Mirugai (みるがい / 海松貝) — trough shell (Tresus keenae) — is Japan's iconic premium edomae sushi shellfish. **Wild-harvest sharply declining; native mirugai is luxury-priced.** Imported geoduck (Panopea generosa, 'shiro-mirugai') frequently substitutes — **origin disclosure mandatory.**
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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.
- Live native mirugai (luxury sushi-channel)
- Imported geoduck mirugai (general sushi-channel)
- Frozen siphon B2B (sushi-channel staple)
Ingredient profile
Tresus keenae trough shell native mirugai (vs. imported Panopea generosa geoduck).
OEM applications
Premium edomae sushi nigiri (siphon iconic).
Sashimi luxury.
Kaiseki signature shellfish.
For OEM: live native premium retail, imported geoduck general retail, frozen siphon B2B.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling.
**Native vs imported origin disclosure mandatory.**
**Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | **Mollusks EU-mandatory allergen.** Niche premium specialty. |
|---|---|
| USA | Mollusk allergen disclosure. **Geoduck (Panopea generosa) is major US Pacific-Northwest aquaculture export to Asia including Japan.** |
| China | Major geoduck premium-import market. |
| Korea | Premium sushi-channel import. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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Quick answers
- What is Mirugai (Geoduck / Trough Shell)?
- Mirugai (みるがい / 海松貝) — trough shell (Tresus keenae) — is Japan's iconic premium edomae sushi shellfish. **Wild-harvest sharply declining; native mirugai is luxury-priced.** Imported geoduck (Panopea generosa, 'shiro-mirugai') frequently substitutes — **origin disclosure mandatory.**
- What is the regulatory status of Mirugai (Geoduck / Trough Shell) in Japan?
- Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure required — native mirugai vs imported shiro-mirugai (geoduck) distinction is mandatory.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**
- What products typically use Mirugai (Geoduck / Trough Shell)?
- Live native mirugai (luxury sushi-channel) / Imported geoduck mirugai (general sushi-channel) / Frozen siphon B2B (sushi-channel staple)
- Where does Mirugai (Geoduck / Trough Shell) come from?
- Trough shell / mirugai (Tresus keenae); principal historic regions Aichi (Mikawa Bay), Mie (Ise Bay), Tokyo Bay; **wild-harvest declining sharply** — domestic mirugai is now luxury-priced category; widely supplemented by imported white-mirugai (Tresus capax / Panopea generosa imported geoduck) which is taxonomically related but distinct; **siphon (zougeshu) is the prized edible part**; iconic premium-edomae sushi topping
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Mirugai (Geoduck / Trough Shell)?
- JSCI: みるがい
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References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — みるがい
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.