Food · Fermented foods
Sarubo (Canned Half-Crenate Ark)
さるぼう 缶詰 (Sarubō kanzume)
Also known as: Sarubo, Sarubo-gai, Half-crenate ark, Anadara kagoshimensis, 猿頬貝, サルボウ
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | さるぼう 缶詰 |
| Common Japanese notations | さるぼう, さるぼう貝, 猿頬貝, サルボウ, 缶詰さるぼう |
| Origin | Half-crenate ark (Anadara kagoshimensis); smaller relative of akagai (A. broughtonii); principal historic Ariake Sea (Saga, Kumamoto), Mikawa Bay; **commercially produced largely as canned-product** (sweet-soy or natural water-pack) rather than fresh-shucked retail; volume use as **inazushi (sweet-vinegar pickled fish-rice)**, **chirashi-zushi topping**, and **akagai-substitute** in lower-tier retail/foodservice |
| Typical functions | Canned sweet-soy preparation — defining shelf-stable preserve format, Inazushi component (sweet-vinegar fish-rice premix), Chirashi-zushi topping, Akagai-substitute in lower-tier retail |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Sarubo and akagai are distinct species — must not be labeled as akagai.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** |
Sarubo (さるぼう / 猿頬貝) — half-crenate ark (Anadara kagoshimensis) — is a smaller relative of akagai (ark shell). Primarily commercialized as **canned shelf-stable preserve** (sweet-soy or water-pack). Inazushi, chirashi-zushi topping, akagai-substitute applications.
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.
- Canned sarubo retail (sweet-soy and water-pack)
- Foodservice canned sarubo B2B (sushi-supply, inazushi, chirashi)
What it is
Anadara kagoshimensis half-crenate ark (canned form is dominant retail).
Typical uses in Japanese products
Canned sweet-soy preserve format.
Inazushi sweet-vinegar fish-rice.
Chirashi-zushi topping.
Akagai-substitute lower-tier.
For OEM: canned retail, foodservice canned B2B sushi-supply.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling.
**Distinct from akagai — must not be labeled 'akagai'.**
**Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | **Mollusks EU-mandatory allergen.** Niche specialty. |
|---|---|
| USA | Mollusk allergen disclosure. Niche specialty. |
| China | Native species; shellfish-canning industry established. |
| Korea | Established as 새꼬막. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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From the same origin
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References
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — さるぼう 缶詰
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.