Food · Fermented foods
Tairagai (Pen Shell)
たいらがい (Tairagai)
Also known as: Tairagai, Tairagi, Pen shell, Atrina pectinata, 平貝, タイラガイ
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | たいらがい 貝柱 |
| Common Japanese notations | たいらがい, たいらぎ, 平貝, タイラガイ, タイラギ |
| Origin | Pen shell (Atrina pectinata); large fan-shaped triangular shell with a single large adductor; principal historic regions Ariake Sea (Saga, Fukuoka — once iconic dive-fishery), Mikawa Bay; **native population dramatically declined since 1990s; domestic Ariake tairagai is luxury rarity**; modern retail supplemented by Korean and Chinese imports; **adductor (kai-bashira) is the prized edible part** — premium edomae sushi nigiri |
| Typical functions | Premium edomae sushi adductor — defining luxury topping, Sashimi luxury, Butter-yaki adductor (premium foodservice), Kaiseki signature |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure mandatory — native Ariake vs imported is high-stakes distinction.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** |
Tairagai (たいらがい / 平貝) — pen shell (Atrina pectinata) — is a large fan-shaped premium shellfish with a single luxury adductor. **Ariake Sea native population dramatically declined; domestic Ariake tairagai is luxury rarity.** Premium edomae sushi adductor.
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.
- Live native tairagai (Ariake luxury)
- Imported tairagai retail (general supply)
- Frozen adductor B2B sushi-channel
What it is
Atrina pectinata pen shell (large adductor — kai-bashira).
Typical uses in Japanese products
Premium edomae sushi adductor.
Sashimi luxury.
Butter-yaki premium foodservice.
Kaiseki signature.
For OEM: live native Ariake premium, imported general, frozen adductor B2B sushi.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. **Native Ariake 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. Niche sushi-channel premium. |
| China | Native and major import origin. |
| Korea | Established as 키조개 (kijogae); domestic aquaculture. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification.
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Sharing similar functions
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From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
References
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — たいらがい 貝柱
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.