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.
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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 tairagai (Ariake luxury)
- Imported tairagai retail (general supply)
- Frozen adductor B2B sushi-channel
Ingredient profile
Atrina pectinata pen shell (large adductor — kai-bashira).
OEM applications
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. |
Market reference formulations
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Quick answers
- What is Tairagai (Pen Shell)?
- 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.
- What is the regulatory status of Tairagai (Pen Shell) in Japan?
- Standard food labeling. **Origin disclosure mandatory — native Ariake vs imported is high-stakes distinction.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**
- What products typically use Tairagai (Pen Shell)?
- Live native tairagai (Ariake luxury) / Imported tairagai retail (general supply) / Frozen adductor B2B sushi-channel
- Where does Tairagai (Pen Shell) come from?
- 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
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Tairagai (Pen Shell)?
- JSCI: たいらがい 貝柱
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References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) 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.