Food · Fermented foods
Tsubu / Bai (Whelk)
つぶ (ばい) (Tsubu (Bai))
Also known as: Tsubu, Bai, Japanese whelk, Buccinum striatissimum, Babylonia japonica, 螺, ツブ, バイ
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | つぶ (ばい) |
| Common Japanese notations | つぶ, ツブ, ばい, バイ, 螺, ヒメエゾボラ, エゾボラ |
| Origin | Whelks — multiple species commonly grouped as 'tsubu' or 'bai' in Japanese: **Buccinum striatissimum (Hime-ezobora — premium Hokkaido tsubu)**, **Babylonia japonica (Japanese whelk — bai)**; principal regions Hokkaido (volume), Aomori, Niigata, Iwate; **CAUTION: salivary glands of some Buccinum species contain tetramine (tetramethylammonium) — neurotoxic** — must be removed before consumption; sushi-channel and specialty foodservice |
| Typical functions | Sashimi / sushi nigiri (Hokkaido tsubu specialty), Tsuboyaki shell-grilled preparation, Nimono sweet-soy simmered, Foodservice Hokkaido-cuisine signature |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. **CRITICAL: Tetramine-bearing salivary glands of certain Buccinum tsubu species must be removed by trained processor before consumption — consumer-direct retail of unprocessed Buccinum poses neurotoxin risk.** **Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.** |
Tsubu / Bai (つぶ / ばい) — multiple whelk species: Hokkaido Buccinum striatissimum (hime-ezobora premium tsubu), Babylonia japonica (bai). **CAUTION: tetramine-bearing salivary glands of certain tsubu species must be removed by trained processor — neurotoxin risk.** Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate regions.
Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Live tsubu Hokkaido retail (sushi-grade)
- Frozen tsubu B2B sushi-channel
- Foodservice supply
What it is
Buccinum / Babylonia whelks (Buccinum may contain tetramine in salivary glands).
Typical uses in Japanese products
Sashimi / sushi nigiri Hokkaido specialty.
Tsuboyaki shell-grilled.
Sweet-soy nimono.
Foodservice Hokkaido signature.
For OEM: live sushi-grade retail, frozen B2B sushi, foodservice. **Trained processor required for tetramine removal.**
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling.
**CRITICAL: tetramine-bearing salivary glands of Buccinum tsubu must be removed by trained processor.**
**Mollusk JAS-recommended-disclosure allergen.**
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | **Mollusks EU-mandatory allergen.** Niche specialty. Tetramine safety required. |
|---|---|
| USA | Mollusk allergen disclosure. Niche specialty. Tetramine safety required. |
| China | Niche specialty. |
| Korea | Established as 골뱅이 (golbaengi) — domestic specialty. |
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 — つぶ (ばい)
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.