Food · Fermented foods
Zuwai-gani (Snow Crab)
ずわいがに (Zuwai-gani)
Also known as: Zuwai-gani, Snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, 頭矮蟹, Matsuba-gani (Tottori), Echizen-gani (Fukui), Tsuwabuki-gani (Hyogo)
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | ずわいがに |
| Common Japanese notations | ずわいがに, 頭矮蟹, ズワイガニ, 松葉ガニ, 越前ガニ, 間人ガニ |
| Origin | Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio); Japan Sea coastal harvest, winter season (November-March); principal landings Tottori (Matsuba-gani), Fukui (Echizen-gani — Imperial designated), Hyogo (Tsuwabuki-gani), Kyoto (Tango Taiza-gani — premium); each region has GI-protected branding |
| Typical functions | Ultra-premium winter foodservice — kani-suki, kani-nabe, sashimi, Premium gift retail — established gift category, Pre-cooked retail (boiled crab gift packaging) |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard food labeling. Multiple GI brands established. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.** |
Zuwai-gani (ずわいがに / Snow Crab) — Chionoecetes opilio — is one of Japan's most prestigious winter crustaceans with multiple regional GI brands: Matsuba-gani (Tottori), Echizen-gani (Fukui — Imperial designated), Tsuwabuki-gani (Hyogo), Tango Taiza-gani (Kyoto). OEM positioning is ultra-premium winter gift retail and foodservice. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.**
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
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Live and fresh zuwai-gani (premium foodservice)
- Pre-cooked boiled crab gift retail
- Echizen-gani / Matsuba-gani / Tsuwabuki-gani GI premium gift retail
Ingredient profile
Chionoecetes opilio snow crab. Multiple regional GI brands.
OEM applications
Ultra-premium foodservice (kani-suki, kani-nabe, sashimi).
Premium GI gift retail (Echizen-gani, Matsuba-gani, etc.).
Pre-cooked boiled gift retail.
For OEM: ultra-premium gift retail, foodservice cold-chain supply.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Multiple GI brands. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.**
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Established global snow crab trade. Crustacean allergen mandatory. |
|---|---|
| USA | Established US snow crab industry. Crustacean allergen mandatory. |
| China | Premium specialty positioning. |
| Korea | Korea has substantial daege tradition. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification of regional GI brand origin.
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Sharing similar functions
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From the same origin
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References
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — ずわいがに 各形態
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.