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.**
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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 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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Quick answers
- What is Zuwai-gani (Snow Crab)?
- 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.**
- What is the regulatory status of Zuwai-gani (Snow Crab) in Japan?
- Standard food labeling. Multiple GI brands established. **Crustacean is JAS-mandatory allergen.**
- What products typically use Zuwai-gani (Snow Crab)?
- Live and fresh zuwai-gani (premium foodservice) / Pre-cooked boiled crab gift retail / Echizen-gani / Matsuba-gani / Tsuwabuki-gani GI premium gift retail
- Where does Zuwai-gani (Snow Crab) come from?
- 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
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Zuwai-gani (Snow Crab)?
- JSCI: ずわいがに
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References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) 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.