Why source from Japan
Sendai Bay produces premium akagai with deep red haemoglobin colour; sashimi grading developed in Sendai-region fish markets.
Key spec
Iron 5-10 mg/100g (3-6× typical clams); protein 13-15%; characteristic red haemoglobin meat.
Typical end-product
Premium sushi sashimi export, fine-dining ready-meal, iron-rich functional retail.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 2 suppliers
- Typical MOQ
- 5–25 kg live / fresh; 1–10 kg cleaned shucked
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Miyagi (Sendai Bay), Aomori, Akita
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- October – April
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; phytosanitary for live; shellfish-allergen labelling
- Japanese name
- 赤貝
- Romaji
- 赤貝
About this ingredient
Red-meat clam (Scapharca broughtonii) — characteristic deep red colour from haemoglobin (uncommon in molluscs). Sendai Bay (Miyagi), Aomori, and Akita are the principal commercial harvest regions. Used as a sushi / sashimi premium classic; the muscular adductor portion is graded by colour and texture. Distinct from existing seafood entries (scallop, abalone, crab, prawn, octopus / squid). Iron-rich profile drives functional positioning beyond cuisine.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; phytosanitary for live; shellfish-allergen labelling |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; shellfish-allergen labelling |
| United States | GRAS; FDA Prior Notice; shellfish-allergen labelling |
| China | GACC; live-shellfish inspection |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Akagai (Japanese Ark Shell) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Shio Koji
塩麹
MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
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Last updated: 2026-05-05