Shellfish
Whelk (Tsubugai)
【Nigiri sushi: Kai】
What is Tsubugai?
Tsubugai (Whelk) is found all the way from Hokkaido northward and to the Bering Sea. It mainly inhabits the sand and gravel of shallow seas up to 10 meters deep from the tidal zone. It has a thick and robust shell that grows to heights of 15 cm and a width of 10 cm. The shell’s surface is a slightly reddish-brown color.
Tsubugai is a generic name for the edible family Buccinidae, of which there is no shellfish species named by that name. Among the Buccinidae, the genus Buccinum is called "Tsubu" and all other species are often called "Bai".
It is consumed and preferred in regions such as Hokkaido and Tohoku. It has a crunchy texture, and its bitterness and slight sweetness increase with every bite.
However, in the Kanto region, there are sushi chefs who say that due to the texture, it pairs well with alcohol, but is not suitable for Nigiri sushi. Some chefs use it and some don’t, depending on this preference. As it contains a weak poison called tetramine, if you eat it incorrectly you will experience paralysis symptoms such as dizziness, so you must be very careful when preparing it yourself.
Also called Neptune.
【Related contents】
What is Baigai sushi?
List of Shellfish (Kai)
(Revision date: April 9, 2025)