Hokkigai – [Sushi|Foodlore]

Description

Hokkigai – (“Surf Clam.”, ”Amerikaubagi”) – Katakana: ホッキガイ, Hiragana: ほっきがい , Kanji: 北寄貝

• About this clam: The leg muscle of an Arctic Surf Clam, fished from the North Atlantic off the coast of Canada! They have a tasty, slightly firmer texture compared to other types of clam. (Boiling ’em is what turns the tips that beautiful crisp red color.) – Sharp-eyed chefs will tell you that this technically isn’t a ‘Hokkigai.’ (which specifically refers to “Sakhalin surf clams” which cook to be a bit more purple.) However, this type is far more popularly served world wide. So, most will call it a ‘Hokkigai’ regardless. (This red type is also sometimes known as ’アメリカウバガイ’ or ‘Amerikaubagi’ because of where it is fished!) – To me these arctic clams will always be a sign of perseverance & a friendly reminder that; in the famous words of Matsuoza Shuzo; you should “NEVER GIVE UP!!“

[Sticker art by @Samkalensky, Part of my Nigiri Sushi/Foodlore collections.]