Hokkaido Zuwaigani Stick (Japanese Jumbo Snow Crab)

Zuwaigani (Jumbo Snow Crab, Valdai Species) Legs is now available!

Out of all the crabs, the Valdai species is on another level. These Jumbo Snow Crabs are quite the rare catch, only amounting to 2% of all snow crab hauls. Try and enjoy the fabulous Valdai Jumbo Snow Crab. 

What is Zuwaigani?

Zuwaigani lives in the Japan Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. The shells of males are about 15 cm in width, and the females’ shells are 7 to 8 cm wide. The names of these crabs differ depending on the region. Males are called Matsuba-Gani or Echizen-Gani while females are called Seiko-Gani or Kobako-Gani.

【Nigiri: Ebi/Kani】What does Zuwaigani nigiri taste like?

Since Zuwaigani is not regular Edo-style sushi material, it isn’t always chosen by the sushi chefs. Although the leg part of the male crab is preferred as a sushi ingredient because it has a tender yet the fine texture and distinctive sweet taste. Imports from countries such as Russia and Canada are more and more consumed nowadays.

Zuwaigani (Queen crabs) contains high levels of free amino acids. There are sweet taste components in glycine or alanine, umami taste components in glutamic acid, and bitter taste components in arginine. Because all these are balanced well, they produce such a uniquely delicious taste. 

Thawing Instructions

It is best to thaw frozen seafood in the refrigerator overnight. The refrigerator method means the product can thaw, but it never gets warm enough for the bacteria to start breeding quickly, so it's safer to eat. 

Other thawing methods include: immersing frozen seafood in cold water for a short time in a sealed plastic bag or microwaving on a defrost setting until the fish is pliable but still icy.

Don't defrost the product in the microwave.