Round Clam · 青柳 (あおやぎ)

Bright orange foot with a distinctive chewiness. Mild and sweet with a hint of the sea.

Its real market name is bakagai — fool's clam — for the way it lolls its orange foot from the shell like a tongue. Menus prefer the prettier Aoyagi.

Category: kai · Season: spring (peak Mar, Apr, May) · Origin: Japan (Chiba), Korea

Preparations

Nigiri 握り · Sashimi 刺身 · Temaki 手卷

Shun 旬 — a field guide and tasting diary for sushi lovers.