Translation guide
The Japanese scallop is a specific species of scallop commonly eaten in Japan. This guide covers how to refer to it in Japanese, including common names, culinary contexts, and scientific terminology.
Referring to the Japanese scallop as a living creature or as a food ingredient, especially in everyday conversation or menus.
Hokkaido is a production area for scallops.
Let's have scallops sautéed in butter tonight.
Literally 'scallop shellfish', this term explicitly refers to the animal itself, often in biological or fisheries contexts.
Scallop aquaculture is thriving.
An archaic or poetic name for scallop, rarely used in modern Japanese. Might appear in classical literature or local dialects.
Itayagai is found in old documents.
When you need to specify the exact species Mizuhopecten yessoensis, for example in academic or technical writing.
The standard Japanese name for the Japanese scallop species, often used in scientific contexts. 'Ezo' is an old name for Hokkaido.
The Japanese scallop is distributed around Hokkaido.
The scientific name, used in formal research papers. Not for everyday conversation.
The scientific name is Mizuhopecten yessoensis.
Ordering or buying scallops, where specific cuts or preparations might be named.
Simply 'hotate' is sufficient for most menu items. Often seen as ホタテ.
I'll have the scallop sashimi, please.
Refers specifically to the adductor muscle (the large white part), which is the main edible portion. Often used for sashimi or sushi.
The frilled mantle (the 'skirt') of the scallop, often served as a separate dish. Can be an acquired taste.
In everyday writing (menus, supermarkets), ホタテ (katakana) is extremely common. 帆立 is also widely used. Both are correct and interchangeable.
In English, 'scallop' can refer to various species. In Japan, ホタテ almost always means the Japanese scallop. If you need to distinguish from other species (e.g., Atlantic sea scallop), you may need to specify エゾホタテガイ or use the scientific name.
The scallop adductor muscle tempura is exquisite.
I like the vinegared scallop mantle.