noun
whelk; sea snail (Neptunea, Buccinum)
Refers to edible sea snails of the whelk family, especially Neptunea and Buccinum species. Commonly encountered in Japanese cuisine.
See also: ツブ
つぶ貝の刺身はコリコリした食感が美味しい。
Whelk sashimi has a crunchy texture that is delicious.
市場で新鮮なツブ貝を買った。
I bought fresh whelks at the market.
ツブ is a broader term for whelks or similar sea snails, while つぶ貝 specifically refers to the shellfish as food or in a culinary context.
Compound of つぶ (tsubu, an old name for whelks or small spiral shells) and 貝 (kai, 'shellfish'). The exact origin of つぶ is uncertain, but it may be related to the idea of small, round objects.