mirugai clam; gaper clam (Tresus keenae)
A species of large saltwater clam found in Japan; the name is often written in katakana.
See also: ミルクイ
The mirugai clam is a large bivalve and is edible.
I found fresh mirugai clams at the market.
海松食 (みるくい) is an older or abbreviated name for the same clam; ミルクイガイ is the fuller, more common modern term.
Hiragana spelling, also used.
Rare kanji spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
Rare kanji spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
From 海松 “codium seaweed,” 食い “eating,” and 貝 “shellfish,” named for the protruding siphon, which resembles 海松 and appears to be eaten by the shell.