noun
botan shrimp; Pandalus nipponensis
A species of shrimp found in northern Japan, prized as sashimi and sushi. The name comes from the flower-like pattern on its shell.
北海道では、ぼたんえびの刺身が名物だ。
In Hokkaido, botan shrimp sashimi is a local specialty.
この牡丹海老はとても甘くておいしい。
This botan shrimp is very sweet and delicious.
甘海老 (Pandalus borealis) is a smaller, sweeter shrimp often served raw. 牡丹海老 is larger and has a more distinct pattern on its shell.
Compound of 牡丹 (botan, 'peony') and 海老 (ebi, 'shrimp'), referring to the peony-like pattern on the shrimp's shell.