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
Whelk sashimi has a crunchy texture that is delicious.
I bought fresh whelks at the market.
Katakana spelling often used in culinary or market contexts.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
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.