also: くるまエビ
noun
kuruma prawn; Japanese tiger prawn; Marsupenaeus japonicus
A species of prawn highly valued in Japanese cuisine, known for its distinctive striped pattern. Often used in sushi and tempura.
車海老は高級な寿司ネタとして人気がある。
Kuruma prawn is popular as a high-class sushi topping.
活きのいい車海老を塩焼きにした。
I grilled some fresh kuruma prawns with salt.
Mixed kanji-katakana spelling, often seen in food contexts.
Alternate kanji using 蝦; less common than 海老.
Refers to the black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon), a different species often farmed and larger, while 車海老 is a specific Japanese species with a sweeter taste and higher market value.
Sweet shrimp (Pandalus eous), smaller and often eaten raw; 車海老 is larger and has a firmer texture, commonly cooked.
Named for the curved, wheel-like (車) pattern on its shell when bent, resembling the spokes of a wheel. The derivation is straightforward from the kanji components.