Asari, Short-necked clam あさり、浅蜊
(Tapes Philippinarum)
A bivalve mollusk that can reach 7.5 cm in length and 3.5 cm in width. This clam is native to the coasts of the Indian, Philippines and Pacific Oceans from Pakistan and India north to China, Japan, Korea and the Kuril Islands. It can be found in shallow waters in substrates of coarse sand, mud, and gravel. It lives in the littoral and sublittoral zones. It burrows no more than about 10 centimeters into the substrate. It sometimes lives in eelgrass beds.
The color can vary from yellowish white or tan to brown. The shell is often spotted.
[Asari in miso soup]
Only eaten in winter and early spring and never raw. Mainly added with shell and all to miso soup. Also (without shell) used in tsukudani, kakiage and zosui.
This clam is considered to be a sustainable aquaculture product.
Photo Wikimedia Commons
Japanese Food Dictionary