The Japanese word for crab is kani and snow crab is zuwaigani. Find more translations in the following section.
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| Romanji | Kanji | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Crab カニ | Kani | 蟹 | |
| Crab legs カニのあし | Kani no ashi | カニの脚 | |
| Crab shell カニのから | Kani no kara | カニの殻 | |
| Crab claw カニのつめ | Kani no tsume | カニの爪 | |
| Red king crab タラバガニ | Tarabagani | たらば蟹 | |
| Blue king crab アブラガニ | Aburagani | タラバ蟹 | |
| Japanese spider crab タコガニ | Takogani | タコ蟹 | |
| Horsehair crab 毛ガニ | Kegani | けガニ | |
| Snow crab ズワイガニ | Zuwaigani | ズワイ蟹 | |
| Hanasaki crab はなさきガニ | Hanasakigani | 花咲ガニ |
Interesting facts about crabs in Japan
Crabs are a common seafood in Japan during the winter months because that’s when it is crab season. The most common species are the red king, blue king, horsehair, hanasaki, Japanese spider and snow crab. They are often enjoyed in sushi and as sashimi, in miso soup, hot pots, and also grilled or boiled.
Also, crab prices in Japan vary depending on the species. The blue and red king species, for example, costs around YEN 13,500 ($90 US), while the Japanese spider crab can cost anything between $100 to $500 (depending on the size).
Find out more about this winter Japanese seafood here.