Hamaguri Clams

Hamaguri clams (はまぐり in Japanese) are about 3-8 cm in size. They are in season from autumn to spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The clams are plump and soft, and is served with the shell in clear soup, grilled dishes, and sake steamed dishes. They are also used in a variety of other dishes, including salads, sushi, hot pots, rice dishes, tsukudani (preserved food boiled in mirin and soy sauce), and tempura. Hamaguri clams are rich in umami ingredients, so even a small amount can make a delicious soup stock.

Hamaguri clams are low in calories and high in protein. They are very rich in vitamin B12, which helps produce red blood cells and prevents anemia.  Vitamin K is also important for maintaining normal nerve function and plays a role in supporting energy metabolism. Hamaguri clams contain a lot of vitamin B2, which is involved in metabolism. They are also rich in calcium, iron, and zinc, which are nutrients related to preventing anemia, improving immunity, and cell growth. Hamaguri clams also contains taurine, an amino acid that improves liver function and suppresses cholesterol absorption in the digestive tract. They are also rich in glycine, alanine, and glutamic acid.
While hamaguri clams are a nutritious food, they are high in salt, so care should be taken not to eat too many or with too much seasoning. Both vitamin B12 and taurine are water-soluble, so a good method of cooking is steaming the clams with sake and eating them with the broth.

Soak the clams in 2-3% salt water overnight to remove sand, then drain in a colander and leave for about 30 minutes to remove salt. Afterwards, wrap in lightly damp kitchen paper and store in the refrigerator. It will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 days. If freezing, remove the sand and salt, then place in a storage bag and store in the freezer. Their shelf life is about two weeks.

Hamaguri clam soup is used for Hinamatsuri (girl’s festival) and wedding celebrations in Japan. Because the clam shells only fit with their respective other half, they are considered a symbol of marital harmony.

Hamaguri clam soup

Clams can cause food poisoning. When digging for clams, check to see if there is shellfish poisoning, and be careful not to eat clams from areas where shellfish poisoning is known to be present.