Amaebi - Sweet shrimp Wild
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甘海老

Amaebi

Sweet Shrimp
Hokkaido, Japan Live Seafood Wild
Size Range
20g–40g
Availability
Daily / Year-round
Forms Available
Live, Whole
Shipping
Live (Air Freight)
Request Pricing

The Sweet Shrimp

Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp / Northern Pink Shrimp) is one of Japan's most beloved sushi toppings — famous for a natural sweetness so intense and pure that no seasoning is needed. Caught in the cold, deep waters off Hokkaido and northern Honshu at depths of 200–400 meters, Amaebi are harvested by trawl and sold whole with heads intact.

The sweetness of Amaebi is a fascinating biological phenomenon — after death, natural enzymes convert proteins into free amino acids (particularly glycine and alanine), and this process actually intensifies with brief aging. Skilled sushi chefs prize slightly aged Amaebi over freshly killed specimens for exactly this reason. The bright orange roe carried by female shrimp is a further delicacy.

Advance Intertrade sources Amaebi from Hokkaido and Toyama Bay, offering both live specimens (for the most premium venues) and fresh-frozen product that preserves the characteristic sweetness. The heads are always retained — deep-fried, they become one of Japan's great sushi bar treats.

How It's Served

  • 🍣

    Sushi (Nigiri)

    The definitive Amaebi preparation — 2-3 raw shrimp draped over rice, needing only a whisper of soy sauce to complete the experience.

  • 🍣

    Sashimi

    Served raw with the heads presented alongside — the creamy sweetness and translucent appearance are unmatched.

  • 🍳

    Deep-fried Heads

    The heads, deep-fried until crispy, are one of the great sushi bar bonuses — crunchy, savory, packed with concentrated shrimp umami.

  • 🥢

    Kobujime (Kelp-cured)

    Briefly pressed between sheets of kombu (kelp) — the treatment enhances umami while preserving the pristine texture.

Export & Sourcing Details

HS Code
0306.17 (Fresh) / 0306.17 (Frozen)
Seasonality
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sweet shrimp — winter peak from cold northern waters.
Size Grading
SizeGradeCommon Use
15–25gStandardKaiten sushi, general use
25–35gLargePremium sushi, sashimi — most popular
35–45gJumboHigh-end sushi bars, luxury presentations
45g+SuperRare oversized specimens, top-tier venues
Available Forms
Live (limited) · Fresh whole (head-on) · Frozen whole · Peeled tails · Egg-bearing (uchiko-tsuki)
Packing & Cold Chain
Fresh: gel ice in EPS box with foam padding. Frozen: IQF (individually quick-frozen), vacuum-sealed. Live: seawater/oxygen bag.
Sourcing Region
Hokkaido (primary), Toyama Bay, Ishikawa — deep-water trawl fishery from 200–400m depths. Egg-bearing females are seasonal specialties.
Minimum Order
From 1 box (approx. 1–2 kg). Egg-bearing specimens by pre-order. Contact us for current pricing.
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