Kuro Awabi/”Black Abalone

With the weather definitely turning hotter, the first abalones or “awabi” start appearing on the markets.
The Japanese are great connoisseurs and amateurs of abalones, and they do have to import a lot to satisfy their demand!
There amany varieties of different quality avalaible inthe markets and restaurants.
Most are eaten raw, especially as sushi on nigiri!

Kuro Awabi/”Black Abalone”

As for the main varieties, you can sample expensive Kuro Awabi or “Black Abalones”

Another expensive variety is Ezo Awabi/”Ezo Abalone”

Ezo Awabi as sushi.

Lesser varieties include:

Madaka Awabi

Madaka Awabi as sushi

Megai Awabi

Megai Awabi as sushi.

Victoria Awabi imported from Australia.

Victoria Awabi as sushi.

Do not forget that catching abalones in a any place in Japan without a proper license is a seveerly punished poaching offense!