【Reading】えぞばふんSea Urchin

【English Name】Ezo Bafun Sea Urchin

This sea urchin, written in kanji as "ezo bafun uni," inhabits mainly Hokkaido (Ezo) and was named because the round shape of its shell resembles horse dung (bafun). It is a medium-sized species belonging to the family Strongylocentrotidae, with a shell about 5 cm in diameter and about 3 cm in height. Its body color is often reddish-brown or brown, but individuals with a dark greenish hue are also found.

The Hokkaido coast is the center of its distribution, extending to around Sagami Bay on the Pacific side and to near Yamaguchi Prefecture on the Sea of Japan side. It also inhabits the waters of the Korean Peninsula, the Russian Maritime Province, and northern China. An omnivore that feeds chiefly on seaweed such as kelp, it has a lifespan of roughly 6 to 10 years.

The edible part is the gonad, and it stands out for its landing volume even among domestic sea urchins. Because the breeding season shifts within the range of May to October by sea area, it circulates in a nearly year-round fashion. Hokkaido is the core of production, but imports from South Korea and Russia also circulate. At sushi restaurants, the gunkan roll is the classic way to serve it. Individuals that feed on seaweed such as naga-konbu kelp and aosa tend to develop deeper flavor, and the concentrated sweetness and aroma of the sea are its great appeal. It is also widely enjoyed as processed products such as salted uni and steamed uni.