【Reading】Shrimp

【English Name】Shrimp / Prawn (Ebi)

Ebi (shrimp/prawn) is a general term for decapod crustaceans excluding crabs and hermit crabs, and is a popular sushi topping. The representative kinds are kuruma-ebi (Japanese tiger prawn), ama-ebi (sweet shrimp), and botan-ebi (spot prawn), served both boiled and raw. Boiling and serving kuruma-ebi as nigiri is the Edomae tradition, as heating brings out its red-and-white color and refined sweetness. Ama-ebi and botan-ebi are served raw as nigiri, characterized by their melting texture and rich sweetness. In English, small ones are called shrimp and large ones prawn. They are rich in protein and low in fat, and also contain taurine, calcium, and umami amino acids. The kanji "海老" (literally "sea" + "old man") derives from likening the shrimp to an elderly person, and it is regarded as a lucky charm and a symbol of longevity.