Prawn and crab
Kuruma prawn (Kuruma ebi)
【Nigiri sushi: Ebi/Kani】
According to the history of customs during the Edo period, “The name Kuruma ebi (Kuruma means ‘wheel’) was given because it turns a bright red and bends into the shape of a wheel when boiled.” The Kuruma ebi--which has spent decades of being served as common Japanese cuisine--is native to the inner bays from southern Hokkaido southward, but finding wild Kuruma ebi is rare. The season for the wild version is Summer.
The Japanese name of the Kuruma ebi changes depending on the size. When the body length is about 10cm it is called ‘Saimaki’, at 15cm it’s called ‘maki’, ‘Kuruma’ at 20cm, and ‘Ooguruma’ for anything bigger. Saimaki is just the right size to eat in one bite, so this is generally what is used for nigiri sushi.