Sea Urchin For Sale: Export Quality Uni Delivered to Your Door
Need quality sea urchin for sale that is sustainably harvested and deliverable anywhere in the world? Whether you run a sushi restaurant in New York, a fish deli in London, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo, or a gourmet shop in Lagos—you need to receive sea urchin (uni) that is freshly caught, delicious, and shipped under the best of conditions.
At [Your Company Name], we have as our mission to sell the highest quality sea urchins—live, chilled, fresh, or frozen—and ship them anywhere in the globe. In this guide we will walk you through everything you’ll want to know to shop with confidence: sourcing, grading, shipping, pricing, ordering, and more.
What Is Sea Urchin (& Why It’s So Coveted)
Understanding What You’re Buying
Sea urchin for sale are prickly sea creatures; what everyone actually wants, however, is the inside roe / gonads—typically just called uni in Japanese cuisine. The roe is buttery‑creamy textured, highly umami flavored, sometimes with sugary, salty undertones. Texture, color, and freshness all matter.
Not all sea urchins are created equal. Different species, places, seasons, and treatment make a tremendous difference in taste and color. Some contain large golden roe; others are smaller in color or texture. Some species taste more strongly of “sea,” some less. Buyers need good information.
Cultural & Culinary Value
Uni is a sushi and high-end seafood delicacy worldwide. In Japan, it’s gold-treated. On haute cuisine and seafood platters in Europe and North America, it’s trending that way. Chefs like the flavor and texture when fresh; wholesalers and retailers like preserved and frozen forms that retain the best.
Market Demand & Sustainability
As a result of over-harvesting, global warming, and habitat degradation, many sea urchin stocks face danger. Controlled farming (where possible), traceability, and environmentally friendly harvesting are increasingly becoming the norm. Consumers are wiser today: they are concerned where their uni came from, how it is treated, and whether the supply chain is eco-friendly.
Law in the majority of countries today requires certificates of health, import permits, and safe/ethical harvesting certificates. That’s only some of what you can look forward to when buying “sea urchin for sale” from a legitimate dealer.
Types & Product Forms: What Format is Best for You?
When you buy sea urchin for sale, you’ll be able to find various product formats. The best one will depend on your use-case, budget, location, and how quick you need the product.
Product Form | Advantages | Disadvantages | Best For |
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Live whole sea urchin | Freshness at its best; roe selected just before use; maximum flavor impact | Expensive to ship; most vulnerable to loss; shortest shelf life; specialty packaging needed | Upscale sushi houses, chefs who want freshest uni available; consumers near ports or with excellent cold-chain facilities |
Fresh / chilled (non‑live) | Lower risk than live; still high quality; good flavor and texture | Shorter shelf life; must be kept refrigerated; transit time needs to be short | Restaurants or shops near main air routes; consumers who like fresh uni but will accept quickly |
Frozen uni / frozen roe / frozen whole | Less perishage in long-distance shipping; longer shelf life; expense over larger quantities | Will be texture-damaged if thawed poorly; more complex packaging; possibly more expensive overall for quality frozen | Exporters, distributors, gourmet online retailers, overseas restaurants away from production location |
Vacuum-packing / processing uni | Ready to eat; less work for consumer; consistent portions; retail quality | Requires highly cautious freezing or refrigeration; flavor can deteriorate if packaging is not optimal; price premium | Retail trade; catering; food-service purchasers looking for consistent product |
Shells/tests (non-food) | Aesthetic, research, educational purposes | Not food; several legal/import restrictions; lower value | Aesthetic, educational, display markets |
Our Sourcing & Quality: How We Guarantee Premium Standards
When you purchase “sea urchin for sale” from us, you’re not just receiving the product—you’re receiving decades of expertise in working with seafood and an uncompromising level of quality.
Species & Harvesting Locations
We harvest from seasoned sea urchin dense locations with good quality water, sustainable harvesting, and good reputation. Some include:
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Coastal Japan (for highest-grade uni)
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Chile and Peru (teeming cold-water urchin roe)
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Locations in Europe such as Portugal, Spain, Mediterranean coast
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North America (Pacific coasts) where regulations and sustainable practice hold sway
We select species for excellent roe production, excellent texture, flavor, and market value. We do not choose stocks of extreme off flavors or low grading quality.
Harvesting & Timing
Timing of harvest is critical. Sea urchin gonads are largest and best flavored at certain times of year; harvesting after spawning ensures maximum quality. We collaborate with harvesters to harvest at the optimal times. After harvesting:
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Gonads are inspected; off color or low grade are rejected
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In case of live urchins, they are kept in proper seawater until packaging
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In case of fresh / chilled, urchins are immediately processed to avoid deterioration
Processing, Handling & Grading
We strictly observe food safety practices:
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HACCP principles, regular inspections
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Sanitary handling, clean water systems, controlled atmosphere
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Size, color, texture, flavor grading
Grading criteria include:
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Color (bright gold / orange / yellow as required in most markets)
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Firmness / texture: Not soft; light spring
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Sweetness / brininess in balance, not bitter or ammonia off-flavour
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Uniformity: Packets or pieces that are uniform and desirable
Packaging & Preservation
In order to maintain freshness, flavour, and texture, we use high-quality packaging:
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Vacuum isolation for roe / uni packs
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Insulated containers, gel or dry ice (where necessary)
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Cold chain monitoring (temperature recorders)
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Packing methods that do not involve physical damage
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For frozen foods: flash or blast freeze to reduce ice crystal damage.
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For live: package to ensure good record of water quality, oxygen, temperature stable.
Global Shipping & Logistics: How We Make “Sea Urchin For Sale” Truly Worldwide
Saying “sea urchin for sale” is easy enough. The test is how you can get it where you are, in optimal condition. We’ve set the systems to do exactly that.
Compliance with Import / Export Laws
Every country has its own regulations on the importation of seafood: health certificates, licenses, customs forms, tariff classifications, sometimes quotas or prohibitions. We handle all that. Pre-shipping:
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Verify your country’s import laws on sea urchin / uni
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File required paperwork: sanitary / health certificates, safe harvest, species identification, origin
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Where required, assist with permits or customs brokers
Cold Chain & Temperature Control
The right temperature is critical:
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For live: good water temperature; aeration; quick transit
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For chilled: keep near 0°C but above 0; ice packs; insulated packaging
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For frozen: store at ‑18°C or lower; not freeze; monitor using loggers
We have contacts with cold storage facilities near airports / seaports to minimize time out of ideal conditions.
Carrier Partnerships & Transit Speed
Speed is necessary to ship internationally. We have contacts with:
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Express air freight specialists who provide cold-chain solutions
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Local cold storage and last-mile delivery partners
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Freight forwarders who have experience with perishable commodities
Depending on destination, we plan our routes to ensure delay is minimal, slow down customs, or weekend delays are avoided.
Handling Customs & Import Duties
We help you estimate import duties or tariffs, and work out the numbers for you so that you know in advance. We also deliver all the right documentation so that customs clearance is as hassle-free as possible.
Pricing: What You Pay & What Factors Determine Cost
Understand price helps you get good value. Several factors influence price for sea urchin for sale.
Principal Determinants of Price
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Product form — live is most expensive, then chilled/fresh, then frozen, then processed uni.
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Type and quality — superior type or higher color/texture are more expensive.
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Quantity — the larger the order, the more fixed costs (shipping, packaging) are spread out.
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Distance & location — distant locations have higher transport, customs, and time.
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Packaging & handling — specialized packaging, temperature control, expedited handling cost more.
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Seasonality — off‑season may have lower supply and higher cost.
Typical Price Ranges
While actual figures depend significantly on your product, here are estimated ranges (USD) for reference:
Product Type | Retail / Wholesale Price Range* |
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Live whole sea urchin | $8-$20 per piece or more based on size and species |
Fresh / chilled roe (premium grade) | $70-$120 per lb (or equivalent per kg) for high end |
Frozen uni (good grade) | $50-$90/lb, depending on species and quality |
Vacuum‑packed portions | Varying prices dependent on pack weight, however premium surcharge for vacuum and frozen stability |
*Estimated figures; shipping, local duties, and handling will be added to final landed cost.
How We Price Our Shipments
We practice transparency. When you receive a quotation from us, it will cover:
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Product cost (grade, species, and weight)
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Packaging cost (cold‑chain packaging, insulation, vacuum sealing, etc.)
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Shipping / transport to your destination
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Customs forms, export licenses, any import or export charges
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Insurance (where needed)
We also offer repeat customer and bulk order discounts. And if you’re unsure how to budget, we can quote so you will know total landed cost before buying.
How to Buy Sea Urchin For Sale From Us
We’ve streamlined ordering, making it easy, simple, and safe for foreign customers.
Order Process Steps
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Initial inquiry
Tell us: product size (live, fresh, frozen, uni packs), species preference (if any), desired quality, quantity, and your delivery location (city, country). -
Quotation
We give you an accurate quote with all the charges: product + packing + shipping + customs + estimated delivery time. -
Confirmation & Payment
Once a quote is accepted, you pay a deposit (30-50%) or advance payment depending on order quantity. Payment can be bank transfer, online payment gateway, or other terms as agreed. -
Processing, packing & shipping
Harvesting (if required), grading, packing, documentation. Followed by shipping via cold-chain logistics. -
Delivery & inspection
You receive the shipment, inspect for temperature, condition, quality. On finding defects, we have a process for reporting and issuing replacements/compensation. -
Final settlement & feedback
Upon confirmation of all, final payment (in case of balance) is done. Your feedback—quality, service, packaging—is gathered to make alterations in future shipments.
Minimums & Sample Orders
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) usually depends upon product form and distance. Live shipments especially require larger minimums.
For the majority of destinations, test quality can be fitted with small / sample orders so you can check before committing to volume. These have higher per-unit shipping cost but are a good fit for validation.
Lead Times & Delivery Estimates
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For live / fresh shipments: typically 2-5 business days from dispatch to receipt, depending on destination and customs.
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For frozen or vacuum-packed uni: 4-10 business days for most overseas shipments (carrier dependent).
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For bulk or sea freight: 10‑20+ days (albeit can save per kg cost for very large orders).
We always supply estimated delivery windows with your quote, and advise you if delays.
Worldwide Shipping: Normal Concerns
When buying sea urchin for sale and shipping overseas, there are a few normal concerns. We address them upfront so you know what you are getting yourself into.
Freshness & Quality Upon Arrival
Concern: Will my product thaw or spoil en route?
What we do:
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Temperature loggers and sealing to remain frozen
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Ice or gel packs for frozen orders
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Rapid transit and trusted couriers
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Insurance shipping
Should something arrive off-temp or compromised, we ask that you send photos, temperature reading (if provided), and we’ll collaborate on resolution with you.
Customs Delays & Regulatory Hurdles
Concern: My shipment is going to be held up at customs, destroying the product.
What we do:
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Supply complete and correct documentation (export/import papers, health certificates)
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Use courier services specializing in perishables and customs clearance
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Offer support for your local import regulations
Costs / Duties & Import Taxes
Issue: Extra taxes or fees can add to cost.
What we do:
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Estimate customs duty/taxes in quote wherever practicable
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Detail what paper is needed to avoid surprises
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Help with accurate paperwork reception
Shipping Costs & Minimum Order Trade-off
Concern: Shipping may be more than the product for small orders.
What we do:
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Offer sample-size or small-batch options, with open pricing
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Recommend “group orders” for multiple buyers in same location or consolidations if possible
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Offer frozen or vacuum-packed alternatives if live/fresh are not affordable in your area
Common Questions & Myths (FAQ Section)
Q: How good is frozen sea urchin versus fresh?
A: High-quality frozen uni, if flash-frozen and well-handled, can retain much of the taste, smell, texture. You can give up a tiny bit in texture to the mouth compared to live, but for most consumers the convenience and value of frozen is more than fine.
Q: How do I know whether the live sea urchin will ship?
A: We use special packing, minimum handling, rapid transit paths, and professional couriers. However, sea urchins are sensitive to be transported alive; we recommend buyers to provide cold-chain facilities and be willing to take some risk, which we reduce as much as possible.
Q: How do I store sea urchin after delivery?
A:
For live: in clean cool sea water, protected from the sun; use within 1‑2 days.
For fresh / chilled: store marginally above freezing; use at once, ideally within 2‑3 days.
For frozen: keep continuously frozen; thaw slowly before using; use immediately upon thawing.
Q: Is international shipping of sea urchin a cost too high for small restaurants to endure?
A: Yes, especially if ordering with others, or ordering frozen / vacuum-packed, or taking preliminary sample batches first. Bulk or regular orders reduce per-kg shipping costs.
Q: Is sea urchin safe to use raw?
A: As long as they are handled correctly, yes. We have hygiene, health certification, and most importantly freshness. But local health authority regulations differ; always ensure you comply with local food-safety legislation.
Q: How far does sustainability impact your sourcing?
A: We source from harvesters and fisheries that fish within the legal quota; we do not use endangered stocks; we encourage regeneration where we can; we trace origin and only accept suppliers with environmental and ethical credentials.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Buying Experience
These are best practices so when you buy sea urchin for sale, you have best value, best risk, and best satisfaction.
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Plan ahead: Expect seasonal fluctuations in price or shipping issues in poor weather or holidays. Purchase in advance of peak demand if possible.
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Sample first: When new to a source, begin with small amounts so you can sample freshness, taste, customer feedback.
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Understand regulations in your destination: Get advice from local food authorities, be prepared to have refrigeration, review import papers.
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Manage storage: Upon receiving product, inspect temperature; for frozen, store at ≤ ‑18°C; maintain packaging integrity.
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Report problems immediately: If there’s something amiss, record with photos, temperatures noted, report immediately. Good suppliers will cooperate.
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Set up long‑term relationship: Regular orders usually offer better prices, preferential treatment, species or grades customized for your requirements.
Why Choose Us: What Sets Us Apart As Your Best Choice For “Sea Urchin For Sale”
These are the reasons why people buy from us when they Google “sea urchin for sale” and find our website.
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Worldwide fulfillment — We don’t limit ourselves to local markets. From Europe to Asia to Africa to the Americas, we ship globally.
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Full-service supply chain — From field to your plate, we handle sourcing, packing, shipping, documentation.
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Quality & grading guarantee — Best batches only; strict inspection.
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Price transparency & cost breakdown — No shocks, we quote shipping, customs, duties, packaging.
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Exceptional customer care — We guide you through orders, import laws, fault‑finding.
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Seafood logistics knowledge — Expert packaging, cold chain, certified partners.
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Ethical & sustainable sourcing — We treat the environment with respect so that supply is secure long‑term.
SEO & Content Strategy: So That People Can Find “Sea Urchin For Sale” — And Stick Around
In order to rank for your target keyword (“sea urchin for sale”) and keyword variations, don’t miss these best practices:
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Place the keyword “sea urchin for sale” in your page title, in the main heading (H1), and in some sub‑headings.
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Add long-tail variants and synonyms: “sea urchin purchase online”, “sea urchin exported worldwide”, “fresh sea urchin wholesaler”, “premium uni for sale”.
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Internal linking: Link to pages such as “sea urchin guide to species”, “uni recipes”, “country by country seafood import regulations”, “sustainability in seafood”.
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Include images: of sea urchins (live, packed, frozen, uni presentation), with alt text such as “fresh uni vacuum pack”, “live sea urchins caught”, etc.
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Use schema markup if possible (product, reviews) so search engines understand price, availability, shipping.
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Earn backlinks: seafood blogs, agricultural / oceanic sustainability sites, chef magazines, restaurants.
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Keep content updated: prices, shipping routes, regulations change over time—refresh periodically.
Countries We Ship To Include:
- Europe
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Italy
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Japan
- North America
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And many more….
Summing Up: Your Global Sea Urchin Supplier
If you’re searching for sea urchin for sale and want a supplier who delivers quality and reliability—worldwide—then [Your Company Name] is built exactly for that.
We’ve covered:
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What sea urchin / uni actually is, and why quality matters
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The different forms that products come in (live, fresh, frozen, uni packs) and potentially which might be the best for you
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How we source, process, package, and quality check
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How we price and what determines the cost
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The process of ordering, sample / small batch availability, and how we send abroad
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Common issues (freshness, customs, storage) and how we overcome them
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What separates us as a good partner to work with
Ready to order or get a quote?
Please call us with your location, how much you need, and your product options. We’ll send you a proposal with transparent pricing and shipping schedule—so you can enjoy the best‑quality sea urchin wherever you are.
Sophie L. – Home Cook, Vancouver, Canada –
First time buying sea urchin online, and I’m impressed by the freshness and taste. Will definitely order again.
Maria S. – Seafood Market Owner, Manila, Philippines –
Our customers love the rich taste and creamy texture of these sea urchins. Always fresh and consistently high quality