Komo Gway oyster illustration
Beginner Friendly Canada West Coast Researched

Komo Gway

Crassostrea gigas

Beach-grown Pacific oyster from Baynes Sound on Vancouver Island. Clean, briny flavor with firm texture, subtle cucumber notes, and a slightly sweet finish. Harvested from the traditional territory of the K'ómoks First Nation.

Brininess
Size Medium
Shell deep cupped

Flavor Profile

Brininess 3/5
Sweetness 3/5
Minerality 2/5
Creaminess 3/5

Primary Flavors

Finish

Slightly sweet with crisp cucumber notes

Expert Notes

Komo Gway oysters showcase the pristine waters of Baynes Sound with a bright, clean flavor that pops on the tongue. Beach-grown in the nutrient-rich intertidal zones of the K'ómoks First Nation territory, these Pacific oysters develop firm flesh and a refreshing briny taste with subtle cucumber notes. The balanced salinity (28-30 ppt) and year-round cultivation create a well-rounded oyster with natural sweetness and a crisp finish that needs no mignonette.

Origin & Characteristics

Species
Crassostrea gigas
Native to
Japan
Grown in
Baynes Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, K'ómoks First Nation Territory, Comox Valley
Size
Medium (2.5-3.5 inches)
Shell Color
Gray with natural ruffled edges
Meat Color
Cream to light gray

Perfect Pairings

Best Seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring

What Experts Say

Across 5 sources, tasters describe this oyster as:

Unique notes: bright flavor that pops, crisp

"Plump, with a clean, crisp, slight cucumber flavor."

cleancrispcucumber

"Excellent BC representative, lots of bright flavor that pops on the tongue as if it already has mignonette."

bright

"Firm texture with a briny taste, subtle cucumber flavor, and slightly sweet finish."

firmbrinycucumbersweet

"Known for their clean, briny flavor and firm texture."

cleanbrinyfirm

"Plump ivory flesh with a deeply colored gill and golden mantel. The best premium beach oyster from British Columbia."

plump

About the Farm

Pentlatch Seafoods Ltd.

A company wholly owned by the K'ómoks First Nation, Pentlatch Seafoods produces Komo Gway Oysters within their traditional territory in Baynes Sound, British Columbia.

Cultivation Method
bottom culture
Visit Farm Website →

History & Background

The K'ómoks First Nation derived the name 'Komo Gway' from their god of the underworld, also known as 'Ruler of the Undersea,' symbolizing the deep cultural significance of these oysters to the indigenous people of the region.

Pentlatch Seafoods honors the Legend of Komo Gway by ensuring the sustainability of the sea and its creatures through an Environmental Stewardship Program with the mission statement 'CLEAN WATER Our Responsibility, Our Legacy,' which ensures sustainability of resources and their legacy to future generations.

Did You Know?

  • Named after the K'ómoks First Nation's mythical god who controls the tides
  • Recognized as the best premium beach oyster from British Columbia
  • The company seeds millions of Manila Clams and Pacific Oysters annually on their beaches

Sources & References

This information was compiled from 5 sources.

  1. Komo Gway Oysters Rockefeller - Taste With The Eyes — tastewiththeeyes.com
  2. Komo Gway Oysters - Chefs Resources — chefs-resources.com
  3. Komo Gway Oyster - Oysterater — oysterater.com
  4. Baynes Sound Oysters - The Oyster Encyclopedia — oysterencyclopedia.com
  5. Island Artisans – Pacific Kiss Oysters - Don Genova's Blog — blog.dongenova.com