Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas
Native range: Coastal waters of Japan and northeast Asia (now farmed worldwide)
Also known as: Japanese Oyster, Miyagi Oyster, Gigas
The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is native to the coastal waters of Japan and northeast Asia and is now the most widely farmed oyster in the world. Introduced to the U.S. Pacific Northwest, France, Australia, and beyond in the twentieth century, it thrives across a broad range of conditions and grows quickly, which is part of why it spread so far. Its shell is deeply cupped, heavily fluted, and often ruffled with sharp, frilly layers, ranging in color from cream and gray to purples and greens. The meat is plump and the flavor tends to be sweeter and milder than the Eastern oyster, with a creamy texture and distinctive notes of cucumber, melon, and sometimes a faintly fruity or vegetal finish. Cold, nutrient-rich Pacific Northwest waters in particular produce crisp, refreshing examples that have won a devoted following. For people who find briny Atlantic oysters too intense, the Pacific oyster's gentler salinity and sweet, full character are often a revelation.
102 oysters of this species
Bald Point
US West CoastSmall, beach-cultured Pacific oyster from Hood Canal, Washington. Low brininess with a sweet, delicate flavor and distinctive musky finish. Hardy shells from intertidal cultivation.
Barron Point
US West CoastHand-sized Pacific oyster from Little Skookum Inlet in southern Puget Sound. Sweet and mildly salty with plump, tender meat and a distinctive musky finish. A well-balanced West Coast favorite.
Baynes Sound
British ColumbiaTray-raised and beach-hardened oyster from British Columbia's productive Baynes Sound. Medium salty with a clean, refreshing cucumber finish and balanced mineral sweetness. The archetypal BC oyster.
Baywater Sweet
US West CoastBoutique Pacific oyster from Thorndyke Bay in Hood Canal, Washington. Deep-cupped with exceptionally sweet flavor balanced by high brininess and a rich umami finish. Tumbled in tides, producing strong shells and full meat.
Beach Angel
Canada West CoastBeach-grown Pacific oyster from Cortes Island, BC. Firm and sweet with robust briny flavor, featuring distinctive notes of cucumber, grass, and melon rind. Crisp and ocean-fresh.
Black Pearl
British ColumbiaSmall Pacific oyster with distinctive smooth, dark purple-black shells. Tumbled cultivation produces delicate, deep-cupped shells with mild, buttery meat and a clean nori finish.
Blue Pool
US West CoastTumbled Pacific oyster from Hood Canal's Hamma Hama River. Deep-cupped with smooth shells, featuring a creamy, crunchy texture and complex flavor profile of cucumber, crisp brine, and a distinctive sweet-vegetal finish.
Buckley Bay
Canada West CoastA premium Pacific oyster from Baynes Sound, British Columbia. Tray-raised and beach-hardened for firm meats and strong shells. Balanced brininess with distinctive melon and cucumber finish.
Calm Cove
US West CoastBeach-grown Pacific oyster from Washington's Totten Inlet and Hood Canal. Sweet and creamy with balanced brininess and a clean mineral finish. Cultivated by the Fagergren Family since 1946 in the nutrient-rich waters of South Puget Sound.
Carlsbad Blonde
US West CoastSouthern California's signature oyster from Carlsbad's Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Grown in suspended culture with distinctive glassy, striped shells. Strongly briny with refreshing melon and cucumber notes, balanced between briny and sweet.
Chef's Creek
Canada West CoastA quintessential British Columbia oyster from Baynes Sound. Tray-suspended for 12-18 months, developing deep cups and full meats. High brininess with creamy texture, finishing sweet with hints of melon and lettuce.
Chelsea Gem
US West CoastThe original tide-tumbled oyster from Eld Inlet's pristine waters. Deep-cupped with plump meats, mild brininess, silky creamy texture, and a signature sweet cucumber finish. A true Pacific Northwest gem.
Cold Creek
US West CoastCultivated Pacific oyster from Southern Puget Sound with plump, sweet meat and midsized white-and-black shells. Balanced brininess with a distinctive salty-melon finish reminiscent of a New England clambake.
Coromandel
New ZealandLarge, plump Pacific oyster from New Zealand's Coromandel Peninsula. Distinctively sweet and salty with a pronounced watermelon-like tropical fruit finish. Firm texture and bold flavor.
Dabob Bay
US West CoastIntertidal beach-grown Pacific oyster from the pristine waters of Hood Canal's Dabob Bay. Light and crisp with pronounced brininess from slow growth in cold, nutrient-limited waters. Firm meat with a clean, sweet finish.
Deep Bay
British ColumbiaA sweet, plump Pacific oyster from Vancouver Island's Deep Bay. Cultivated using bag-to-beach methods for consistent deep cups. Features mild brininess with a distinctive light watermelon finish and ultra-clean taste.
Deer Creek
US West CoastIntertidal beach-cultivated Pacific oyster from South Hood Canal, Washington. Deep-cupped with full meats, crisp brininess, and a distinctive sweet melon finish with mild mineral notes.
Denman Island
British ColumbiaClean, delicate Pacific oyster from Baynes Sound, BC. Sweet and balanced with moderate brine, firm texture, and a distinctive cucumber finish with hints of watermelon.
Dosewallips
US West CoastBeach-grown Pacific oyster from central Hood Canal where the Dosewallips River meets the sea. Sweet and cucumbery with a creamy texture, balanced brininess, and a light, clean finish.
Drakes Bay
US West CoastHistoric Pacific oyster from Drake's Estero in Point Reyes National Seashore. Intensely briny with earthy, mushroomy notes and bitter herb finish. Bottom cage cultured in pristine waters until farm closure in 2012.
Drayton Harbor
US West CoastSweet, artisan-cultured Pacific oysters from northern Puget Sound's community farm. Plump meat with low brininess and a clean, savory finish. Not sold commercially—visit the farm in Washington State.
Eagle Rock
US West CoastClassic Totten Inlet oyster from South Puget Sound. Bag-to-beach cultivated for creamy, sweet meat with high brininess and the distinctive nori finish that defines the region. Saltier than most South Sound varieties.
Effingham Inlet
British ColumbiaPremium Pacific oyster from a pristine deep-water fjord in Barkley Sound, BC. Tray-suspended and tumbled for uniform deep cups. Plump, cream-colored meat with vibrant brine, natural sweetness, and a smooth watermelon-lettuce finish.
Eld Inlet
US West CoastA legendary Southern Puget Sound oyster known for exceptional sweetness and rich, buttery texture. Plump creamy-yellow meats with low salinity, watermelon rind notes, and the distinctive full-bodied South Sound character.
Elkhorn
US West CoastBeach-grown Pacific oyster from Washington's Willapa Bay. Firm and meaty with intense, robust flavor featuring high brininess, natural sweetness, and a distinctive mineral-melon finish.
Emerald Cove
British ColumbiaA suspended tray-cultured Pacific oyster from Denman Island, BC. Medium salinity with full, plump, creamy meats, clean mild flavor, and a distinctive cucumber finish. Beautiful green pearlescent shells.
Evening Cove
British ColumbiaBeach cultured Pacific oyster from Vancouver Island's Evening Cove. Features firm meats with a clean, mildly briny flavor and distinctive watermelon finish. Beautiful fluted shells make for elegant presentations.
Fanny Bay
British ColumbiaThe archetypal BC oyster. Smooth and balanced with sweet, buttery notes and a signature crisp cucumber finish.
Fat Bastard
US West CoastThe largest of Taylor Shellfish's tide-tumbled Pacific oysters from Washington State. Bold, briny, and savory with a sweet finish, plump texture, and deep cups filled with generous liquor.
Fine de Claire
FranceFrance's distinguished standard. Finished in salt ponds for sweet, fruity notes with a buttery texture and precise, briny finish.
French Hog
US West CoastA large, buttery Pacific oyster from Tomales Bay, California. Mild and refined with distinctive cucumber and melon notes. Farmed using traditional French rack and bag methods.
Gigamoto
British ColumbiaA petite farm-raised Pacific oyster from Deep Bay, British Columbia. Small and delicate with balanced brine and sweetness, finishing with distinctive slightly smoky, vegetable-like notes.
Gillardeau
FranceThe luxury standard. Exceptionally plump and creamy with intense minerality, sweet nuttiness, and refined balance from France's legendary fourth-generation oyster dynasty.
Glacier Point
US West CoastAlaskan oyster from Kachemak Bay's glacier-fed waters. Intensely briny and umami-rich with distinctive salinity and thick shell. Less cucumbery than typical Pacifics, with a unique 'touch of king salmon' flavor.
Gold Creek
US West CoastClassic Pacific Northwest oyster from southern Hood Canal. Beach-grown on rocky shores with full cups, firm meat, and a bright, briny flavor with a mild, clean finish.
Golden Nugget
US West CoastA rare tumbled cocktail oyster from Tomales Bay's north shore. Small and deep-cupped with plump ivory meat, delivering high brine that mellows into a rich, buttery finish with hints of melon and cucumber.
Goose Point
US West CoastSmall, plump Pacific oysters from Willapa Bay, Washington. Known for their intensely creamy, bacon-fat flavor with light salinity and a clean seaweed finish. Thick shells protect remarkably meaty interiors.
Grassy Bar
US West CoastHand-cultivated Pacific oyster from Morro Bay's high-energy estuary. Deeply briny with crisp sweetness and distinctive cucumber and wet-stone minerality. Entirely grown in Southern-Central California from seed to harvest.
Hama Hama
US West CoastClassic Pacific Northwest oyster with delicately sweet flesh and herbaceous notes. Lichen-green shells with a distinctive watermelon-rind flavor profile.
Hammersley Inlet
US West CoastBeach-grown Pacific oyster from South Puget Sound's Hammersley Inlet. Plump and sweet with mild saltiness, rich body, and a distinctive cucumber-melon finish. Grown in nutrient-dense waters for excellent meat-to-shell ratio.
Hawk's Point
US West CoastA large Pacific oyster from pristine Willapa Bay, Washington. Rack and bag cultivated with mild brininess, delicate floral notes, and a crisp citrus finish. Substantial, meaty texture with a clean aftertaste.
Henderson Inlet
US West CoastA community-farmed Puget Sound oyster from a restored watershed. Small and plump with sweet, buttery meat, light salinity, and a distinctive cucumber-earthy finish. All proceeds support water quality restoration.
Hog Island Cliffside
US West CoastLarge, deeply cupped Pacific oyster from Discovery Bay, Washington. Intensely briny with herbaceous spinach/kale notes and a distinctive umami finish reminiscent of aged beef or dried nori. Complex and bold.
Hog Island Sweetwater
US West CoastThe signature California oyster from Tomales Bay. Rich and sweet with creamy, buttery texture, balanced brine, and a slightly smoky finish.
Humboldt Gold
US West CoastIntertidal beach-cultured Pacific oyster from Humboldt Bay, Northern California. Full, plump meats with medium brininess, buttery sweetness, and a clean cucumber finish. Excellent for both beginners and connoisseurs.
Imperial Eagle Channel
British ColumbiaBeach-cultured Pacific oyster from Barkley Sound on Vancouver Island's wild west coast. Deep-cupped and plump with high brininess balanced by natural sweetness, finishing with distinctive cucumber and watermelon-rind notes.
Judd Cove
US West CoastA mild, sweet Pacific oyster from Orcas Island in Washington's San Juan Islands. Features beautiful purple and green swirled shells, creamy white meat with a distinctive black mantle, and a clean vegetal flavor with minimal salinity. Highly sought after by discerning Seattle chefs.
Kachemak Bay
US West CoastSlow-growing Pacific oyster from Alaska's glacial Kachemak Bay waters. More briny and umami-forward than typical Pacifics, with crisp texture, cucumber-melon notes, and a clean vegetal finish with hints of nori and green tea.
Kelly Gigas
IrelandPacific oyster farmed by the famed Kelly family in Galway Bay's mineral-rich waters. Exceptionally creamy with mild brine, grassy cucumber notes, and stunning purple-striped shells with pure white meat.
Komo Gway
Canada West CoastBeach-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'Ăłmoks First Nation.
Kusshi
British ColumbiaThe 'ultimate' tumbled oyster. Intensively shaped in mechanical drums to create a smooth, purple-black shell with an exceptionally deep cup and pillowy meat. Clean, delicate flavor with mild brininess.
Little Skookum
US West CoastA sweet, musky Pacific oyster from Little Skookum Inlet in South Puget Sound. Deep-cupped with plump, buttery meat, mild brininess, and distinctive melon-scented sweetness with a clean vegetable finish.
Malaspina
British ColumbiaHardy beach-grown Pacific oyster from Malaspina Inlet, Vancouver Island. Firm and plump with a crisp, briny flavor and distinctive cucumber-like finish. Rugged shells and dark mantle from extreme tidal conditioning.
Marenne
FranceA refined French oyster from the famous Marennes-Oléron basin. Mild, sweet, and creamy with a subtle nutty flavor and firm texture.
Marina's Top Drawer
Canada West CoastDeepwater suspended-tray oyster from Cortes Island, BC. Exceptionally clean and slightly sweet with subtle brininess. Features a distinctive frilly, black-and-purple shell with delicate, refined flavor.
Miyagi
US West CoastA Pacific Northwest favorite with Japanese heritage. Full-bodied and meaty with a crisp, nutty flavor, mild brine, and balanced fruit and vegetal notes.
Naked Roy's Beach
US West CoastSuspension-grown Pacific oyster from Samish Bay, Washington. Rich and fruity with hints of rhubarb and sweet notes, balanced by medium brininess. Named after a local character known for perfecting his tan on the beach.
Netarts Bay
US West CoastBeach-cultured Pacific oyster from pristine Netarts Bay in Northern Oregon. Strong, tongue-coating flavor with metallic notes, sweet cucumber finish, and distinctive black mantle line. Colorful shells and soft texture.
Nootka Sound
British ColumbiaRemote intertidal beach-farmed oyster from the fjords of West Vancouver Island. Art-deco striped shells in pink, purple, and green. Complex flavor with high brininess, nori sweetness, hints of muskmelon and raw milk, finishing with anise.
Okeover
British ColumbiaSweet, balanced Pacific oyster from Okeover Inlet in Desolation Sound, BC. Fresh crisp sweetness with light-salty brine and a clean finish. Grown in nutrient-rich waters with distinctive deep shells.
Otter Cove
US West CoastWild-harvested Pacific oyster from Discovery Bay, Washington. Meaty and firm with crisp, briny flavor, mild tanginess, and fresh seaweed notes from continuous feeding in protected rack waters.
Oysterville Select
US West CoastFarm-raised Pacific oyster from Willapa Bay, Washington. Known for their smooth texture, deep cup, and delicate balance of brine and sweetness with a clean, crisp finish from pristine West Coast waters.
Pacific Gold
US West CoastSuspension-raised Pacific oyster from Discovery Bay, Washington and Morro Bay, California. Large, sweet, and mild with firm meats, lovely fluted shells, and a fresh, crisp finish.
Pearl Bay
US West CoastA tumbled Pacific oyster from Willapa Bay, Washington. Small, dark-shelled, and smooth with firm, tender meat. Balanced brininess with a buttery texture and distinctive nori finish.
Pebble Cove
US West CoastA responsibly farmed Pacific oyster from northern Puget Sound's Admiralty Inlet. Medium-large with firm, crisp meats, balanced brininess, and a distinctly sweet, refreshing finish with melon notes.
Penn Cove
US West CoastThe definitive Pacific oyster. Firm, briny meats with bright cucumber and umami notes, finished clean and steely.
Penn Cove Select
US West CoastThe definitive Pacific Northwest oyster with stunning black and purple shells. Beach-raised in Samish Bay and finished in Penn Cove, these award-winning oysters deliver firm meats, bright brininess, and a distinctive crisp cucumber finish.
Phantom Creek
British ColumbiaA mild, sweet Pacific oyster from Cortes Island, BC. Grown using a unique suspension-to-beach method for firmer meats and stronger shells. Clean finish with delicate brininess.
Pickering Passage
US West CoastA Pacific Northwest oyster from southern Puget Sound's nutrient-rich waters. Medium to large with tender, plump meats. Mild brine balanced with sweet richness and a crisp finish of melon and cucumber.
Quadra Island
British ColumbiaSmall, cocktail-sized Pacific oysters from Desolation Sound, British Columbia. Tray-grown with delicate, artfully ridged shells. Light and sweet with green apple candy notes and a subtle tarragon finish.
Quilcene
US West CoastBeach-grown Pacific oyster from Quilcene Bay in Hood Canal, Washington. Clean and mild with balanced brininess, delicate sweetness, and a fresh finish. Variable size with firm meats and rugged shells.
Rainier
US West CoastLarge beach-grown Pacific oyster from South Puget Sound. Known as the 'big bad boys' of Puget Sound with plump, full meats, buttery creamy texture, light brininess and sweet flavor. Perfect for grilling or raw.
Read Island
British ColumbiaExtra-small tray-grown Pacific oyster from British Columbia's Discovery Islands. Mild and fresh with a sweet finish and delicate shells. Deep-cupped with clean, refined flavor perfect for raw service.
Royal Courtesan
British ColumbiaBeach-raised Pacific oyster from Cortes Island, BC. Bold, briny, and metallic with robust mineral intensity and a strong, clean finish. Cultivated by renowned oyster farmer Brent Petkau.
Royal Miyagi
US West Coast & British ColumbiaA rare Pacific Northwest oyster with distinctive sweet creaminess and unique kiwi-like finish. Cultivated on suspended lines then beach-finished for exceptional smoothness and plump texture.
Salish Sea
US West CoastCold-water Pacific oyster from the inland waters of Washington and British Columbia. Tray-raised with distinctively briny, metallic flavor balanced by subtle sweetness and clean mineral finish.
Samish Bay
US West CoastBeach-cultured Pacific oyster from historic Samish Bay in Northern Puget Sound. Firm, plump meats with medium brininess, mild sweetness, and a distinctive refreshing cucumber finish. Rustic lichen-green shells.
Satori
British ColumbiaPacific oyster from British Columbia cultivated using deep water start, tumbling, and beach methods. Medium brininess with fresh, clean taste and distinctive cucumber finish.
Sawmill Bay
British ColumbiaSustainably farmed Pacific oyster from British Columbia's glacier-fed Discovery Islands. Medium-sized with firm texture, balanced brininess and sweetness, and a crisp, clean finish with subtle umami notes.
Sea Cow
US West CoastA tumbled Pacific oyster from South Puget Sound's Hammersley Inlet with extraordinary creamy richness and deep, funky earthiness. Flavors of wild mushrooms and umami make this the foie gras of the coast—an acquired taste for adventurous oyster lovers.
Shibumi
US West CoastSmall, deeply-cupped Pacific oyster from Eld Inlet, southern Puget Sound. Tide-tumbled to perfection with plump, sweet meat, low salinity, and a distinctive smoky finish with unique notes of Jerusalem artichoke and raw green bean.
Shigoku
Washington StateTumbled Pacific with firm texture. Cucumber, melon, clean brine.
Ships Point
British ColumbiaBeach-grown Pacific oyster from Baynes Sound, British Columbia. Moderately salty with a mild, sweet flavor and distinctive bitter cucumber finish. Naturally tumbled by winter storms.
Sinku
British ColumbiaDeep-water suspended Pacific oyster from British Columbia. Clean and briny with a mild, cold milk taste and no vegetal notes. Crisp texture from cold-water cultivation at 15-40 feet depth.
Sister Point
US West CoastBag-started, beach-finished oyster from southern Hood Canal's Great Bend. Thick-shelled with intensely salty, briny flavor and a distinctive cucumber-seaweed finish characteristic of South Sound oysters.
Skookum
US West CoastA sweet, mild Pacific Northwest oyster from South Puget Sound's Little Skookum Inlet. Melon-scented with low brininess and a creamy, herbaceous finish. Farmed since 1883 using rack & bag to beach cultivation.
Snow Creek
US West CoastA challenging Pacific Northwest oyster from Discovery Bay, Washington. Suspension-cultured at 60 feet deep, delivering firm, plump meats with robust brininess, distinctive iron-mineral notes, and a sweet finish.
Spring Creek
US West CoastA briny Pacific Northwest oyster prized for its firm texture and intense umami flavor. Best in early spring when amino acids create peak savory intensity with a clean, assertive finish.
Steamboat
US West CoastBeach-grown Pacific oyster from Totten Inlet, Puget Sound. Small and deep-cupped with sweet, melon-scented flesh and refreshing cucumber crispness. Exceptionally wine-friendly with mild, earthy character.
Stellar Bay
British ColumbiaA tumbled Pacific oyster from British Columbia with a smooth, deep purple-black shell. Abundantly meaty with a mild, clean flavor featuring subtle sweetness and a melon-like finish.
Summer Ice
Canada West CoastDeep-water BC oyster cultivated at 20-50 feet depths to maintain winter condition year-round. Very salty and briny with a rich, fruity finish from feeding on zooplankton in cold Pacific waters.
Sunset Beach
US West CoastBeach-raised Pacific oyster from Hood Canal, Washington. Full, plump meats with mild brininess, sweet flavor, and a distinctive melon-like aftertaste. Thick shells and crunchy texture from intertidal cultivation.
Tomales Bay
US West CoastThe definitive California oyster with stunning black and purple shells. Intensely briny with cucumber notes and a rich, buttery finish.
Tomales Bay Golden Nugget
US West CoastRare tumbled Pacific oyster from Tomales Bay's oldest oyster company. Deep-cupped and plump with smooth buttery brine, rich melon notes, and a distinctive woody artichoke finish. One of California's richest-tasting oysters.
Totten Inlet
US West CoastLegendary Pacific oyster from South Puget Sound's most renowned fattening grounds. Intensely rich and plump with bold briny flavor, buttery texture, and distinctive seaweed notes that made Totten Inlet famous worldwide.
Treasure Cove
US West CoastPremium Pacific oyster from Case Inlet in Southern Puget Sound. Deep-cupped with plump meat, offering a distinctive sweet-salty balance with crisp brininess and an intensely sweet, clean finish.
Westcott Bay
US West CoastOriginal 'astronaut oysters' from San Juan Island. Delicate, sweet, and creamy with fine shells. Suspension-grown to never touch the bottom, creating exceptionally light texture and mild flavor.
Wildcat Cove
US West CoastBag-to-beach Pacific oyster from Little Skookum Inlet's nutrient-rich waters. Deep-cupped with plump, buttery meat, mild brininess, and distinctive sweet collard greens flavor finishing with melon notes. Beautiful ruffled purple shells.
Willapa Bay
US West CoastBeach-grown Pacific oyster from Washington's pristine Willapa Bay. Tumbled in tidal bags for smooth, dark shells and crisp texture. Light brininess with sweet, herbaceous notes and a signature cucumber finish.
Windy Bay
US West CoastAlaskan oyster with pronounced briny and metallic character. Medium-bodied with robust minerality and a clean, ocean-forward finish that reflects the cold waters of the Alaskan coast.
Yaquina
US West CoastLarge, sweet Pacific oyster from Yaquina Bay, Oregon. Creamy texture with subtle brininess and a clean finish. Grown in nutrient-rich waters with exceptional tidal exchange for a distinctively sweet taste.
Zen
British ColumbiaA sustainably farmed Pacific oyster from Denman Island, BC. Firm and plump with moderate salinity, mild sweetness, and a distinctive delicate melon finish. Deep-cupped, sculpted shells from tumbling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pacific oyster?
The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is a species native to Japan and northeast Asia that is now the most widely farmed oyster in the world, including along the U.S. West Coast, in France, and in Australia.
What does a Pacific oyster taste like?
Pacific oysters are typically sweeter and milder than Eastern oysters, with a creamy, plump texture and distinctive cucumber, melon, or faintly fruity notes alongside a gentler brininess.
How do you recognize a Pacific oyster shell?
Pacific oyster shells are deeply cupped and heavily fluted, often with sharp, ruffled, frilly layers in shades of cream, gray, green, and purple.