Chef’s Notes
Mason Bostwick · Executive Chef
Eastern oyster
Kusshi — Kusshi — Strong minerality — creamy and cucumber finish. A solid farmed kumamoto oyster.
Flavor chart
Chef palate read
Shuckability
Shell & line performance
When I buy it
Look for Kusshi Oysters in peak season when conditions are optimal.
How I serve it
On the half shell with minimal garnish — let the oyster speak.
What to watch for
Mild salinity with creamy finish. Reject any with broken shells or milky liquor.
My read
Strong minerality — creamy and cucumber finish. A solid farmed kumamoto oyster.
Kusshi Oysters, originating from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, are renowned for their small,. gem-like shells. The name “Kusshi” is Japanese for “ultimate,” reflecting their high quality.
These oysters are farmed for 3 to 4 years using a suspension tray method. and a unique tumbling process, which results in smooth, golf-ball-shaped oysters with deep cups. The. tumbling process strengthens their shells and adds firmness to the meat.
Kusshi Oysters are available year-round, with an average size of 2.25 inches. They are often. compared to Kumamoto oysters, although Kusshi tends to be brinier. Their cultivation process,. which includes protection from predators and mud, produces a clean,. delicate flavor.
Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd., led by Keith Reid, has refined the process to produce. these unique, world-class oysters. The company’s oysters are regularly monitored for quality. and are graded according to size using state-of-the-art technology.
About Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd.
Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd., situated in Bowser, British Columbia, Canada, dedicates itself to producing oysters of exceptional quality. The company cultivates its oysters in the pristine waters off of Canada’s Vancouver Island, providing ideal growing conditions.
Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd. has perfected the process of culturing oysters to produce exceptional, world-class oysters. The company employs state-of-the-art technology to monitor its oysters’ quality and grade them based on size.
Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd. has positioned itself to supply fresh oysters and clams worldwide by situating its oyster farms within 5km of the processing plant.. This proximity drastically reduces the time the shellfish spend in transit, ensuring freshness.
The British Columbia Wine and Oyster Festival People’s Choice Award has recognized the company’s commitment to quality for the past six years. Today, Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd. is among Canada’s top shellfish suppliers.
You can contact Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd. directly at their official website. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram!
What Are Kusshi Oysters?
Kusshi Oysters are farmed Eastern oysters tied to Deep Bay on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Deep Bay lies off the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, where farmers cultivate Kusshi oysters in nutrient-rich waters. Baynes Sound, situated in the Strait of Georgia, contains Deep Bay.
On the half shell the line reads oceanic brine balanced by moderate sweetness. The meat is creamy with a firm bite, indicative of their high meat content. The flavor finishes with a bright cucumber note, adding a refreshing and fruity end.
Salinity near 28 ppt frames the briny opening of each bite. Small, deep-cupped shells read smooth and golf-ball round from constant tumbling in suspension trays. Kusshi oysters are available year-round at roughly three inches after three to four years of grow-out.
How Did Kusshi Oysters Get Their Name?
Kusshi Oysters take their trade name from Vancouver Island, which buyers see on tags and distributor manifests. The name “Kusshi” is Japanese for “ultimate,” reflecting their high quality. Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd. markets the Kusshi label on wholesale lists and restaurant tags.
Keith Reid leads Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd., the company that refined the Kusshi grow-out process. The trade name distinguishes these tumbled suspension oysters from other Vancouver Island brands. Chefs recognize the Kusshi name as a signal of Deep Bay shellfish pedigree.
About Stellar Bay Shellfish Company
Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd., led by Keith Reid, has refined the process to produce these unique, world-class oysters. These oysters are farmed for 3 to 4 years using a suspension tray method and a unique tumbling process, which results in smooth, golf-ball-shaped oysters with deep cups. The tumbling process strengthens their shells and adds firmness to the meat.
Their cultivation process, which includes protection from predators and mud, produces a clean, delicate flavor. The company’s oysters are regularly monitored for quality and are graded according to size using state-of-the-art technology. Stellar Bay Shellfish Farms operates from Bowser, British Columbia, on Island Highway West in Deep Bay.
Kusshi Oysters Information
Eastern oyster
If you like Kusshi Oysters, then check out these similar varieties!
Location
In Deep Bay, which is located off the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, farmers cultivate Kusshi oysters in nutrient-rich waters. Baynes Sound, situated in the Strait of Georgia, contains Deep Bay. Deep Bay’s sheltered geography limits mud exposure during suspension culture.
Stellar Bay Shellfish Farms sits at 7400 Island Highway West in Bowser, British Columbia. The operation anchors one of Deep Bay’s main commercial shellfish leases. Farmers use suspension trays in these protected waters year-round.
Vancouver Island’s east coast faces the Strait of Georgia and its steady tidal exchange. Nutrient-rich currents from Baynes Sound support plankton that flavors the oysters. Kusshi oysters draw their 28 ppt salinity profile from this bay system.
That setting helps produce the clean, delicate flavor noted on distributor tags. Kusshi oysters are often compared to Kumamoto oysters, although Kusshi tends to be brinier. Chefs source Kusshi oysters from this bay network across North America year-round.
Suggested Beverage Pairings
This cocktail’s smoky and zippy flavors, made with mezcal, jalapeño, lime, and agave, complement the sweetness and the mild brine of Kusshi oysters.
The smokiness and floral aromas of this martini and the citrus notes from the gin enhance the fruity nature of the Kusshi oysters.
A fruit-forward Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, this wine’s mix of tart and ripe citrus, tropical fruit, and smoky minerality balances the briny, fruity component in the oyster.
The bone-dry nature of this wine creates a lush texture with the creamy and meaty Kusshi oysters and brings out a pleasant acidity.
The light tequila and sour grapefruit juice in this cocktail cut through the creamy meat of the Kusshi oyster, while the extra pinch of salt helps the cucumber and grassy notes to shine through.
Where Can I Buy Kusshi Oysters?
- Kusshi Oysters Official Website – You can buy directly from the source. Visit the official company website for more on the operation and oyster access.
- Four Star Seafood – This online retailer offers Kusshi oysters in a pack of 12.
- Coastal Seafoods – Another online retailer that sells Kusshi oysters. They are based in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
- Honolulu Catch – This online store offers Kusshi oysters by the dozen. They provide detailed information about the oysters, including their size, taste, and origin.
References
- Kusshi Oysters Official Website. Web. Accessed 30 May 2026. https://kusshioysters.com/
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