The geoduck is a large, burrowing saltwater clam native to the Pacific Northwest coast of North America, prized for its long, thick siphon and firm, sweet, faintly briny meat. It is the largest burrowing clam in the world, with some individuals weighing up to 15 pounds and living for over a century; its name comes from a Lushootseed word meaning roughly 'dig deep.' Geoducks have long been harvested by Pacific Northwest coastal peoples and remain an important delicacy in the region as well as in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cooking, where the siphon is prized for sashimi, hot pot, and stir-fries. In the kitchen, the siphon is usually sliced thin and served raw, briefly poached, or quickly sautéed, while the body meat is chopped for chowders or fritters.