What is Mentaiko (Spicy Cod Roe)?
Mentaiko is a traditional Japanese specialty food made from chili-infused Alaska pollack roe. Also referred to as karashi mentaiko, Japanese spicy caviar, or spicy cod caviar, mentaiko has a stimulating and delicate flavor.
While mentaiko has long been a familiar favorite in Japan, Korea, and Russia, it is becoming increasingly popular around the world. The stimulating flavor and delicate texture make it a versatile ingredient for many dishes. It can be enjoyed in Japanese cuisine, in light dishes such as dips, soups, and salads, as well as in main meals including seafood dishes and pasta.
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The History of Mentaiko
The roots of mentaiko can be traced to the Korean peninsula in the Meiji period (1868-1912). During this time, a Japanese man named Izuha Iguchi moved to Korea and began a career in the fishing industry. He noticed that the fishermen were using only the flesh of the Alaska pollack while discarding most of the roe. He decided to find a way to commercialize that roe.
After some experimentation, he developed the process of salt-curing the roe with finely chopped chili pepper. He called his product “Alaska pollack eggs” or “Mentaiko.” In 1907, he founded Iguchi Shoten in Busan, under the trademark “The Original Mentaiko.” His product is now considered the prototype of the mentaiko we enjoy today.
Until the outbreak of World War 2, Iguchi Shoten’s mentaiko was popular throughout the Korean peninsula and across Japan. It was shipped from Busan to Shimonoseki on the Kanpu ferries before being transported to Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market. By the time the war ended, Iguchi Shoten had closed, but mentaiko had not been forgotten. Some of those who repatriated from Korea to Japan started to make mentaiko based on their memories of the unforgettably unique, umami-rich taste.
Many of these new mentaiko producers were established in and around Fukuoka and Yamaguchi prefectures. Their products were sold in local stations and airports as a Hakata specialty food. Once these mentaiko products reached Tokyo and Osaka, they were promoted and sold as “the taste of Hakata.” This is why today mentaiko is known as a Hakata specialty food.
Today, Kanefuku is committed to superlative taste, quality, and safety as we promote mentaiko across Japan and throughout the rest of the world.