Secret to The Perfect Mentaiko Sauce

What is Mentai-ko?

Mentaiko Mayo Sauce — Mentaiko Sushi Ball

Many of us are very attracted to Mentai-ko dishes, especially when it comes with salmon or sushi. But do you know what Mentai-ko is?

There are different sources of information saying that Mentai-ko are Pollock Roe. However, in Japan, Mentai-ko are usually referred as Cod Fish Roe instead. As both fishes are under the species of fish, there is no specific answer to it.

Mentai-ko (明太子) can be Pollock and/or Cod Fish Roe.

How does Mentai-ko taste like?

Karashi Mentaiko Fukuchi (Pollock / Cod Fish Roe Sack) — Mentaiko Fukuchi

First of all, this is how the Mentaiko look originally before it has been prepared.

Mentaiko Fukuchi is the whole sac of Pollock or Cod Fish Roe that has been extracted from the fish.

Mentaiko Fukuchi has an unusual fishy smell and taste, and it is also very salty. They tended to be salted by manufacturers so as to preserve the sac and remove the fishy smell and taste.

Who would buy Mentai-ko Fukuchi?

Many chefs in Japanese restaurants, especially those doing Omakase style, would tend to order Mentaiko Fukuchi as they would love to prepare the Mentai-ko sauce from scratch and create their own unique taste from there.

I mean, if you can create the same taste, there's nothing special about the chef or their food.

Other types of Mentai-ko Sauce

Mentai-ko Tube (Pollock / Cod Fish Roe) — Mentaiko Chubu

Else, if you are not keen in getting the whole sac of Mentaiko Fukuchi, there are also another type of Mentai-ko, where the Pollock / Cod Fish roe have been extracted and packed into tubes.

These Mentaiko Tubes have little to none fishy smell and taste as they have already been processed. However, the saltiness still remains.

Some would find the Mentaiko Tube sauce slightly spicy, but there are no explanation to that. Probably because of the reddish color that gives us that idea? Or does sting your tongue a little while having it.

Secret to the perfect Mentaiko Sauce

So now, you probably be wondering how did it become so creamy and has such perfect umami flavor with sweet and salty taste.

Reason is because there is a secret ingredient to it....

Kewpie Mayonnaise 450GM

YES! You saw it correctly!

Kewpie Mayonnaise 450GM or 500GM is the secret ingredient to prefecting your Mentai-ko sauce!

Due to its sweet and sour taste from the Kewpie Mayonnaise, it compliments the fishy taste and brings out the umami flavors out from the Mentai-ko.

However, do note that only the 450GM or 500GM bottle of Kewpie Mayonnaise can do the magic trick. The 1kg Kewpie Mayonnaise is not sour enough to bring compliment the raw Mentai-ko sauce.