Kazunoko (数の子), or herring roe, are tiny fish eggs in their enclosing skein. This caviar is one of the celebration dishes in Osechi Ryori. As fish roe represents eggs and fertility, eating it is said to bring prosperity to many children and as a prayer for healthy children. It is prepared by soaking the pieces in cold water to remove the salt, then simmering them in dashi broth.
What Does It Taste
It has a savory and salty fishy flavor from the marinating base of sake, soy sauce, mirin, and dashi with a distinctive crunchy texture, like densely packed tobiko.
Recipes Using Kazunoko
Where To Buy
You can find kazunoko at Japanese grocers like Nijiya Market or Uwajimaya at the end of December. It’s sold frozen or seasoned in packages. If not, buy it from an online seafood supplier store. Wish to learn more about Japanese cooking? Sign up for our free newsletter to receive cooking tips & recipe updates! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.
