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Authentic Mentaiko pasta with creamy and rich Meitako sauce. Easy Mentaiko pasta recipe to make at home that tastes like Japanese restaurants.
Mentaiko Pasta Recipe
Mentaiko pasta is a Japanese pasta recipe with spaghetti, spicy Mentaiko or pollock/cod roe, in a rich and creamy Mentaiko sauce.
It’s a delicious, flavorful pasta that you can make at home, much cheaper compared to eating out at restaurants.
This easy homemade recipe is tried and tested, and as good as restaurant’s version.
What Is Mentaiko
Mentaiko is spicy pollock caviar or roe used in Japanese recipes. The roes are salted, spicy and have an intense umami flavors.
You can buy Mentaiko in Japanese stores. They are usually frozen in the freezer and comes in two forms: in sacs and without sacs.
I personally like the ones ready to use as you don’t have to extract the caviar or roes from the sacs.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is 805 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Mentaiko Pasta
Serve this dish with other Japanese recipes. For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Mentaiko Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti pasta
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meitaiko Sauce:
- 3 oz Mentaiko or spicy pollock caviar/roe
- 1/4 cup dashi
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper
- 1 egg yolk, optional
Garnishing!
- 1/2 teaspoon Mentaiko
- Microgreen
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, ensuring it is cooked al dente.
- Prepare the meitako. If using whole mentaiko in sacs, use a spoon to scrape out the caviar/roe, discarding the sacs.
- Heat a skillet over low heat. Add the butter and olive oil, followed by the mentaiko, dashi, heavy whipping cream, mirin, salt, and ground black pepper. Bring to a light simmer, stirring to combine the sauce well.
- Drain the spaghetti and transfer it to the skillet. Mix well to combine with the sauce.
- Add the egg yolk, if using, and stir to make the pasta richer and creamier.
- Dish out the pasta and garnish with the meitako, some microgreens, and a sprinkle of ground black pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yummy