Mentaiko Day (Spicy Cod Roe Day)

What Is Mentaiko Day?

December 12 is "Mentaiko Day." It was established by Maeda Kaisan Co., Ltd., a mentaiko specialist in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. On December 12, 1914 (Taisho 3), the Kanmon Nichinichi Shimbun newspaper used the name "mentaiko" — reportedly the first time the word appeared in a Japanese newspaper. Separately, January 10 is also known as "Mentaiko Day."

The History of Mentaiko

Karashi mentaiko - the ovaries (roe sacs) of walleye pollock marinated in a kimchi-style chili sauce - is said to have its roots in Korea's "myeongnan-jeot." After the war, Toshio Kawahara, founder of Fukuya, who had moved to Hakata as a repatriate from the Korean Peninsula, began selling karashi mentaiko in Nakasu, Fukuoka, in 1949 and kept refining it to suit Japanese tastes. This is regarded as the prototype of today's Hakata-style karashi mentaiko.

The Appeal of Hakata Mentaiko

• A classic Hakata souvenir: It has grown into one of Fukuoka's defining foods
• Major brands: Numerous brands compete for attention, including Fukuya, Yamaya, Kanefuku, and Chikae
• A range of spice levels: Available in mild, medium, and hot varieties, plus variations marinated with yuzu citrus, kelp, or sake lees

Ways to Enjoy Mentaiko

• Classics: Served with plain rice, in rice balls (onigiri), or tossed with pasta (mentai pasta)
• As a drinking snack: Enjoyed as-is alongside sake, shochu, or white wine
• Creative dishes: Mentaiko omelet, mentai-stuffed baguette ("mentai France"), mentaiko cream gratin, and mentaiko mayonnaise dip

Mentaiko, the undisputed king of rice toppings - learning its history makes every bite that much more enjoyable.