Pollock roe

Mentaiko is a Japanese delicacy made from the roe of the pollock fish marinated in chilli. It is a famous product of Fukuoka City. Mentaiko originated in Korea and was brought to Japan after Japanese colonies in Korea were repatriated after WW2. The name is derived from the Korean word for cod 明太 (mentai/myong tae) and the Japanese word for child 子(ko). It is also known as Karashi Mentaiko 辛子明太子.

Mentaiko is made in a variety of spiciness and colouring and is avaliable at all airports and main train stations in Fukuoka. It is usually eaten with rice but is also enjoyed by itself with sake.

One of the original manufacturers , Fukuya based in Nakasu Fukuoka, is the largest producer of mentaiko competes with over 150 other producers in Japan because they decided not to take out a patent on the recipe.