Kazunoko Herring Roe Hokkaido 500g

What is Kazunoko?
Kazunoko (数の子) is herring roe — a dense block of tiny eggs with a firm, crunchy texture and a clean, subtle taste of the sea. The texture is what defines it: unlike the soft pop of salmon roe, kazunoko has a distinct snap when you bite into it.

It's a fixture of osechi ryori (おせち料理), the New Year meal, where the countless eggs stand for family prosperity — but it eats just as well any time of year as a side dish or an appetizer with sake. The standard preparation is a soak in dashi and soy sauce, which is how most Japanese households serve it.

Specifications

How to enjoy

Thaw in the refrigerator, then marinate in a dashi and soy sauce mix — a working base is dashi with light soy sauce, a little mirin, and sake, left to soak for a day in the fridge. Serve it whole or sliced, topped with bonito flakes. It's a natural match for sake, and it works as a New Year dish or simply as a cold appetizer.

Pairing notes — dashi and soy, bonito flakes, sake, plain rice, and other osechi dishes.