Mentaiko Potato Salad Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101

Mentaiko Potato Salad is Mentaiko (spicy salted cod roe) blended with mashed potato and seasoned with tangy Japanese mayonnaise. It’s a variation of normal Japanese potato salad, however it has change into fairly standard in Japan as a facet dish within the final decade or so. Mentaiko Potato Salad is a good little dish subsequent to a extra substantial entree like Tonkatsu or Hamburger Steak, but in addition a pleasant merchandise to fill a nook of a Bento field too.

Mentaiko Potato Salad is much like Tarako Potato Salad which is potato salad with Tarako (salted cod roe). Japanese folks typically name Tarako Potato Salad “Taramo Salad” mistakenly pondering that’s an abbreviation of “Tara (cod) + Imo (potato).” Nonetheless, Taramo Salad is a special dish, and it’s truly originated from Greek dish Taramasalata, mashed potato blended with fish roe. Greek Taramosalata was reworked and adjusted to a extra Japanese style by including native substances, and it turned Japanese “Taramo Salad” as we speak. What we’re making right here is like Taramo Salad however with Mentaiko spicy cod roe. It inevitably tastes comparable, however Mentaiko provides the dish a spicy kick.

Mentaiko is salted pollock or cod roe flavored with purple chili and different seasonings. It’s usually offered as a sack or membrane with the roe inside, a bit like a mushy sausage. Typically it’s used like that, and generally (like on this recipe) the pores and skin is eliminated and solely the roe is used. It’s an ingredient used so much in Japan, however Mentaiko is initially from Korea. It’s virtually like Kimchee-flavored cod roe. Mentaiko and Tarako are used interchangeably in dishes relying on how spicy you desire to it to be. Mentaiko (or Tarako) is eaten as is on Steamed Rice, or used as a seasoning agent in dishes like pastas, salads, and Onigiri rice balls. Due to the excessive sodium content material, you actually don’t wish to eat Mentaiko or Tarako daily. Nevertheless it’s tempting to take action, as a result of it’s so tasty. Now we have to confess although, that they positively have a definite fishy odor, and might not be for you if you happen to don’t like fish roe.

Mentaiko Potato Salad has slightly little bit of the odor of fish roe, however it additionally has a robust style of Japanese mayonnaise too. As soon as all of the flavors of mashed potato, inexperienced onion, and mayo together with Mentaiko come collectively, it simply turns into one scrumptious dish. In the event you like Japanese Potato Salad, it’s important to style this one too. It’s also tremendous simple to make. Hope you attempt our Mentaiko Potato Salad very quickly!