Pollock roe

Pollock roe, also pollack roe, (also known as myeongnan-jeot and tarako) is the roe of Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) which, despite its name, is a species of cod. Salted pollock roe is a popular culinary ingredient in Korean, Japanese, and Russian cuisines.

Alaska pollock roe
Alaska pollack's liver, roe, and milt
Korean name
Hangul명란
Hanja明卵
Literal meaningAlaska pollock roe
Japanese name
Kanji鱈子
Kanaたらこ
Russian name
Russianикра минтая
Romanizationikra mintaya

Names

In Korean, pollock roe is called myeongnan (명란), while the salted roe dish is called myeongnan-jeot (명란젓), being considered a type of jeotgal (salted seafood). The Korean word myeongnan (명란) means pollock roe as myeong (명) came from myeongtae (명태), the Korean word for Alaska pollocks, and ran (란), also pronounced nan, means "egg (roe)". As jeot (젓) is a category of salted seafood, the compound myeongnan-jeot (명란젓) refers to salted pollock roe.

The Japanese word mentaiko is a compound of mentai (明太), borrowed from its Korean cognate myeongtae meaning Alaska pollock, and ko (子), a Japanese word for "child (roe)". Alaska pollocks are called suketōdara (介党鱈) in Japanese. Tara (鱈) means cod in Japanese. Tarako (鱈子) literally means "salted cod roe", but generally refers to smaller salted roe sacs.[1]

In Russian, pollock roe is called ikra mintaya (икра минтая). The word is also used to referred to the salted roe. The Russian word ikra (икра) means "roe" and mintaya (минтая) is the singular genitive form of mintay (минтай), which means Alaska pollock. The word also derived from its Korean cognate, myeongtae (명태).

History

Korea

Koreans have been enjoying pollock roe since the Joseon era (1392–1897). One of the earliest mentions are from Diary of the Royal Secretariat, where a 1652 entry stated: "The management administration should be strictly interrogated for bringing in pollock roe instead of cod roe."[2] Recipe for salted pollock roe is found in a 19th-century cookbook, Siuijeonseo.

Japan

A 1696 Japanese book records the use of Alaska pollock's roe in Northern land.[3]

The dish mentaiko originates from Korea and is originally the Korean myeongnan-jeot.[4][5][6][7][8][9] Toshio Kawahara (川原 俊夫, Kawahara Toshio), who was born in the city of Busan, Korea during the Japanese occupation, founded the oldest mentaiko company in Japan called "Aji no Mentaiko Fukuya" (ja:ふくや) after World War II. He made slight modifications to myeongnan-jeot to adapt to Japanese tastes and introduced it to Japan as "Karashi mentaiko" (ja:辛子明太子), it popular name is "mentaiko". The milder, less spicy version is called tarako (鱈子) in Japan.

Salted pollock roe
Salted Alaska pollock roe
Alternative namesMyeongnan
Myeongnan-jeot
Tarako
Mentaiko
Ikra mintaya
TypeJeotgal
CourseBanchan
Place of originKorea
Associated national cuisineKorean cuisine
Japanese cuisine
Russian cuisine
Main ingredientsRoe of Alaska pollock
Salted Alaska pollock roe
Korean name
Hangul명란젓
Hanja明卵-
Literal meaningAlaska pollock roe jeotgal
Japanese name
Kanji鱈子／（辛子）明太子
Kanaたらこ／（からし）めんたいこ
Russian name
Russianикра минтая
Romanizationikra mintaya

Korea
See also: Alaska pollock as food § Korea

Traditionally, myeongnan-jeot was made before dongji (winter solstice). Intact skeins of Alaska pollock roe are washed carefully with salt water, then salted in a sokuri (bamboo basket). The ratio of salt to roe ranges from less than 5:100 to more than 15:100. After 2–3 days, salted and drained roe is marinated for at least a day with fine gochutgaru (chilli powder) and finely minced garlic. myeongnan-jeot is usually served with some drops of sesame oil.

Myeongnan-jeot, whether raw, dried, and/or cooked, is a common banchan (side dish) and anju (food served with alcoholic beverages). It is also used in a variety of dishes, such as gyeran-jjim (steamed egg), bokkeum-bap (fried rice), and recently in Korean-style Italian pasta dishes.

Myeongnan-jeot is a specialty of South Hamgyong Province of North Korea, and Gangwon Province and Busan of South Korea.

  • Myeongnan-jeot sold in a market
  • Vacuum-packed myeongnan-jeot
  • Heavily seasoned myeongnan-jeot
  • Myeongnan-jeot-muchim (salted pollock roe salad)
  • Myeongnan-jeot-gyeran-mari (rolled omelette with salted pollock roe)
  • Myeongnnan-jeot in jjigae (stew)
  • Myeongnan-jeot pizza

Japan

Mentaiko, adapted from Korean myeongnan-jeot,[10][11][12][13][14][15] hence the name mentai[myeongtae (명태,明太,pollack) + ko(알,子,baby or roe)], is common in Japan. It is made in a variety of flavors and colors and is available at airports and main train stations. It is usually eaten with onigiri, but is also enjoyed by itself with sake. A common variety is spicy mentaiko (辛子明太子, karashi mentaiko). It is a product of the Hakata ward of Fukuoka City. Milder version is called tarako (鱈子),

Recently in Japan, mentaiko pasta has become common. Mentaiko is mixed with butter or mayonnaise and used as a sauce for spaghetti. Thin strips of Nori are often sprinkled on top.

Mentaiko was nominated as Japan's number one side dish in the Japanese weekly magazine, Shūkan Bunshun.[16]

Tarako is served in a number of ways: plain (usually for breakfast),[17] as a filling for onigiri, and as a pasta sauce (usually with nori). Traditionally, tarako was dyed bright red, but recent concerns about the safety of food coloring have all but eliminated that custom.[17] In Kyūshū, tarako is commonly served with red chili pepper flakes.

  • Tarako
  • Mentaiko
  • Baked mentaiko
  • Mentaiko-chazuke
  • Mentaiko spaghetti
  • Tarako spaghetti

Russia

In Russia, pollock roe is consumed as a sandwich spread. The product, resembling liquid paste due to the small size of eggs and oil added, is sold canned.

  • Ikra mintaya spread
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See also

References
  1. Gleyn, Bledsoe; Barbara, Rasco (2006). "Caviar and Fish Roe". In Hui, Yiu H. (ed.). Handbook of Food Science, Technology, and Engineering. CRC Press. p. 161-12. ISBN 978-0-8493-9849-0. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  2. Cha, Sang-eun (12 September 2015). "A hit abroad, pollock roe is rallying at home". Korea Joongang Daily. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  3. "遠藤元閑（1696年）『茶湯献立指南』、「鱈の子は北国より出る名物也」" (JPG). Archive.wul.waseda.ac.jp. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  4. "Jacar Newsletter No. 19". Jacar.gp.jp. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  5. "Marinated Mentaiko Cod Roe - Authentic Japanese product". Japan-brand.jnto.go.jp. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  6. Preston, Matt (27 October 2015). "The Simple Secrets to Cooking Everything Better". Plum. Retrieved 15 May 2018 – via Google Books.
  7. ], Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization [ Japan. "KARASHI MENTAIKO (MARINATED POLLACK ROE)｜SIGHTSEEING SPOTS｜Kyushu Tourism Information [ Japan ]". Kyushu Tourism Information [ Japan ]. Retrieved 15 May 2018.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. "Mentaiko! - The Japanese Food Report". Japanesefoodreport.com. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  9. "Mentaiko Spaghetti Recipe (明太子)". Japanesefoodreport.com. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-10-14. Retrieved 2017-10-14.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. "Marinated Mentaiko Cod Roe - Authentic Japanese product". Japan-brand.jnto.go.jp. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  12. Preston, Matt (27 October 2015). "The Simple Secrets to Cooking Everything Better". Plum. Retrieved 21 December 2017 – via Google Books.
  13. ], Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization [ Japan. "KARASHI MENTAIKO (MARINATED POLLACK ROE)｜SIGHTSEEING SPOTS｜Kyushu Tourism Information [ Japan ]". Kyushu Tourism Information [ Japan ]. Retrieved 21 December 2017.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. "Mentaiko! - The Japanese Food Report". Japanesefoodreport.com. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  15. "Mentaiko Spaghetti Recipe (明太子)". Sffood.net. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  16. Ahn (안), Min-jeong (민정) (May 6, 2011). 일본인 좋아하는 밥반찬에 한국의 그것? (in Korean). JPNews. Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  17. Ashkenazi, Michael; Jacob, Jeanne (2003). "Major Foods and Ingredients". Food Culture in Japan. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 58–9. ISBN 0-313-32438-7.
  • Media related to Mentaiko at Wikimedia Commons
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