Ahhh, Shirako. What is this strange delicacy from Japan? well, it’s fish semen. One of the foods I always mention when people ask “What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?”. Although, I could mention more, which I’ll save for other articles.
Yes, this is indeed fish semen. Much like how we eat roe, fish eggs, the opposite exists, the contributing half from the male fish. Though in the west it may be called ‘milt’. You can find the strange delicacy in many restaurants around Japan. I often saw it in sushi restaurants, looking like something squeezed straight out of a mayonnaise bottle on rice. However, I never tried it there. The ‘milt’ can come from several fish, cod being a common one.
It’s an interesting and slightly repulsive delicacy, much like any other delicacy often is, but one I recommend trying; purely for bragging rights. But unlike some others, it isn’t such a disgusting taste. There is a slight taste of the sea and a bit of saltiness. The flavour isn’t overpowering or too strong so quite edible. I tried tempura style so it came with a nice crisp layer. It was served with a small dish of salt to dip into.
I tried it when I visited Wakayama in a small Izakaya, near the hostel I stayed in. I was visiting Tomogashima the next day. Funnily enough, my friend and I had been discussing shirako on the train down, so when we spied it on the menu we knew we had to try it.
Its taste isn’t offensive and it is easy to eat. Some people often describe it as creamy with a light cheese taste. However, to me, it just tasted like the sea. If you are in a restaurant or izakaya look for ‘白子’ which means ‘white children’.
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