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Mentaiko Pasta
First posted in 2011, updated in Mar 2015.
Mentaiko is marinated pollock roe and a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine. Using it to make mentaiko pasta (明太子パスタ) is my favourite way to enjoy this ingredient. This Italian-Japanese pasta is usually quite expensive on the menu, but easily less than half the price and more than double the roe, to make at home.
See Also:
- Ingredient Spotlight: Mentaiko
- Hotate Mentaiyaki (Baked Scallops with Mentaiko) Recipe
- Japanese Recipes
As gourmet as this pasta may sound and look, it is actual the simplest pasta recipe out there! The sauce does not require stove-top cooking and took me 5 minutes. The only real cooking I did was to cook the pasta (spaghetti).
To make the 5-minute sauce, I basically melted butter in the microwave, then whisked in the other ingredients in a small bowl.
There are two main types of spicy ‘karashi’ mentaiko (辛子明太子) you can find at the local Japanese supermarkets. The colourless type will result in a colourless pasta with visible bits of roe in it. On the other hand, the coloured type (featured in this recipe; pictured above), will result in a slight salmon pink pasta sauce. Click here to read more information about mentaiko.
Very intriguing and I’m curious to try this with some of the roe I see at my local asian market. These quick pasta dishes are the best, thanks!
I know your area is abundant with wonderful fish roe and caviar … how delightful :)
This is a very interesting pasta recipe. Those mentaiko look like chicken breast….
maybe because it’s a close-shot. The sacs looked much smaller in real life :p
The pasta looks simple and delicious. the mentaiko is new to me. Looks cute :P Love the pasta paste.
Me too! I’m not a fan of creamy pasta as well- a little too heavy for my liking. I love how you make the sauce yourself..and this is the first time I am seeing this roe!!
Oh Wiffy, Someone gave a a box of this roe, only put on grill. Thanks for sharing this recipe.. am sure my family will love it.
a BOX! you’re so lucky :p
Mentaiko is new to me too. Looks so delicious, and most importantly, it’s simple to make.
Am also not a fan of creamy pasta…I know I can get mentaiko here, just need to make an effort to look out of it.
Beautiful looking dish! I love your garnish of seaweed strips on top and your overall presentation. :)
Hi there, may I know where you bought your mentaiko? Is it available all year round?
I recently visited the Hokkaido fair at Scotts and they sell $19/100gm (that’s only about 1 sac). I must say it’s pretty pricey.. Not sure if they will sell even after the fair is over.
Hi Jes, I got mine from Isetan Scotts – not the fair, it’s inside the supermarket, the place where they sell sashimi. 4 sacs for S$12.90 and available all year round. Yes quite expensive ingredient, but 2 sacs can cook for 2 persons, still cheaper than ordering it outside ;)
This Italian-Japanese pasta dish is very special. It’s time for a change to taste something special like this. Great sharing. Thanks.