うに

うに
noun
sea urchin
1. sea urchin
A spiny marine animal whose gonads (roe) are considered a delicacy in Japanese cuisine.
うにの寿司(すし)が好(す)きだ。
I like sea urchin sushi.
新鮮(しんせん)なうにを食(た)べた。
I ate fresh sea urchin.
北海道(ほっかいどう)はうにの産地(さんち)として有名(ゆうめい)だ。
Hokkaido is famous as a sea urchin producing region.

うに refers to both the sea urchin animal and its edible roe. In food contexts, it specifically means the gonads, prized as a delicacy.

KANJI:
Several kanji exist: 雲丹(うに) (processed/salted roe), 海胆(うに) or 海栗(うに) (the animal). Hiragana うに is standard in most contexts.

COMMON DISHES:

  • うに丼(どん): sea urchin rice bowl
  • うに軍艦(ぐんかん)巻(ま)き: sea urchin battleship sushi
  • うにパスタ: sea urchin pasta
  • うにの刺身(さしみ): raw sea urchin

CULTURAL NOTE:
Considered one of the top sushi toppings alongside まぐろ (tuna) and いくら (salmon roe). 北海道(ほっかいどう) is especially famous for high-quality うに. Fresh うに is expensive; the best varieties can cost several thousand yen per piece at sushi restaurants.

general
Added 2026.2.5 23:52 · Revised 2026.3.26 21:02
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