明太子(めんたいこ)

めんたいこ
noun
spicy pollock roe, mentaiko
food
1. spicy pollock roe, mentaiko
Pollock or cod roe marinated in chili pepper and other seasonings. A specialty of Fukuoka (Hakata) and one of Japan's most popular rice accompaniments and onigiri fillings. The unseasoned version is called たらこ.
明太子(めんたいこ)のおにぎりが好(す)きだ。
I like mentaiko rice balls.
博多(はかた)は明太子(めんたいこ)の本場(ほんば)として有名(ゆうめい)だ。
Hakata is famous as the home of mentaiko.
明太子(めんたいこ)パスタは日本(にほん)発祥(はっしょう)の人気(にんき)メニューで、多(おお)くのレストランで提供(ていきょう)されている。
Mentaiko pasta is a popular dish originating in Japan, served at many restaurants.

Usage

明太子(めんたいこ) specifically refers to spicy seasoned pollock roe. The unseasoned version is たらこ (鱈子(たらこ)). The name comes from Korean: 明太(めんたい) is the Korean word for pollock (명태), and 子(こ) means roe. 博多(はかた) (福岡(ふくおか)) is credited with popularizing the modern spicy version.

Common collocations

  • 明太子(めんたいこ)おにぎり: mentaiko rice ball
  • 明太子(めんたいこ)パスタ: mentaiko pasta
  • 辛子(からし)明太子(めんたいこ): spicy mentaiko (formal/full name)
  • 博多(はかた)明太子(めんたいこ): Hakata mentaiko (brand origin)

Similar words

  • たらこ: unseasoned pollock roe (plain, salted)
  • 明太子(めんたいこ): spicy seasoned pollock roe (chili-marinated)

Related Words

Compare: たらこ (plain pollock roe)
Compare: とびこ (flying fish roe (sushi topping))
general
Added 2026.2.22 15:26 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12500/12729_mentaiko