たらこ

noun

cod roe; salted pollock roe

1. cod roe; salted pollock roe

The salted roe (eggs) of Alaska pollock or cod, widely eaten in Japan as a rice topping, onigiri filling, or pasta ingredient. Typically pale pink in color.

たらこのおにぎりが好(す)きだ。

I like cod roe rice balls.

たらこパスタを作(つく)った。

I made cod roe pasta.

コンビニのおにぎりの中(なか)で、たらこは常(つね)に人気(にんき)ランキングの上位(じょうい)に入(はい)る。

Among convenience store rice balls, cod roe consistently ranks near the top in popularity.

WRITING: Usually written in hiragana (たらこ) or katakana (タラコ). The kanji 鱈子(たらこ) exists but is rarely used.

ETYMOLOGY: From 鱈(たら) (cod/pollock) + 子(こ) (child, here meaning eggs/roe).

CULTURE: たらこ is one of Japan's most popular rice ball (おにぎり) fillings. たらこパスタ (cod roe pasta) is a uniquely Japanese pasta dish. Mentaiko (明太子(めんたいこ)) is a spicier variety seasoned with chili pepper.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

たらこおにぎり: cod roe rice ball
たらこパスタ: cod roe pasta
たらこスパゲッティ: cod roe spaghetti
焼(や)きたらこ: grilled cod roe

SIMILAR WORDS:

たらこ: salted pollock roe (mild, not spicy)
明太子(めんたいこ): spicy pollock roe (seasoned with chili)
いくら: salmon roe (larger, individual eggs)
数(かず)の子(こ): herring roe

general

Added 2026.3.5 19:29

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