白子(しらこ)

しらこ
noun
milt; fish sperm sac
1. milt; fish sperm sac; soft roe
The sperm sac of male fish, considered a delicacy in Japanese cuisine. Most commonly from cod (tara) or pufferfish (fugu), it has a soft, creamy texture and mild flavor.
白子(しらこ)のポン酢(ず)和(あ)え。
Milt dressed with ponzu sauce.
冬(ふゆ)は鱈(たら)の白子(しらこ)がおいしい季節(きせつ)だ。
Winter is the season when cod milt is delicious.
白子(しらこ)は見(み)た目(め)で敬遠(けいえん)する人(ひと)もいるが、食(た)べてみるとクリーミーで濃厚(のうこう)な味(あじ)わいがある。
Some people are put off by the appearance of milt, but when you try it, it has a creamy, rich flavor.

Written with the characters 白(しら) (white) and 子(こ) (child/offspring), referring to the white, soft appearance of the sac. A seasonal winter delicacy, especially prized from 鱈(たら) (cod) and 河豚(ふぐ) (pufferfish). It is the male counterpart to 卵(たまご)/魚卵(ぎょらん) (fish eggs/roe).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 鱈(たら)の白子(しらこ): cod milt
  • 河豚(ふぐ)の白子(しらこ): pufferfish milt
  • 白子(しらこ)ポン酢(ず): milt with ponzu
  • 白子(しらこ)の天(てん)ぷら: deep-fried milt
  • 白子(しらこ)鍋(なべ): milt hot pot

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 卵巣(らんそう)/真子(まこ): roe, ovary — the female counterpart; fish eggs
  • 数(かず)の子(こ): herring roe — a specific type of fish roe eaten at New Year
  • たらこ: cod roe — salted cod eggs, a common food item

NOTE:
The word 白子(しらこ) can also refer to a person or animal with albinism, though this usage is less common in modern Japanese.

general
Added 2026.4.4 3:30
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