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Tobiko (Flying Fish Roe) Sushi

Tobiko / Flying Fish Roe / Golden Caviar

Fish Roe
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とびこ軍艦

Order Beloniformes, Family Exocoetidae

Tobiko is the roe of flying fish. There are more than 50 species of flying fish in oceans around the world, most abundant in tropical and subtropical regions. They glide at high speed across the surface of the water and are caught in large numbers in Asia outside Japan as well. Known overseas as "golden caviar," they are also familiar abroad.

Tobiko is the roe of flying fish, about 0.5 to 1 mm in size. Flying fish live in oceans around the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. They glide at tremendous speed just above the surface of the sea, covering distances of over 100 meters at speeds of 50 to 70 km/h. As a substitute for tobiko, there is also masago, the roe of capelin or pond smelt. Because it is inexpensive, tobiko sushi is often served at conveyor-belt sushi restaurants in Japan. Since the eggs are small, it is usually made into gunkan-maki (battleship sushi), but thanks to its bright colors and popping texture, it is also frequently used as an accent in salad rolls, chirashi sushi, and the like. It has a high cholesterol content, so it should be eaten in moderation, but it contains protein and minerals and is nutritionally excellent. Overseas, there is a general preference for gorgeous appearances, so tobiko plays a more prominent role abroad than in Japan, though it is sometimes confused with ikura. In addition to gunkan-maki, it is often used on the outside of inside-out rolls such as the California roll, and is also commonly used even at high-end restaurants.

What Color Is Tobiko Really?

Tobiko is originally a pale yellow. Because it is easy to dye, it is often processed with pigments and flavorings when used as a sushi topping. The most common color in Japan is red-orange, but overseas it is processed into various colors and flavors to add accents to sushi: blackened with squid ink, tinted pale orange with yuzu, or made green and spicy with wasabi.
Colorful overseas tobiko sushi Colorful overseas tobiko sushi

Is Tobiko Crab Eggs?

In Japan, many people know that tobiko is fish roe like ikura (salmon roe), but in China it is said that tobiko is often mistaken for crab eggs. This is no surprise, since tobiko sushi is sometimes served under a name meaning "crab baby battleship sushi."
Also, outside China, tobiko dyed black is sometimes labeled as black caviar, as if it were caviar (sturgeon roe).
With its gorgeous appearance, it is in high demand all over the world.

カニの卵

In Japan, many people know that tobiko is fish roe like ikura (salmon roe), but in China it is said that tobiko is often mistaken for crab eggs. This is no surprise, since tobiko sushi is sometimes served under a name meaning "crab baby battleship sushi."
Also, outside China, tobiko dyed black is sometimes labeled as black caviar, as if it were caviar (sturgeon roe).
With its gorgeous appearance, it is in high demand all over the world.

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