Mentaiko Potato Salad Recipe

Mentaiko Potato Salad is Mentaiko (spicy salted cod roe) mixed with mashed potato and seasoned with tangy Japanese mayonnaise. It’s a variation of regular Japanese potato salad, but it has become quite popular in Japan as a side dish in the last decade or so. Mentaiko Potato Salad is a great little dish next to a more substantial entree like Tonkatsu or Hamburger Steak, but also a nice item to fill a corner of a Bento box too.

Mentaiko Potato Salad is similar to Tarako Potato Salad which is potato salad with Tarako (salted cod roe). Japanese people often call Tarako Potato Salad “Taramo Salad” mistakenly thinking that is an abbreviation of “Tara (cod) + Imo (potato).” However, Taramo Salad is a different dish, and it’s actually originated from Greek dish Taramasalata, mashed potato mixed with fish roe. Greek Taramosalata was transformed and adjusted to a more Japanese taste by adding local ingredients, and it became Japanese “Taramo Salad” today. What we are making here is like Taramo Salad but with Mentaiko spicy cod roe. It inevitably tastes similar, but Mentaiko gives the dish a spicy kick.

Mentaiko is salted pollock or cod roe flavored with red chili and other seasonings. It is typically sold as a sack or membrane with the roe inside, a bit like a soft sausage. Sometimes it is used like that, and sometimes (like in this recipe) the skin is removed and only the roe is used. It is an ingredient used a lot in Japan, but Mentaiko is originally from Korea. It’s almost like Kimchee-flavored cod roe. Mentaiko and Tarako are used interchangeably in dishes depending on how spicy you would like it to be. Mentaiko (or Tarako) is eaten as is on Steamed Rice, or used as a seasoning agent in dishes like pastas, salads, and Onigiri rice balls. Because of the high sodium content, you really don’t want to eat Mentaiko or Tarako every day. But it’s tempting to do so, because it’s so tasty. We have to admit though, that they definitely have a distinct fishy smell, and may not be for you if you don’t like fish roe.

Mentaiko Potato Salad has a little bit of the smell of fish roe, but it also has a strong taste of Japanese mayonnaise too. Once all the flavors of mashed potato, green onion, and mayo along with Mentaiko come together, it just becomes one delicious dish. If you like Japanese Potato Salad, you have to taste this one too. It is also super easy to make. Hope you try our Mentaiko Potato Salad very soon!