Mentaiko – or marinated pollock roe – is a popular ingredient traditionally used in Japanese cuisine. This decadent, salty-savoury ingredient has since been infused in some of our favourite foods here. From burgers to lava toast, we have rounded up six mentaiko-infused goodness to sink your teeth into.
1. Mentaiko Burger ($14)
Aburi Mentaiko Burger is one of the new gems on Sin Lee’s recently revamped menu. This divine burger features a torched pork shoulder filling generously smothered in house-made mentaiko sauce. The sauce is creamy yet not too overpowering, complementing the meat well in this Japanese-Western fusion dish.
Sin Lee Foods
Address: 4 Jln Bukit Ho Swee, Singapore 162004
Hours: 11AM-9PM (closed on Mondays)
(more information here)
2. Mentaiko Toast ($17.90)
Meet & Melt is blurring the lines between sweet and savoury with their Mentaiko Lava Toast. This novel creation is served with Japanese bonito flakes, sea salt gula melaka ice cream and marshmallows topped with rainbow sprinkles. Cut open the toast and you will be greeted with a delightful gush of mentaiko goodness – Christmas came early.
Meet & Melt
Address: Blk 915 Tampines St 91 #01-49 | *SCAPE #02-33/34
Hours: 2PM-11PM (closed on Mondays)
(more information here)
3. Mentaiko Mac & Cheese ($15)
This Southern comfort is getting a classy makeover. Lathered in a rich mentaiko cheese sauce, the mac & cheese at CATO is complemented with Aburi salmon cubes Korean rice cakes.
CATO
Address: 237 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058786
Hours: 7PM-12AM (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
(more information here)
4. Mentaiko Fries ($9)
We all witnessed the gradual decline of the mighty cheese fries. Then there was a golden time when truffle fries reigned supreme. But with cafes constantly pushing creative boundaries, fries are now being pimped with condiments of sorts – and the fries at GRUB is a case in point. This crowd favourite is served with mentaiko dressing drizzled on shoestring fries.
GRUB
Address: 510 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, 569983
Hours: 9AM-4PM, 530PM-1030PM
(more information here)
5. Yaki Mentaiko Miso Gyoza ($7.80)
Gyoza and mentaiko are both of Japanese origin, but have strangely never crossed paths in the culinary world. This Japanese restaurant took it upon themselves to marry the two in their mentaiko gyoza creation. Drenched in a torched layer of rich mentaiko sauce, this combination is godsent for all mentaiko and gyoza lovers.
Gyoza-Ya
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-56 ION Orchard, B4-56 ION Orchard
Hours: 1130AM-10PM
(more information here)
6. Mentaiko Carbonara
Carbonara has always been a sinful indulgence, and this Japanese variation of the classic cream pasta is made with creamy mentaiko sauce topped with bacon and a runny onsen egg. The heat in the spicy mentaiko sauce packs a mean punch with every mouthful.
Kabe no Ana
Address: Nex, #B1-80, 23 Serangoon Central | Jurong Point, #B1-55,1 Jurong West Central 2
Hours: 11AM-10PM (last order: 930PM)
(more information here)
