Classic Mentaiko Pasta

Name: Classic Mentaiko Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt ((for boiling the pasta)); 8 oz spaghetti ((4 oz, 113 g per serving) ); 2 sacs spicy salted pollock roe or cod roe (karashi mentaiko); 2 Tbsp whole milk; 2 Tbsp heavy (whipping) cream; 2 Tbsp unsalted butter ((melted)); 1 Tbsp soy sauce; freshly ground black pepper; shredded nori seaweed ((or cut a nori sheet into thin strips 2 inches (5 cm) long)); shiso leaves (perilla/ooba)

Instructions

Prep:5minCook:15min

Japanese-style Mentaiko Pasta is one of the most popular wafu fusion dishes in Japan. In this quick and easy recipe, we toss hot spaghetti in a buttery cream sauce mixed with spicy salted cod or pollock roe. It‘s a heavenly, delicious combination! Ready in just 20 minutes.

Updated at: Sun, 23 Aug 2026 00:08:27 GMT