Pacific cod nigiri

Pacific cod (Madara)

【Nigiri sushi: Shiromi】
What is Madara?
Of the approximately 30 types of cod, the Madara (Pacific cod), Sukesoudara (Alaska pollack) and Komai (Saffron cod) are the three types found in Japan. The hauls for all three have decreased due to overfishing and the situation has become serious. Cod in Japan generally refers to Madara. The Madara is a really big eater, but its fat content is very low considering. About 80% is water content and it loses its freshness very easily.

Sukesoudara (Alaska Pollack) ovaries are distributed as tarako and Madara testes are distributed as shirako. Shirako is good boiled, then served with ponzu and grated daikon radish. It is also delicious in miso soup.

【The taste of Pacific cod nigiri sushi】
While Pacific cod is a highly predatory, fast-growing fish, its flesh is low in fat and high in water content, which causes it to deteriorate very quickly. After death, the flesh tends to fall apart due to the action of autolytic enzymes, and because of the risk of Anisakis parasitic infection, it has long been rarely used for raw consumption.

However, in recent years, owing to the development of ikejime methods aboard fishing vessels and low-temperature distribution systems, high-quality specimens are now being used as sushi toppings. Nevertheless, because the flesh is mild and watery, it is often prepared as “kobujime” (kelp curing) for sushi. This involves lightly salting the fish and then wrapping it in kelp to infuse it with umami and aroma, thereby adding depth to the flavor.
As for processed products, the ovaries of Alaska pollock are sold as tarako (salted cod roe), while the testes of Pacific cod are sold as shirako (cod milt). Shirako is prized as a winter delicacy in sushi restaurants; it is typically enjoyed with ponzu sauce or grated daikon radish, and is also a popular ingredient in miso soup.

Also called Cod or Gray cod or Pacific cod or Codfish.

【Substitute fish】
Cape hake: Merluccius capensis Castelnau
Blue Hake, Hoki and New Zealand Whip-tail: Macruronus novaezelandiae (Hector, 1871)
Southern blue whiting: Micromesistius australis Norman, 1937
Largemouth bass (Black bass): Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède,1802)

【Related contents】
What is Shirako?

List of White flesh fish (Shiromi)

(Updated May 26, 2026)