Fish roe
Pacific cod milt (Madara shirako)
【Nigiri sushi: Gyoran】
Shirako refers to the milt (testes) of fish. Pacific cod milt (Madara shirako) is known for becoming more flavorful as the cold weather deepens. Fresh shirako has a translucent, milky-white appearance. When placed in the mouth, it offers a gentle springy texture before melting away into a smooth, custard-like consistency reminiscent of fresh cream. It has a rich, deep flavor with no fishy odor, allowing its refined sweetness and umami to be fully appreciated.
Furthermore, the mild acidity of vinegared rice helps cut through the richness of the shirako, creating an elegant and clean finish. For this reason, madara shirako is highly prized at high-end sushi restaurants as one of the signature seasonal ingredients of winter.
Season
Winter