What looks like little white brains or rather unappealing gooey blobs, is actually a Japanese delicacy. Shirako literally translates to ‘white children’ but refers to what is known as ‘milt’ in English – the sperm sac of fish filled with seminal fluid.

It is usually harvested from cod (tara) but can also be found from anglerfish (ankō), salmon (sake), squid (ika) and pufferfish (fugu). Shirako is mainly available in winter as this is when most types of the seminal fluid are in season. During this time, it is served in both raw and cooked form in restaurants all over Japan, sometimes also under the names ‘kiku’ or ‘tachi’. The most common way of preparing the sperm sacs is to boil or steam them for a short time. Apart from this, they can also be found pan-fried or deep-fried as a snack or as toppings for other dishes like Sushi.

Fried Shirako tempura, Japanese delicacy from fish miltSo What Does Shirako Taste Like?

Although milt is a very common dish in Japan, many people consider it a rather acquired taste. It could be describes as sweet and custardy; very subtle and delicate with a slight fishiness that makes it easily distinguishable from similar-looking dairy products.

The texture of the sperm sac highly depends on the way it is served. While the raw Shirako is soft, creamy and slippery, it becomes slightly more firm and the individual sections become more defined after cooking it. Many Japanese people love it for its smooth, velvety consistency. For beginners, however, it is probably “safer” to start with the Tempura version. The batter will help you forget what it is you are eating so that you can focus on the delicious taste.

While caviar enjoys a worldwide reputation as an exclusive and appetizing delicacy, milt is rather a strange curiosity. Even though Shirako is simply the male version of caviar – basically the ‘eggs’ of male fish – its appearance and the knowledge of what it actually is, often creates a feeling of disgust with many people. But not only the Japanese have established milt in their cuisine. The seminal fluid is a common ingredient or topping in local dishes in Italy, Romania or Russia as well.

You love discovering extraordinary delicacies like Shirako? Then check out our collection of the most curious foods from around the world!

 

 


Similar to:

Lattume from Italy
Lapți from Romania
Moloka from Russia


Find more food and drinks from Japan here.


Images:
A Week In Tokyo 60 by Tokyo Times, licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
DSC07530 by takaokun, licensed under CC BY 2.0