![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.zojirushi.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shirako1.jpg\")
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Shirako<\/em>, called milt in English, are the seminal vessels typically harvested from cod, and sometimes from anglerfish, salmon, squid and pufferfish. The harvested sperm sacs are tube-like in shape, usually white or light pink in color, with the layout and consistency of brains. Shirako<\/em> translates into \u201cwhite children\u201d in Japanese.<\/p>\n It\u2019s served in multiple ways, raw, fried, steamed, and as a topping in other dishes. When served raw, the shirako<\/em> is doused in ponzu<\/em> and garnished with grated daikon, shiso<\/em> or finely chopped scallions. In this form, the shirako<\/em> has a mild, creamy texture with a taste like the freshest seafood from the ocean. Shirako<\/em> is also served steamed, sometimes incorporated into chawanmushi<\/em>, an egg and seafood custard, and other times served on its own. More popular ways to eat shirako<\/em> include tempura<\/em>-fried, pan-fried or grilled yakimono<\/em> style. When cooked in these ways, the shirako<\/em> becomes firm and defined on the outside and custard-like on the inside. Shirako<\/em> can also be added to nabe<\/em>, or hotpots, and as part of gunkanmaki<\/em>, or battleship sushi, where it fills a depression created on rice with a nori<\/em> wrap.<\/p>\n Shirako<\/em> is harvested in winter along the cold waters of the Sea of Japan. It\u2019s typically enjoyed as pub food at izakaya<\/em> and sushi bars, with an alcoholic beverage. It can also be found at street food stalls in major markets around Japan, like the Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. A popular version of shirako<\/em> is when it\u2019s served as part of a seafood mix, raw or barely charred, on the half-shell!<\/p>\n As an acquired taste, shirako<\/em> is probably more easily tried than some of the other foods we\u2019ve explored! But for those who love caviar or Russian moloka<\/em>, shirako<\/em> is a great variation on these kinds of foods.<\/p>\n Have you had shirako<\/em> before? If so, tell us about your experience!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Shirako, called milt in English, are the seminal vessels typically harvested from cod, and sometimes from anglerfish, salmon, squid and pufferfish. The harvested sperm sacs are tube-like in shape, usually white or light pink in color, with the layout and consistency of brains. Shirako translates into \u201cwhite children\u201d in Japanese. It\u2019s served in multiple ways, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[742],"tags":[442,443,441,20,16,440,444,412,413,403],"class_list":["post-3301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-an-acquired-taste-of-japan","tag-caviar","tag-codroe","tag-fishsemen","tag-foodie","tag-japan","tag-milt","tag-roe","tag-traditionalfood","tag-traditionaljapanesefood","tag-uniquefoods"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.zojirushi.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shirako-sushi.jpg\")