Sushi term
Ikura いくら
Ikura is salmon roe — glossy orange spheres the size of small pearls that burst with a clean rush of salty-sweet brine. It's one of the most visually striking things on any sushi menu.
The pop is the point
Each egg is cured in salt or soy so it holds a taut skin that breaks between your teeth. Overcured ikura turns hard and overly salty; fresh ikura is delicate and almost sweet.
How it's served
Most often as gunkan-maki over rice, in chirashi bowls, or piled generously over rice as ikura-don.
Insider tip. The word ikura comes from the Russian word for fish eggs — a small trace of Japan's northern trade history on your plate.
Where to try Ikura near you
Top-rated sushi spots on Yes Ichiban with real, orderable online menus:
Bayridge Sushi
Kissimmee, FL · ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.8
VOLCANO STEAK AND SUSHIDULUTH, GA · ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.7
Royal SushiChicago, IL · ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.7
Bayridge SushiLongwood, FL · ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.7
Volcano Steak & SushiWEST BERLIN, NJ · ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.7
Mikata Japanese Grill & SushiKnoxville, TN · ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.6