Seafood
Sea urchin
ウニ うに uni
Also known asuni
At its best in Jun, Jul, Aug
When it is at its best
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
In seasonAvailable
How to cook
Fresh sea urchin roe
Eaten as is, or on sushi and rice bowls.
Grilled sea urchin roe
Lightly grilled to bring out the aroma.
Uni-don (sea urchin over rice)
Heaped over warm rice.
Pasta
Works well in a cream sauce.
How to choose
Well-defined, unbroken lobes with vivid colour and no wateriness.
Storage
Spoils quickly; eat the same day. Tray-packed roe varies in taste depending on the firming agent used.
Main areas
Good to know
Bafun uni is rich and sweet; murasaki uni is lighter. The part eaten is the gonad.
