Pop Japan

If you've ever wondered what those tiny, orange, glassy spheres are on top of you're sushi and if they're safe to eat, worry no more. They're just tobiko. 

Tobiko is flying fish roe, basically fish eggs. Think of it as caviar, only the fish hatching the eggs is of a different kind. Tobiko is usually used in sushi. Its crunchy texture and smoky-salty taste amps up the flavor of your typical sushi.  The vibrant color gives the sushi an extra bang. Some restaurants infuse the tobiko with color for the green, red, and black varieties. Some even take a step further by introducing spicy wasabi-infused tobiko. 

So next time you grab a bite of sushi, don't throw these small orange pebble-like thingies away and savor their distinct taste instead. 

Photo by sfllaw. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Tags: others, sushi, Tobiko, flying fish roe, fish eggs, food, caviar, crunchy texture, wasabi infused tobiko