In search of Tobiko

I am looking for a local source for some Tobiko(flying fish Roe) for a recipe I am thinking of. I know of a few mail order spots I can order it from, but I dont like ordering things on the net(no patience). I would prefer a local source, and preferably in the west, or southwest suburbs, however I am obviously willing to travel if Mitsuwa up north is the only option.

thanks for any help.

Trader Joe's used to carry a variety of colors (and may very well still carry it, I just haven't been on the lookout).

spinynorman99 wrote:Trader Joe's used to carry a variety of colors.

thanks, good stuff? I havent been to a Trder Joes, in a couple years.

Salty, crunchy. Whole Foods would likely have it too.

Hell, just stop by a sushi place and buy a small quantity.

The next ABT experiment ?

spinynorman99 wrote:Salty, crunchy. Whole Foods would likely have it too.

Hell, just stop by a sushi place and buy a small quantity.

the Whole Foods, and TJ's sound like an easy starting point. thanks.

tatterdemalion wrote:The next ABT experiment ?

perhaps..

I jut love the stuff, and how it pops.

I saw some very recently for a fabulous price at Jung Boo Market, 3333 N Kimball, if that's not too far west for you. The package was quite big for only $5, so I was trying to figure out how best to showcase it. Share a recipe if you hit a winner!

H-Mart also carries it, sometimes frozen - at least I always see it at the Niles one, I wonder if the Naperville location carries it as well. Grand Mart used to have terrific little frozen plastic containers of all different colors, but sadly they are all closed. It's pretty easy to find frozen, and I'm guessing that much fresh tobikko is actually thawed frozen. Make sure it's tobiko (flying fish roe) and not masago (capelin roe) - I don't really like the latter as much as it has a sweetish flavor and less crunch.

Mhays wrote:H-Mart also carries it, sometimes frozen - at least I always see it at the Niles one, I wonder if the Naperville location carries it as well. Grand Mart used to have terrific little frozen plastic containers of all different colors, but sadly they are all closed. It's pretty easy to find frozen, and I'm guessing that much fresh tobikko is actually thawed frozen. Make sure it's tobiko (flying fish roe) and not masago (capelin roe) - I don't really like the latter as much as it has a sweetish flavor and less crunch.

thanks for the options.

Mail order - definitely not neccesary

Though I've never been, I'd assume that the H Mart in Naperville should have it. I also concur to check the package - Masago is usually a decent amt cheaper than tobiko. Most Asian mkts will have frozen pkgs of masago, but less will have tobiko (in my findings.) If it's a long drive or whatever, just pop into a more local sushi joint and ask them for a few ounces. I do it all the time. Seriously. I usually just tell them that I need it for home cooking, and they can just throw x amount into a styrofoam sauce cup or a few 1 oz plastic dixie cup (which they probably have for "to-go" orders.) If all else fails if there is a lingo barrier, just tell them you want x amt of orders of tobiko to go.

While I don't know what H mart normally has on hand (haven't been there in a year or so, and funny thing, yesterday, while I was in the mkt on broadway and lawrence, wife 1.0 says - "we really need to get back to h mart") I DO know that Mitsuwa usually has black, regular, and wasabi tobiko out in the case ready to rock. Their wasabi tobiko, however, has never had that real "bite" to it.

And, I gotta ask - Are you gonna smoke it?

seebee wrote:Mail order - definitely not neccesary

Though I've never been, I'd assume that the H Mart in Naperville should have it. I also concur to check the package - Masago is usually a decent amt cheaper than tobiko. Most Asian mkts will have frozen pkgs of masago, but less will have tobiko (in my findings.) If it's a long drive or whatever, just pop into a more local sushi joint and ask them for a few ounces. I do it all the time. Seriously. I usually just tell them that I need it for home cooking, and they can just throw x amount into a styrofoam sauce cup or a few 1 oz plastic dixie cup (which they probably have for "to-go" orders.) If all else fails if there is a lingo barrier, just tell them you want x amt of orders of tobiko to go.

While I don't know what H mart normally has on hand (haven't been there in a year or so, and funny thing, yesterday, while I was in the mkt on broadway and lawrence, wife 1.0 says - "we really need to get back to h mart") I DO know that Mitsuwa usually has black, regular, and wasabi tobiko out in the case ready to rock. Their wasabi tobiko, however, has never had that real "bite" to it.

And, I gotta ask - Are you gonna smoke it?

thanks for the tips.

I am thinking about a use for it on the smoker, since i love the texture, and believe it would hold up to a low temp smoke.

I've also seen masago labeled as tobiko, but in english it will say "flying fish roe" or "capelin roe."

Collins Caviar smokes their salmon and whitefish eggs. I'd be more concerned about the tobiko drying out because they're so tiny.

I also recall in the Spain episode of No Reservations Bourdain went to a guy who cooked everything over hardwood, including a smoked caviar.

If you have to experiment best to do it on relatively cheap tobiko.

Also, although it's relatively expensive for a quick experiment, this seems like the perfect application for the Smoking Gun:

http://www.cuisinetechnology.com/thesmokinggun.html

annak wrote: Share a recipe if you hit a winner!

I am going to try to find the tobiko today. I have an email into the local(willowbrook) WHole Foods to see if they have it, if they dont respond by email I will call them. Trader Joes is just too far off my path home, especially on a Friday.

If I can find the tobiko on my way home today, my idea is an ABT using some of the tobiko, making kind of an "ABT roll". not a traditional roll with seaweed, but one with the pepper being the "wrap". I think the texture of the tobiko with the other ingredients would be nice. I will of course post results good or bad.

edit: struck out @ WHole Foods Willowbrook - a special order item.

Ill call trader joes Naperville and see, I guess going out of my way isnt that big of a deal if they have it.

seebee wrote: just pop into a more local sushi joint and ask them for a few ounces. I do it all the time. Seriously. I usually just tell them that I need it for home cooking, and they can just throw x amount into a styrofoam sauce cup or a few 1 oz plastic dixie cup (which they probably have for "to-go" orders.) If all else fails if there is a lingo barrier, just tell them you want x amt of orders of tobiko to go.

score.... !

thanks for this tip, just got off the phone with a place in Darien, and they are glad to help me out.. they even asked me what color I wanted..

Tai San Chef
2813 83rd street
Darien, IL.

www.taisanchef.com

their menu looks good maybe I have found a new lunch spot as well.

grabbed the tobiko ion the way home, picked up orange. $3.00 for a 1 oz cup. Just what I need.

Gonna do ABT's with cream cheese and smoked garlic with a raw shrimp topped with the tobiko. then place a slice of bacon on top of the pepper. not sure if I will do jalapeno boats, or cut the tops off, and stuff the whole pepper.

thinkin it will be good.