MentaikoSome stores
Same weight, sliced
Closest match — also salted pollock roe, usually a bit milder and often lightly spiced.
▲ spicier
Ingredient guide
Myeongran-jeot / salted pollock roe 명란젓
Myeongran-jeot is pollock roe salted and fermented. It is eaten as a rice side, folded into rolled omelets and mixed into rice or soups for a salty, savory pop.
Taste
Salty, savory and rich, with tiny popping eggs.
What to look for
Packs or tubs in the refrigerated or frozen section of Korean markets. Color ranges from pale pink to red when seasoned.
Storing it
Keep refrigerated and use within the date; freeze for longer.
How to find Myeongran-jeot / salted pollock roe, anywhere
Works in any country — look for these names, in these kinds of shops.
Names to look for
- myeongran-jeot
- salted pollock roe
- myeongranjeot
- mentaiko (Japanese)
- 명란젓
Show this at the shop명란젓
Where to look
- Korean grocery stores, refrigerated section (sold in tubs or jars)
- Asian supermarkets with a Korean aisle
- Online Korean grocers
Watch out for
- Jeotgal is very salty and keeps its smell — a little goes a long way.
- Do not confuse it with caviar-style roe; it is salty and not meant to be eaten by the spoonful.
Can't find Myeongran-jeot / salted pollock roe? Use this instead
Honest swaps, with amounts per unit of the original and how the dish will change.
Tarako (salted cod roe)Some stores
Same weight, sliced
Milder and without the chili; add a pinch of chili flakes if you like.
▲ milder
Where to buy it near you
More Korean ingredients
Green onion
대파
Fresh and mildly sweet with a gentle onion bite that mellows when cooked.
Gochujang
고추장
Spicy-sweet and savory with a fermented depth; the heat varies by brand.
Baechu Kimchi
배추김치
Sour, salty, spicy and savory. It gets tangier the longer it ferments.
Gosari
고사리
Earthy and subtle, with a chewy texture.