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Top 24 Fish Roes in the World

Last update: Wed Feb 19 2025
Top 24 Fish Roes in the World
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Fish Roe Types in the World

01
Osetra Caviar
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Osetra is a prized caviar variety that is harvested from the Russian osetra sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii). Osetra is native to the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov, including their river basins. Since it is a critically endangered species, it is rarely found or caught wild, and caviar is mostly harvested from farmed varieties.


Osetra has medium-sized eggs that often vary in color, flavor, and texture. They typically range from olive green to dark brown, sometimes with an appealing golden hue. Their texture is firm, while the flavor is usually briny, buttery, and distinctively nutty. 
02
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Beluga caviar (the roe of beluga sturgeon) is one of the most prized caviar varieties in the world. Since it can take up to 25 years for the animal to mature and start producing roe, this caviar is extremely rare, expensive, and extravagant. Beluga caviar beads are large, plump, and firm, with a color that can range from light to dark gray.


With a delicate, tender, and almost buttery flavor, beluga caviar can be eaten plain, allowing the complex layers to develop individually. It is also commonly combined with boiled potatoes, blini pancakes, or sour cream. Recently, wild beluga varieties have become critically endangered, partially due to wild poaching in the Caspian Sea, and strong sanctions have been introduced to limit the production, sales, and trade of this rare ingredient.

03
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Tarako is a type of roe mostly harvested from Alaska pollock, but since the fish is closely related to cod, it is often labeled as cod roe. It is a type of salted roe with a light pink color, incredibly tender texture, and a mild and neutral flavor.


This roe can be eaten plain or incorporated into various dishes. It is often used as a topping on rice dishes and sushi, but it can also be cooked and used in sauces. When salted and marinated in spices, it goes under the name mentaiko.

04
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Ikura (also known as salmon roe) are round, almost transparent salmon eggs, an unusual ingredient which is especially popular in Japan. After they have been removed from the sack, creating individual plump orbs, the eggs undergo the curing process which usually includes salt or brine.


During the Taisho period in Japan, which started in 1912, the Russians introduced the tradition of curing salmon roe to the Japanese. However, the Japanese adjusted the recipe to their tastes and started using fragrant soy sauces, sake, and rice wine for curing, giving the roe a deeper and distinctively Japanese flavor. 
05
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Bottarga is an Italian delicacy consisting of a dense, salt-cured fish roe from tuna, mullet, or swordfish that resembles a petrified sausage, as it is first left to harden and is then coated with beeswax. It has a salty flavor with a silky texture.


Bottarga is often grated over pasta or egg dishes, although it can also be cut into smaller pieces, drizzled over with lemon juice, and served as an appetizer.

THE BEST Bottarga Fish Roes
1 Bluefin Tuna Roe - Bottarga
Armatore Srl
Bluefin Tuna Roe - Bottarga

4.7

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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars 2021

06

Caviar

SIBERIAN REGION, Russia and  one more region
4.2
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Siberian sturgeon is mostly prized for its dark and glossy caviar. As the name suggests, Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) is mainly associated with Siberian rivers, lakes, and seas. The population is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, and caviar is mostly harvested from farm-raised sturgeons.


This caviar ranges from dark brown to black, and it typically has medium-sized, glistening beads. The flavor is earthy, nutty, buttery, and subtly sweet. It can be served on its own—preferably well-chilled—or paired with simple dishes such as the classic combination of blini pancakes and crème fraiche. 
07

Fish Roe

JAPAN and  one more region
4.1
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Mentaiko or myeongnanjeot a term describing whole sacks of marinated Alaskan pollock roe, commonly eaten in Japan and South Korea. Quite often, it is mistaken for tarako (salted version), and since Alaska pollock is closely related to cod, the product is often labeled as cod roe.


The marinating process contributes to its savory, salty, and somewhat spicy flavor, which perfectly combines with its creamy texture. It originated in South Korea, where it has been enjoyed since the 17th century. After WWII, it became available in Japan, particularly among the traders in the region of Hakata, and soon it became a prevalent ingredient nationwide. 
08
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This exceptional Greek delicacy, which was first referenced in writing in 1668, is made from whole roe of the gray mullet. The fish are caught in the shallow waters of the lagoons of Messolongi-Etolikos, Kleisova and Bouka between the estuaries of the Aheloos and Evinos rivers in western Greece.


The production of this so-called 'Greek caviar' takes time – once the fish are caught, the roe is gently removed, dried in their membranes, and then salted before they are separated and put into brine. Once they become pale and flat, they are hung to dry for several months. 
09
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Masago is a Japanese term for the capelin roe (Mallotus villosus). The roe usually has small, pale-colored beads, and producers frequently dye it red, black, green (wasabi), or yellow (yuzu). Masago is usually cheaper than similar roe varieties, such as ikura (salmon) or tobiko (flying fish).


It usually has a milder flavor and less crunch, so it is best used as a garnish or paired with neutral-flavored dishes. The most common use of masago is as a sushi garnish—usually as a topping for rolls or hand-rolled sushi. It is often falsely marketed as the slightly more esteemed tobiko.

10
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Salted roe of the sevruga sturgeon is one of the most common and renowned caviar varieties in the world. Native to the Black and Caspian Sea, sevruga reproduces faster than other sturgeon varieties, which makes the caviar plentiful and more affordable.


Although small in size, the crunchy caviar beads are packed with salty, buttery flavors and usually range from light gray to black. Although it is said that this specialty is best enjoyed plain, eaten exclusively with a pearl or wooden spoon and paired with Champagne, sparkling wines, or vodka, it is also commonly combined with blini pancakes, potatoes, or bread.

11
12
13
14
Fish Roe
NORRBOTTEN COUNTY, Sweden
4.2
15
Caviar
BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada
3.9
16
17
18
19
20
Caviar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
n/a
21
Caviar
PROVINCE OF BRESCIA, Italy
n/a
22
Fish Roe
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
n/a
23
24
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Fish Roe Producers in the World

01

Seafood

CARRIL, Spain
5.0
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Founded by Jesús Lorenzo in the 1990s, the Los Peperetes is celebrated for its commitment to traditional, artisanal methods that enhance the natural flavors of its seafood. Known for products like octopus, razor clams, mussels, and sardines, Los Peperetes sources locally from the Galician coast, where the seafood is cleaned, cooked, and packed by hand.


Their meticulous preparation process ensures high-quality taste and presentation, appealing to gourmet and culinary markets worldwide. The brand has become emblematic of Spanish culinary heritage and is recognized in international canned fish rankings.
AWARDS

World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Sardines

2024

World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Tuna

2024

World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Seafood

2024

BEST Los Peperetes Seafoods
02

Seafood

SHREWSBURY, England
5.0
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Caviar & Cocktails is a caviar producer based in Shrewsbury, England. They specialize in offering a variety of caviar products sourced from sustainable sturgeon farms. The company also provides curated cocktail pairings designed to complement their caviar selection.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2022

BEST Caviar & Cocktails Seafoods
03

Condiment

ENGLAND, United Kingdom
4.7
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024, 2023

BEST Osborne & Sons (Shellfish) Condiments
04

Seafood

CETARA, Italy
4.7
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ARMATORE SRL is a bottarga producer based in Cetara, on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. They specialize in sustainable fishing practices and artisanal production methods. The company harvests and processes Mediterranean fish to create high-quality bottarga.


ARMATORE SRL focuses on preserving traditional techniques to maintain the authenticity of their products. They emphasize traceability and sustainability in their production process.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2021

BEST Armatore Srl Seafoods
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Fish Roes in the World

01
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2022

02
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Caviar de Erizo, or sea urchin caviar, from Los Peperetes is a delicacy featuring the roe of sea urchins, highly prized for its unique umami-rich, briny flavor. This product is sustainably harvested along the Spanish coast and carefully processed to preserve its delicate texture and intense taste.


Known for its vibrant orange hue, Caviar de Erizo pairs well with simple dishes that allow its natural flavors to shine, like on toast or mixed into pasta.
AWARDS

World's 101 Best Canned Products from the Sea - Top 10 Special Products

2024

03
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Bluefin Tuna Roe – Bottarga by ARMATORE SRL is a gourmet product made from the roe of Bluefin Tuna. It is traditionally cured and dried to produce a dense, flavorful delicacy, often referred to as the "Mediterranean caviar." This product is typically grated over pasta, salads, or enjoyed as a standalone delicacy due to its rich, umami flavor profile and savory taste.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2021

04
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Osborne's Smoked Cod Roe Mayonnaise is a distinctive product crafted by Osborne & Sons (Shellfish) Limited. This mayonnaise boasts a unique flavor profile derived from the incorporation of high-quality smoked cod roe. Renowned for its creamy texture and rich, umami taste, it serves as a versatile condiment that can enhance a variety of dishes, from sandwiches and salads to gourmet seafood preparations.


The company, Osborne & Sons, has a reputation for using premium ingredients in their products, ensuring that their smoked cod roe mayonnaise meets the high standards of quality and flavor.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2023

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.