If you’re into quirky local spots, check out Mentai Park – a small theme park dedicated to spicy cod roe (mentaiko), run by the brand Kanefuku. You can watch how mentaiko is made in the factory, sample fresh ones for free, and even buy limited-edition snacks and onigiri right at the source.
One of the strangest (but kind of fun) things to try is the mentaiko soft serve – yes, cod roe ice cream! It’s creamy with a salty umami twist… not for everyone, but worth a try if you’re adventurous.
There’s a location near Tokyo:
📍Mentai Park Oarai
茨城県東茨城郡大洗町磯浜町8255-3
(about 90 mins from Tokyo by train)
It’s free to enter and doesn’t take more than 1–2 hours, so it’s a fun and easy stop if you’re exploring off the beaten path.
by Sharrylovetrip
9 Comments
Gross. I’d love to try it.
I love mentaiko so I will likely not hesitate to try a mentaiko ice cream. I have tried udon ice cream in Kagawa and shirasu ice cream in Enoshima too so strange ice cream is not outside my comfortzone! I believe there’s a mentaiko park in our area in Kobe as well so I might check that out.
I love all things mentaiko but not a fan of sweet/savory combos in general.
I’d definitely try it. Oddly enough, seafood works well with ice cream. One New Year’s Eve at a restaurant I was exec at we did a foie gelato on top of kumomoto oysters with a champagne mignonette (stabilized and then charged with nitrous put into an isi whip so it would foam) and topped with Beluga caviar that was honestly one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth.
neat!!
My Japanese mother in law cringed 😬
I would try the hell out of that. It’s just weird enough to appeal to me. Plus, I like fish eggs.
Yesssss! I visited the one in Kobe Sanda after my mother mentioned about this place she saw on some person’s blog.
Their food court/canteen is reasonably priced and you can get the traditional menti don from the first photo and mention spaghetti which is my absolute fave
Perhaps blur the people’s faces before posting?