Want to really raise the bar on your next dinner party?
Masago sushi is your jam. The bright orange roe from capelin fish isn’t only a vibrant visual—it gives your dishes a nice, crunchy pop of umami too.
Whether you’re having a classy dinner party or just treating yourself on a work night to some serious foodie action, here are five creative masago sushi ideas to blow any crowd away…and they’re so easy and fun to make!
Here are a few reasons that explain why masago sushi is so in demand:
- Vibrant Presentation: It can turn ordinary dishes into very vibrant ones because of its bright colour.
- Flavor Boost: A rather mild saltiness and savoriness of masago pops the other flavors in your dish.
- Texture: The eggs are barely perceptible, but they are there, and they add a pleasant textural contrast to just about every bite.
With those benefits in mind, here are five inspiring ways to use masago to make your dinner party unforgettable.
1. Masago-Stuffed Sushi Rolls
Take your ordinary sushi rolls to the next level by stuffing masago right into the filling!
What You’ll Need:
- Cooked and seasoned sushi rice
- Nori sheets
- Crab meat or imitation crab sticks
- Thin cucumber strips
- Avocado slices
- Masago for filling and garnishing
How to Make It:
- Place a nori sheet down over the bamboo sushi mat, shiny side down.
- Spread a single layer of sushi rice over the nori.
- Fill with cucumber, avocado, and crab meat.
- Spread plenty of masago on top of the filling for the extra crunch.
- Roll up tightly with a bamboo mat and cut into bite-sized pieces. Finish by topping off with more masago for extra color and crunch.
Variation Tip: Swap the crab stick for spicy tuna or smoked salmon for a special twist. Ready to roll sushi but need some directions to make it perfect?
2. Masago Sushi Bowls (Deconstructed Rolls)
If you’re not keen on rolling sushi, there’s no need. Enjoy those incredible flavors with half the work in the form of sushi bowls. It’s also extremely flexible!
What You’ll Need:
- Sushi rice
- Diced sashimi-grade fish (e.g., tuna or salmon)
- Avocado cubes
- Sliced cucumber
- Edamame
- Spicy mayo, then soy sauce to drizzle
- Masago on top
How to Make It:
- Sushi rice first in a bowl, layer.
- Diced fish, avocado, cucumber, and edamame are placed on top.
- Complete your sushi bowl by sprinkling masago and drizzling with spicy mayo.
Pro Tip: Use several small bowls for individual portions or one large serving dish for everyone to mix and match their own toppings. For more inspiration, check out these sushi bowl ideas.
3. Rainbow Masago Sushi Roll
This creation isn’t just for eating; it’s a visual masterpiece! The vibrant masago complements the colors of fresh fish in an unforgettable rainbow effect.
What You need
- Sushi rice and nori sheets
- Fillings (like cucumber, carrot, and cream cheese)
- Thin slices of sashimi-grade fish (tuna, salmon, and yellowtail)
- Red, orange, and black masago varieties
How to Make:
1. Wrap your nori and sushi rice around the filling ingredients.
2. Thin slices of tuna, salmon, and yellowtail spread over the top of the roll
3. Decorate with alternating lines of different-colored masago all through the roll And, of course, soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi for dipping. Each one really will be an artwork! —
4. Mini Masago Sushi Tacos
When tacos meet sushi, you’ve quirky food but an oh-so-tasty dish. These dainty lovelies should reign as a hit at any dinner bash. –
You’ll need:
- Buy small wonton wrappers, or can even use pre-made crispy taco shells.
- Freshly diced tuna or salmon sashimi
- Sliced avocados
- Dress with the spicy mayo
- Top off with a sprinkle of masago for color.
How to Make It:
- Fry the wonton wrappers in oil to make taco shells – if you want; otherwise, just use pre-made shells.
- Stuff fresh fish, avocado, and spicy mayo into the shells.
- Top with a generous sprinkle of masago, and that’s it; you are done with your work of art.
Serve as appetizers or accompany your main sushi spread. However, they’re almost as much fun to eat as they are to make!
Pro Tip: Add jalapenos — thinly sliced — or drizzle it with eel sauce for that extra punch of flavor.
5. Spicy Mayo Masago Pizza Sushi
This sushi variation is just about as thrilling as it sounds. The crispy sushi rice base serves as the stage instead of a traditional crust.
What You’ll Need:
- Sushi rice (pressed and fried into a round crust)
- Spicy mayo as a “pizza sauce”
- Sliced sashimi (salmon, tuna, or white fish)
- Avocado slices
- Masago for topping
How to Make It:
- Shape and flatten cooked sushi rice into a round base.
- Fry the base till it turns golden with crispy edges.
- Coat the crust lightly with home made spicy mayo.
Top with evenly distributed sashimi slices, avocado, and masago. Slice and serve just like a regular pizza. A sharp kitchen knife would be ideal for cleaner slices.
Final Touches to Wow Your Guests
Do you want your dinner to be even more impressive? Here are a few bonus tips for working with masago sushi:
Play with Colors: Besides orange, masago can also be found in green (wasabi-flavored) and black (squid ink-infused) forms.
Use unexpected contrasts. Pair Masago with a creamy mayo-based dressing or ponzu sauce with lemon or lime, or white fish.
Storing Masago: Keep the masago that has not been refrigerated since it tastes best when fresh.
Wrapping It Up
Masago with a base of rice, with the mix, can make the average meal pop into something very spectacular when rolling up sushi, building bowls, or crafting sushi tacos.
These five out-of-the-box ideas are just the starting point; take inspiration from them to come up with your very own line of signature masago dishes. Feeling inspired now?
If you’re going to cook, get your sushi mat, and see more tips. Let’s make your dinner the center of a complete culinary performance!
