There are about 900 species of sea urchin, of which at least one hundred inhabit Japan’s waters. The most common to find on the market are: bafun-uni, murasaki-uni (purple), ezo-bafun-uni, aka-uni (red), and kita-murasaki-uni. The habitats, seasons, and flavours of these sea urchins vary depending on the type. The fishing period also changes from port to port, which is crucial for the preservation of the species.
Fresh sea urchins are sweet and rich in essential nutrients, such as echinenone, a pigment performing the same functions as vitamin A, vitamins B1 and B2, glutamine and omega-3 fatty acids, which are instrumental in improving blood circulation. In addition to being good for health, sea urchins are also beneficial to the skin, making it strong and well-nourished.
Sea urchins are said to taste like the pure, deep ocean. Let us introduce you to the best restaurants in Tokyo where you can have a sea urchin galore.
Tsukiji: Sushi-kuni
If you are hungry for carefully selected sea urchins, this is the place to go. An extremely popular dish at Sushi-kuni is kobore uni-don, literally meaning “rice bowl overflowing with sea urchins”. The shop is small and people start queuing before it opens. Be warned: kobore uni-don will be sold out in no time.