Uni is the Japanese word for the edible part of the sea urchin and often used in nigiri sushi, sashimi, or served with salad and pasta.  Uni Sushi is a stable in many Japanese restaurants.

What is uni (sea urchin)?

Uni is actually a sea urchin’s gonads, which produce the roe. The spiny, globular urchin is harvested from the ocean, and then cleaned and carefully cut open. Each sea urchin contains 5 creamy orange color “lobes” (see the picture below) and it’s a very delicate process to harvest uni as the meat falls apart very easily. It looks like cow’s tongue and can be unsightly for some people.

There are different grades of uni based on freshness, color and texture.  Grade A is the highest grade with bright golden color and a firm texture. It’s slightly sweet and the most expensive.  Grade B has a muted yellow color with a softer texture and is less sweet. Grade C is the lowest grade and often the leftover parts. 

What does uni taste like?

Uni is a delicacy in many parts of the world: it’s briny, creamy, and slightly sweet with a strong ocean smell. Uni has a custard-like consistency and is buttery in texture. It’s a similar experience to eating tobiko or oysters and tastes slightly different from one region to another. It’s often an acquired taste and I absolutely love it.

Nutrition value and health benefits

Uni is a good source of proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. It’s a healthy option with few calories and great for weight loss diet. A 100gram uni contains 172 calories and very little fat, mostly unsaturated fat.

Ways to use uni sea urchin

Uni tastes best when it’s fresh and raw, but it can also be cooked gently in dishes such as pasta. Below are a few ways to use uni:

Uni Sushi

It’s a staple sushi item in most sushi restaurants in Japan. Uni Sushi is seasoned rice wrapped in seaweed sheet and then topped with raw uni. It can also be served with salmon roes. 

Seafood Bowl

Also called Kaisen Don, seafood bowl is a combination of seafood and rice. Uni is often added to the bowl together with other seafood and salmon roes.

Uni Salad

Also called sea urchin ceviche, raw uni can be added to vegetable salad together with cucumbers, onions, etc. 

Uni Pasta

Uni can be added to pasta either raw or cooked. It makes a delicious “wafu” Japanese style pasta. 

How to make uni nigiri sushi

• First cut a nori seaweed sheet into 5 strips.
• Wet your hands with vinegar water and shape a handful of rice into an oval shape.
• Wrap a strip of nori around the rice, leaving about 1/2 inch at the top.
• Place a piece of uni on top of the rice.
• Serve with optional soy sauce and wasabi. 

Is uni raw?

Yes, uni is often served raw in nigiri sushi, sashimi, or salad. It can also be cooked with pasta. 

Why is uni so expensive?

Although sea urchins can be found in all of the world’s oceans, they’re difficult to harvest. In addition, the edible parts inside are delicate and only taste good when fresh. As result, they’re quite expensive. 

In summary, uni has gained great popularity around the world. If you like sashimi or fish roe, you should definitely give it a try. It’s a special Japanese delicacy worth discovering. 

Other Japanese Ingredients You Might Like: 

• Tobiko
• Yamagobo
• Oshinko