This week’s Easy College Meal Series is the classic Japanese-fusion Mentaiko Pasta. It’s fancy and indulgent yet ridiculously easy to make. If you have a Dezin Electric Cooker, both cooking and cleaning time will be cut in half. As I always tell my son, “There’s no excuse not to cook and eat well, even if you live in a dorm or are too busy with exams.” Now, let us show you how you, too, can make this special pasta dish in just 10 minutes!
What to Know about Mentaiko Pasta
Mentaiko Pasta (明太子パスタ) is a beloved Japanese fusion dish that combines the best of both worlds: the comforting familiarity of Italian pasta with the rich, briny flavors of mentaiko—spicy salted cod roe. This simple yet decadent wafu pasta (和風パスタ) became popular in Japan in the 1970s and has since become a staple in both home kitchens and restaurants. Known for its creamy, umami-packed sauce, mentaiko pasta delivers a satisfying kick from the mentaiko, balanced by the richness of butter or cream. It’s also quick to make, deeply flavorful, and the perfect example of how Japan effortlessly blends global cuisines into something truly unique. You can find my original Mentaiko Pasta recipe where you can cook the pasta separately for two or more servings in the pot.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Spicy salted pollock (or cod) roe , also known as mentaiko — the one I used has no food coloring, so my finished dish looks less red/pink/orange than other versions. Whole milk Heavy (whipping) cream Unsalted butter Soy sauce Spaghetti Salt and black pepper Toppings: shredded nori seaweed (kizami nori) and shiso leaves (perilla/ooba) (optional)
Where to Buy Mentaiko
You can find (karashi) mentaiko (辛子明太子) in either the refrigerated or frozen section of Japanese or Korean supermarkets. When planning a trip to a Japanese or Korean grocery store, it’s the perfect time to stock up on the special ingredients you need for making Japanese dishes.
Substitution Tips
Milk and Heavy Whipping Cream: You can use “Half and Half” instead of mixing milk and heavy whipping cream. Prefer a lighter sauce? Use whole milk (or reduced-fat milk) only. You can use heavy cream only for a creamier consistency. Butter: You can replace the butter with extra virgin olive oil. Shiso (perilla leaves): This Japanese herb adds a fresh and herbaceous element and a lovely aroma to the creamy and savory pasta. You can buy it at a Japanese/Korean grocery store. If you can’t find it, then you can leave it out. There’s no good substitute for shiso. If you’re adventurous, you can try a tiny bit of mint or basil, or a mix of herbs of your choice, to add a touch of freshness. Please let us know what you experimented with and how it worked.
How To Make One-Pot Mentaiko Pasta
Recipe Tips
Salt the pasta water once it starts boiling. The salted water will help season your spaghetti. You don’t need to break the spaghetti in half if you have a pot large enough to fit the noodles. Here, we cook a single serving in a small Dezin Electric Cooker, so we have to break the pasta to make sure it cooks evenly and remains al dente. When draining the pasta cooking water, use the pot’s lid to keep the spaghetti from falling out. This is convenient if you don’t have a sieve on hand! Adjust the ratio of the butter, milk, and cream to achieve your preferred creaminess. Cook only the portion you need and enjoy it right away. I don’t recommend keeping leftovers, as mentaiko does not reheat well.
How To Store
If you reheat mentaiko, the fish eggs will overcook, so I do not recommend storing and reheating the pasta.
What To Serve with Mentaiko Pasta
You can put together a simple salad by tossing spring mix with any of these easy dressings to pair with the pasta.
Easy College Meal Series
I started sharing this College Meal Series when my son began living in the dorm at his college. All the recipes here are designed for anyone who is interested in learning how to cook simple, fast, and affordable meals. Here are some of the favorites we’ve shared:
10-Minute Fancy Instant Ramen 10-Minute Napolitan (Japanese Ketchup Pasta) 10-Minute Yaki Udon 10-Minute Japanese Curry 10-Minute Oyakodon
As you can see, we use this versatile Dezin Electric Cooker to cook a wide variety of dishes and have been amazed by its functionality and effectiveness. You can use your saucepan or frying pan to cook these dishes instead of the Dezin as well. I hope you enjoy this 10-Minute Mentaiko Pasta Recipe. Don’t miss the video, which my son actually cooked following my recipe on Instagram!
