Why Chum Salmon Roe is the Best Secret Ingredient

If you've ever sat at a sushi bar and marveled at those large, glistening orange pearls topping your gunkan maki, you've probably met chum salmon roe face-to-face. It's one of those ingredients that looks like a luxury item but feels incredibly approachable once you realize how versatile it actually is. Most people just call it "ikura," but there's a reason why the chum variety specifically is the gold standard for most chefs and seafood lovers. ...

May 3, 2026 · 7 min · Rogelio Grubb