About Aji no Mentaiko Kikuya

Hello travelers! It’s Maru, your SaruKuma writer 🙂🙃

Today I’m taking you to a wonderful little shop in Kokubu, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City:
“Aji no Mentaiko Kikuya” — a specialist shop for Japan’s famous spicy cod roe (mentaiko).

I happened to be driving by when I spotted a banner fluttering in the wind:

“Mentaiko French Bread” — and at a real mentaiko specialist shop, no less!

Curiosity got the better of me 😋 I had to try it!
So in I went \(^o^)/

The shop sits near Shin-Suizenji Station — easy to reach by tram or train if you’re staying in central Kumamoto.

Parking is available right in front of the shop.

Even though it was my first visit, the staff welcomed me warmly with smiles all around 💛

The kind of place that makes you feel glad you stopped by (^O^)

And here it is — the famous Mentaiko French Bread corner ✨

Plain — 180 yen
Cheese — 220 yen
Spicy — 220 yen

Heads up — only 50 are made each day! Get there early if you don’t want to miss out.

And here’s the mentaiko showcase ♪

Mentaiko (spicy salted cod roe) makes a fantastic Japanese souvenir — it’s a popular gift here, and I often grab some myself when visiting family back home.

Kikuya uses premium Japanese cod roe (tarako) sourced from Rausu in Hokkaido, harvested from Japan’s coastal waters.

Even better — each batch is hand-crafted by an artisan who trained directly under the founder of “Fukuya” in Fukuoka, the legendary shop credited with creating spicy mentaiko itself. Only a handful of craftsmen received this direct teaching, so every piece carries serious culinary heritage (^O^)

Getting hungry yet? 😋

I also spotted intriguing varieties like seared (aburi) spicy mentaiko and smoked spicy mentaiko — definitely worth a try (ﾟ∀ﾟ)

Other crowd favorites: the great-value “kireko” (cut-piece) pack at 1,080 yen, and the seasoned herring roe (kazunoko) also at 1,080 yen!

You’ll also find takana-zuke (pickled mustard greens) and other side dishes lined up.

Plus dried fish like shishamo (smelt) and urume-iwashi (round herring) — perfect partners for a bowl of steamed rice \(^o^)/

Aji no Mentaiko Kikuya — Recommended Picks

First up, I picked up the Spicy Mentaiko Kireko Pack (1,080 yen) as a souvenir for my mom!

For home use, the kireko (cut pieces) version is more than enough — same flavor, better price.

I may have said “souvenir,” but of course I had to taste-test it myself first (^O^)

Wow — those plump roe beads from Hokkaido tarako really pop in your mouth!
It’s a clean, refined mentaiko where the quality of the fish roe truly shines through 😍

The spicy heat is perfectly balanced — the kind that makes you reach for another bite of rice, then another (^^)

Now, if mentaiko this delicious gets spread on French bread, you just know it’s going to be incredible…

Behold — the Mentaiko French Bread, Plain (180 yen)

Topped with shredded nori (seaweed). Mentaiko + nori + French bread = a delicious Japanese-French fusion 🇯🇵🇫🇷

The bread is pre-scored into four sections, so it’s easy to share or eat on the go ♪

Look at all that mentaiko! ❤︎

You can clearly see the abundance of those beautiful roe beads.
The rich, buttery mentaiko sauce soaks deep into the French bread for a truly satisfying bite 😋

I’m not sure who first invented mentaiko bread — maybe the same logic as “if it goes with rice, it’ll go with bread” (and pasta, while we’re at it)…

Next up, the Mentaiko French Bread, Spicy (220 yen)

See that bright red sauce on top? That’s the extra-spicy kick!

This one packs noticeable heat — spicy enough to make you pause, but so good you keep going back for more. I had a blast eating it 😄

I’m not the strongest with spice, but I genuinely loved every bite ✨

The definition of more-ish — you’ll find yourself reaching for another piece before you know it 😍

Domestic shipping for gifts is available, and credit cards are accepted.

The friendly staff are happy to help with gift recommendations too — perfect for picking up something to take home 🎶

Don’t miss the mentaiko or the legendary Mentaiko French Bread on your next visit to Kumamoto \(^o^)/

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Frequently Asked Questions

※ Information was accurate at the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change — please confirm before visiting.