Masago or smelt roe are the edible eggs of the capelin fish. They’re loaded with protein, nutrients, and vitamin B12. But people with high blood pressure or seafood allergies should be cautious when considering this ingredient.

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Fish roe are the fully ripened eggs of many types of fish, including sturgeon, salmon, and herring.

Masago is the roe of capelin, a small fish found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Arctic oceans.

A popular ingredient in Asian cuisine, masago is sought after for its distinct taste and considered a specialty product.

This article looks at the nutrition, benefits, downsides, and uses of masago.

Smelt roe — commonly known as masago — are the edible eggs of the capelin fish (Mallotus villosus), which belong to the smelt family.

They’re considered a forage fish, meaning they’re an important food source for larger predators, such as codfish, seabirds, seals, and whales.

These small, silvery-green fish closely resemble sardines.

Though the flesh of capelin is edible, it’s most sought after by fishermen to create other products, including masago.

About 80% of harvested capelin is used to produce fishmeal and fish oil products, while the remaining 20% is used to produce masago (1).

Female capelin begin releasing eggs at around 2–4 years of age and continue spawning until their death.

Masago is harvested from female capelin when the fish are full of eggs but before they have the chance to spawn.

It’s commonly used as an ingredient in sushi rolls and is pale yellow, though it’s often dyed bright hues — such as orange, red, or green — to add visual interest to dishes.

It has a mild flavor and is sometimes mixed with ingredients like wasabi, squid ink, or ginger.

Masago vs. tobiko

Masago is often confused with tobiko — the eggs or roe of flying fish. Although similar, tobiko and masago have key differences.

Masago is smaller and less expensive than tobiko, which is why it’s used as a popular substitute for tobiko in sushi rolls.

Unlike the naturally bright red hue of tobiko, masago has a dull yellow color and is often dyed to enhance visual interest.

While masago tastes similar to tobiko, it has a less crunchy texture. Overall, tobiko and masago are very similar, yet tobiko is considered a more high-end sushi ingredient due to its cost and quality.

Summary

Masago is harvested from female capelin fish before they have a chance to spawn. It’s commonly used as an ingredient in sushi and often dyed to add visual interest to dishes.

Like other types of fish roe, masago is low in calories but high in many important nutrients.

Just 1 ounce (28 grams) of fish roe contains (2):

  • Calories: 40
  • Fat: 2 grams
  • Protein: 6 grams
  • Carbs: less than 1 gram
  • Vitamin C: 7% of the Daily Value (DV)
  • Vitamin E: 10% of the DV
  • Riboflavin (B2): 12% of the DV
  • Vitamin B12: 47% of the DV
  • Folate (B9): 6% of the DV
  • Phosphorus: 11% of the DV
  • Selenium: 16% of the DV

Fish roe is particularly high in vitamin B12, a water-soluble vitamin that you must get from foods or supplements, as your body cannot produce it on its own.

Vitamin B12 is critical for many functions, including red blood cell development, energy production, nerve transmission, and DNA synthesis (3).

Fish roe like masago is low in carbs but rich in protein and healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids.

These polyunsaturated fats help regulate inflammation and are vital for the proper function of your immune system, heart, hormones, and lungs (4).

Additionally, fish roe is packed with amino acids — the building blocks of protein — especially lysine, valine, histidine, leucine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine. Leucine and lysine are essential for protein synthesis and muscle repair (5, 6).

Summary

Fish roe is low in calories yet high in nutrients like healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Like other types of seafood, masago is nutritious and offers a variety of health benefits.

A rich source of high quality protein

Though tiny in size, masago packs a powerful punch of protein.

A single 1-ounce (28-gram) serving delivers 6 grams of high quality protein — about the same as one large (50-gram) egg (7).

Compared with carbs and fat — two other macronutrients — protein is the most satiating and helps manage hunger (8).

Adding protein-rich foods like masago to your diet can help you stay satisfied and prevent overeating, which can promote weight management (9).

Fish roe is a complete protein, meaning it has all nine essential amino acids your body needs.

A natural source of selenium and vitamin B12

Masago is a good source of selenium, a mineral that acts as a powerful antioxidant in your body.

Found in concentrated amounts in seafood, selenium reduces oxidative stress and plays critical roles for your thyroid and immune system (10).

Research shows that increased blood levels of selenium may enhance immune response and prevent mental decline, though the results are inconclusive (11, 12, 13).

Masago is also high in vitamin B12, which is critical for nerve health and energy production, as well as other important bodily functions (14).

High in omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fats are polyunsaturated fats with many powerful health benefits.

These special fats regulate inflammation, control blood clotting, and are an integral part of your cell membranes.

Research indicates that higher dietary intake of foods rich in omega-3 fats is associated with a lower risk of heart conditions, including heart failure and coronary artery disease (15, 16).

Fish and fish products like masago are some of the best dietary sources of omega-3 fats.

Low in mercury

Because capelin is a small forage fish, it tends to be much lower in mercury than larger fish like mackerel and swordfish.

What’s more, research shows that fish roe tends to be lowest in mercury when compared with other parts of the fish like organs and muscle tissue (17).

For this reason, fish roe like masago can be safely consumed by those who want to keep their mercury exposure to a minimum.

Summary

Masago is high in important nutrients like protein, vitamin B12, selenium, and omega-3 fats, which may offer various health benefits. In addition, it’s low in mercury, allowing you to limit your exposure to this heavy metal.

Though masago offers some health benefits, it has potential downsides as well.

Ecological concerns about capelin fishing

While masago may be a better choice than other types of seafood, buyers should be aware of some concerns about the bycatch of endangered and overfished species related to capelin fishing methods.

Environmental organizations express uncertainties about capelin populations and concerns regarding certain fishing methods (18).

As egg-bearing female capelins are often targeted to support the demand for masago, some environmental groups worry that this method may negatively affect the species’ population over time (19).

High sodium content

Like most other fish roe, masago is high in sodium.

What’s more, masago is often mixed with salty ingredients — such as soy sauce and salt — to enhance its taste, which increases the sodium content of the final product.

Excess salt consumption may harm your health and lead to increased blood pressure in salt-sensitive people (20, 21).

Risk of allergic reaction

Since masago is a seafood product, those who are allergic to fish and shellfish should avoid it.

Fish roe contains vitellogenin, a fish egg yolk protein identified as a potential allergen (22).

What’s more, fish roe can even cause allergic reactions in people without seafood allergies. These include rashes, a narrowing of the airways, and low blood pressure (23).

In Japan, fish roe is the sixth most common food allergen (24).

Can be combined with other ingredients

Those who consume masago may want to be mindful of the ingredients with which it’s commonly combined, such as high fructose corn syrup and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Regular consumption of high fructose corn syrup is linked to disrupted metabolism, insulin resistance, and inflammation (25).

MSG is a common food additive used to enhance flavor in products like masago.

There is little quality evidence to show that MSG causes adverse reactions; however, some people do report experiencing headache, weakness and flushing of the skin after comsuming MSG (26).

Summary

Masago may be high in sodium and contain ingredients like MSG and high fructose corn syrup, which some people may want or need to limit. Additionally, certain capelin fishing methods raise ecological concerns.

Masago is a unique ingredient that can be used in a number of ways.

Its semi-crunchy texture and salty flavor make it a perfect addition to Asian-inspired dishes or appetizers.

It can be purchased through numerous seafood vendors in many flavors, such as ginger, wasabi, and squid ink.

Here are some ways to add masago to your diet:

  • Top homemade sushi rolls with a few teaspoons of masago.
  • Combine masago, cheese, and fruit on a plate for a tasty appetizer.
  • Use masago to flavor rice dishes.
  • Spoon masago onto poke bowls for a unique topping.
  • Add masago to Asian noodle dishes.
  • Top fish with masago for a flavorful recipe twist.
  • Mix masago into wasabi or spicy mayonnaise to flavor sushi rolls.

Because masago is usually high in salt, you only need a small amount to create a powerful punch of flavor.

Though it’s most often used in Asian cuisine, masago can be incorporated into many recipes that would pair well with something salty.

Summary

Masago can be added to Asian dishes like noodles, rice, and sushi. It can also be incorporated into dips and used as a topping for fish.

Masago or smelt roe are the edible eggs of the capelin fish.

They’re loaded with protein and nutrients like omega-3s, selenium, and vitamin B12.

Be mindful about roe products that contain additional ingredients like added salt, MSG, or high fructose corn syrup, limit masago if you have high blood pressure, and avoid it completely if you’re allergic to seafood.

However, if you can tolerate seafood and are looking for an interesting ingredient that will add a distinct flavor to your recipes, give masago a try.