Where to find green (wasabi) tobiko?

[BobB]

I'm looking to recreate a spectacular dish I had on the cape last weekend (tuna mango tartare with black sesame seeds and green tobiko) and need to find a local source for the wasabi tobiko.

I'd only ever had orange tobiko, so I was intrigued when the dish came out garnished with bright green roe. I googled it and found that while tobiko is naturally orange, flavored versions are produced as well (green with wasabi, black with squid ink, red with chili, etc).

Anybody seen this around?

[hotoynoodle]

don't know how you googled it, but tobiko is not naturally orange -- it's pale yellow. it's heavily processed, centrifuged, loaded with preservatives and can be dyed many colors. it's actually pretty nasty stuff, but very sturdy.

i've only ever seen it sold on-line.

[BobB]

This site http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/28511/tobiko_a_cooks_introduction_to_using.html?cat=22 says it's naturally orange and that yellow tobiko is infused with ginger. But it doesn't look very authoritative. Then again, wikipedia (although also not the most reliable source) says the same thing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobiko

But I don't really care what the natural color is, I'm trying to find the green version. The on-line sites I found that sell it do so in large quantities (a pound or more), I was hoping to find a shop in Boston that will sell me a more reasonable quantity for home use.

I found a thread on the San Francisco board where someone asked the same question and was referred to a shop in Berkeley, so I know it's possible. Of course I understand that CA has a much larger Japanese population than MA, but I'm still hopeful.

EDIT: I found a place in New York that will sell me 4 oz for $15, but overnight shipping would more than double that. So I continue to hope for a local vendor.

[kobuta]

I used to see them at (RIP) Kotobukiya so you may want to try the remaining Japanese markets. I think I recall seeing them once at Kam Man, but it's not an item I normally look for so I can't say for certain they carry it all the time (normal tobiko I see frequently).

[steinpilz]

I'll check the new Brookline Japanese market for it.

[steinpilz]

When there today, I'd say that with the exception of fresh fish and meat they have a selection comparable to Kotobukiya thought the space is about 50% smaller.

They had some very nice looking salmon, tuna, and toro in the fridge but many pieces were too large for my liking (similar prices to Kotobukiya).

I didn't see any other fish or seafood or tobiko or uni or ikura, I did see some some roe sacks in the freezer (maybe herring).

There were several as yet unused refirgerated displays and I'm optimistic that we'll see more seafood and meat over time.

[hotoynoodle]

if it's a dish you'll make a few times, the eggs will freeze just fine.

[BobB]

Good to know, thanks!

[smokedcheese]

to: BobB

Hi, I'm looking to purchase green tobiko in the nyc area and I'm not sure where. You mentioned that you found a place that sells it. Could you let me know where?

If anyone else knows where, please let me know. Willing to travel the 5 boroughs.

Thanks for the help.

[BobB]

Sorry - I googled it at the time and found a place in NY, but I don't remember the name. The same search now turns up nothing on the east coast.

[joebloe]

I have seen it in Food Pak Express at New Market Square. They'll ask you for a membership number but will sell anything to you for a few cents more if you have no membership.

[trufflehound]

I used to get it at Trader Joes during the holidays.

[9lives]

I've seen it at Sea to You on the Fish Pier; next to NoName. They used to be a very good source of fish but have severely gone downhill and now supply many of the "bargain" tyype sushi places. That said , their tobiko should be fine. Call first for hours and availability...Sat's only

http://www.seatoyouboston.com/

[Mr Bigglesworth]

new deal carries it from time to time. call carl and ask if he can get it for ou.