いくら
ikura[ikɯ̟ɾa̠]
ikura is the Japanese word for salmon roe.
The term refers specifically to the edible salmon roe often served as a topping for sushi or rice.
Which one should you use?
While this page focuses on the food, be aware that いくら is a homophone with the Japanese interrogative word meaning "how much".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Osaka, people sometimes refer to なんぼ.
How do you pronounce it?
ikura
Did you know?
- While ikura is the standard term in Japan, the word is actually a loanword from the Russian word ikra, meaning 'roe'.
- In Japanese culinary culture, the texture of ikura is often described as 'puchi-puchi', an onomatopoeic expression used to mimic the sensation of the eggs popping in the mouth.
- The appearance of bright orange ikura is so iconic that it is often used in Japanese media to represent luxury and abundance in seasonal food imagery.
Examples in context
- いくらはいくらですか？How much is the ikura?
- いくらが大好きです。ikura ga daisuki desu.I love salmon roe.
- いくらをのせた寿司を食べたいです。ikura o noseta sushi o tabetai desu.I want to eat sushi topped with salmon roe.
- このいくらはとても新鮮ですね。kono ikura wa totemo shinsen desu ne.This salmon roe is very fresh, isn't it?
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to eat at a sushi restaurant.
- 大翔 Hiroto今日の特選メニューは何ですか？kyou no tokusen menyuu wa nan desu ka?What is today's special menu?
- 美咲 Misaki新鮮ないくらがおすすめですよ。shinsen na ikura ga osusume desu yo.I recommend the fresh salmon roe.
- 大翔 Hirotoじゃあ、いくらを注文しましょう。jaa, ikura o chuumon shimashou.Then, let's order the salmon roe.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね、楽しみです！ii desu ne, tanoshimi desu!That sounds good, I'm looking forward to it!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry いくら, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
