Off the Beaten Plate: Ikura nigiri at Wa

Ikura nigiri sushi, topped with raw quail eggs, at Wa, 740 Mass.

Ikura nigiri sushi, topped with raw quail eggs, at Wa, 740 Mass.

A spoonful of silky, salty, orangey-red salmon roe (i.e.: eggs) over sticky rice, with a loop of nori to hold the piece together (that’s the dark-green seaweed you’ll find around sushi of most any variety). Ikura nigiri is an example of gunkan-maki, or battleship, style sushi.


Where to get it
: Wa, 740 Mass.

What you’ll pay: $5 plus tax for two pieces.

Try it with: Uzura — raw quail egg — on top (pictured). Like runny eggs on top of your toast? Kind of the same idea.

Also on the menu: More nigiri (smelt roe, octopus and various types of fish, to name a few), house specialties such as Dol Sot Bi Bim Bob (a Korean dish of vegetable and beef served over rice in a hot stone bowl) and dozens of specialty sushi rolls. Wa’s best-seller is the Kansas Roll — it’s a little spicy, a little crunchy AND it’s served on fire.