Sea Urchin

Known as oursin (France), riccio di mare (Italy), erizo de mar (Spain).

The sea urchin is a spiny sea creature that looks somewhat like a large, rounded hedgehog. Considered a delicacy in Japan, Korea and other East Asian countries, the sea urchin may be eaten fresh and raw - straight from the halved shell. The meat and the rose or orange coloured ovaries (termed the 'coral') are sprinkled with lemon juice and scooped out with pieces of fresh crusty bread.

The orange roe is used frequently in Japanese sushi cuisine, where it is known as 'uni'.