(Photo by Paige)

By DCist contributor Emelyn Rude

Dish of the Week: Uni
Where to Get It: Jaleo, Osteria Morini, Daikaya, Sushi Taro

Regardless of your personal feelings about the spiky sea urchin and its creamy, orange-y insides, there’s no denying that this humble sea creature has been crawling its way into the District’s restaurant scene in recent years.

Although widely known by its Japanese name, uni, sea urchin is found on a diversity of menus throughout D.C. Jaleo’s (480 7th St. NW) small plate section includes “erizos de mar con pipirrana,” a dish of sea urchin with diced peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and trout roe ($^). A more hearty serving of urchin is combined with crab, tomato, and basil and doused over bucatini ($25) at Osteria Morini (301 Water St. SE #109).

But some of the best examples of uni are still found at the many delicious ramen and sushi restaurants around the District. If you find yourself at Daikaya (705 6th St. NW), start your meal with the Rocky ($9), an onsen egg topped with sea urchin and salmon roe. If you’re fine dining at Sushi Taro (1503 17th St NW), your kaiseki tasting ($80 a person) will come replete with sea urchin and shrimp bathed in fish jelly and presented in an abalone shell. Many other great sushi restaurants, such as Umi Japanese (2625 Conn. Ave NW) and Yosaku (1301 U St. NW), offer uni sushi, sashimi, and nigiri.

Late fall and early winter is when California uni is in season, so now is the best time of year to crack open an urchin or two. These creatures are considered invasive species in many parts of the world as well, so the more you eat, the more your planet will thank you.