Japan Raw Egg: Don't Skip These 3 Checks
Eggs sold in Japan are routinely eaten raw, for example on rice or as a dip for sukiyaki. Before you crack one, check the best-before date, check the shell for cracks, and crack it right before you eat. If you're not sure, cook it or skip it.
The 18-second video, with Hako. Open on YouTube
The 3 things to know
Check the best-before date
Look at the date on the carton before you eat an egg raw. Eggs past the date should be fully cooked.
Look for cracks in the shell
Don't eat a cracked egg raw. Cracked eggs should be fully cooked.
Crack it right before you eat
Crack the egg just before eating. Not sure about an egg? Cook it, or skip it. If you don't want raw egg with sukiyaki, you can skip it.
Quick answers
Is it safe to eat raw egg in Japan?
Japan's Food Safety Commission says contaminated eggs are rare, about 3 in 100,000, but it is not zero risk. It advises keeping eggs at 10 C or below, checking the date and shell, and cracking the egg just before eating.
What dishes use raw egg?
Two common ones are tamago kake gohan (raw egg on rice) and the beaten egg used as a dip for sukiyaki.
Does this apply to eggs from other countries?
No. The guidance is for eggs bought and stored in Japan and should not be applied to eggs from other countries.
Read the video transcript
Raw egg in Japan? Three checks before you crack it.
One. Check the best-before date.
Two. No cracks in the shell.
Three. Crack it right before you eat. Not sure? Cook it, or skip it.
Then try it on rice, or as a dip for sukiyaki beef.
Sources & how we checked
The tips on this page were checked against these official pages:
- fsc.go.jpFood Safety Commission of Japan: Kids Box (2022-07)
- maff.go.jpMAFF: raw eating limited to in-shell eggs within best-before date
- japan-food.jetro.go.jpJETRO Japan Food: eggs
- japan-guide.comJapan Guide: Sukiyaki and shabu-shabu
- Updated
- Video
- 18 seconds, made by Ready in Japan
- Good to know
- Rules can vary by place. Follow local signs and staff.
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