Do you eat the roe on scallops??

[NotUmbongoUnchained]

I’m out for dinner with 2 friends who happen to both be chefs. I ordered scallops, they’ve arrived with the roe on. I’m happy with that, I always eat it. Chef A is disgusted, says he’s never worked in a restaurant in his 20 years as a chef and served scallops with the roe on. Chef B is outraged with Chef A, says in his 15 years as a chef he has never worked in a restaurant that HASNT serves scallops with the roe on. Queue lots of arguing while I eat my scallops, roe and all.

What do you do? If you take it off, why?

If it's served with it on, I'll eat it (though it's not the best bit). If it's been taken off I don't miss it

I don't like the roe.

Keep it on. It’s delicious.

I like it, and I eat it. Seems a waste to me not to, plus I like the taste. It does seem commoner to take it off, though, and I suppose if you do that you can charge more.

No. It’s high on the list of one of the most vile things I’ve ever tasted. But each to their own 🤷🏻‍♀️

Might be worth adding that Chef B is from a seaside town and Chef A is from the city.

I was kept in the school hall one lunchtime (about 6 or 7 at the time) because I refused to eat roe and the dinner lady (still remember her name, bitch) refused to let me go in the playground before I ate it. Took one bite and was sick on the floor and myself and she started screaming at me saying I did it on purpose

In short: No.

One of the TV chefs said you should always remove it because it isn't very nice, have never seen it served anywhere, seaside, London, country places, not once.

I’d say it depends on how they are cooked - the more simply (and better imo) then roe on. I’d say if more ‘saucy’ or lower quality restaurant then off (and probably from frozen).

But only my experience- and more of the simply cooked better quality restaurants I have eaten them in would be by the sea...

When I lived in Cornwall they were always served with the roe on.

When I cook them I take roe off, cut of any sinew and pan fry with the scallop quickly. They're delicious but not so good when overcooked.

I eat them.

I don’t; but I’ve never tried them or been anywhere where it’s been left on/offered.

Chef A has gone to order himself a pint in a huff. Me and chef B can’t stop laughing at him

Mission - you had scallops for school dinners?!

I love the roe, best bit!

I love the roe and if I am out I will ask for it to be served if possible. I am one of very few customers who buy my scallops roe on from my fish shop.

I didn't know what the roe was (not being a seafood eater) and the first thing I found was this article which makes it sound as though eating them with roe on is more of an upper-class, finer things in life type of thing to do.

Roe on or off?

I eat it and think it improves the flavour of the complete dish if you include it when cooking. Locally (SW) we call it the 'coral' not roe. On the little queen scallops the coral is pink.

I’ve never been served it in a restaurant. I love scallops and just remove the roe. I have added it to a sauce which deepened the flavour and colour.

@mummyretired in Cornwall we called it the “foot”

Chef A is right. The scallop and the roe both need different cooking times. So if the roe is cooked then the scallop will be overcooked. I would send the dish back if it was served with the roe. I don't like overcooked scallops. I was married to a chef and he taught me basics

More importantly though, why do they never give you enough. I want a pint of scallops like you get a pint of prawns

Absolutely love seafood. Have eaten scallops many times - never been served with roe. Also, have never seen scallops with roe. As a child, ate fresh herring, complete with roe, grilled over a peat fire = fabulous!