To provide a salty taste enhancer which exerts a flavor enhancing effect comparable to sodium chloride without imparting any undesirable flavor such as harsh taste or odd smell, a method for producing the same, a kelp extract comprising the salty taste enhancer, and a food or drink having enhanced salty taste and flavor which comprises the salty taste enhancer or the kelp extract. A salty taste enhancer which comprises a volatile component with a molecular weight of less than 200 derived from a kelp.
