A data object can be encoded into a plurality of encoded data fragments and stored on backend storage elements in a distributed encoded storage system. The identifiers and metadata corresponding to each encoded fragment of the data object can be stored in a single metadata unit, which is stored on the backend as encoded fragments. The identifiers of the metadata fragments can be associated with the data object and stored on a low latency frontend storage device. Thus, the amount of metadata per data object stored on expensive low latency frontend storage is reduced to the fragment identifiers. The fragment identifiers can be quickly retrieved, and used to retrieve the identifiers and metadata corresponding to the encoded data fragments from the backend, for retrieval of the data object itself.