Japan's Most Famous Fishcake Is a Beloved Emoji and Ramen Topping (2024)

FAQs

What is the Japanese fishcake in ramen? ›

Other Names. What's pink and swirly and processed all over? If it's floating atop a bowl of ramen, it's probably a slice of narutomaki, the iconic Japanese fishcake. Inspired by whirlpools in the Naruto Strait, these chewy, bouncy slices represent a formidable natural phenomenon.

There's a mention of “naruto” in a book from the Heian period of 794 to 1185. While it's not clear whether the book was referring to narutomaki as we know it today, it might just be an older variant. Narutomaki is basically a type of kamaboko (Japanese for “fish cake”).

Kamaboko is sometimes referred to as fish cake in English.

What Is Narutomaki? Narutomaki is a type of kamaboko, or Japanese fish cake, that features a pink swirl in the center. Its name likely comes from the naturally occurring Naruto whirlpools located in the Naruto Strait between Shikoku and Awaji Island in Japan.

Fish cakes are made from ground fish and flour or starch that is formed into small loafs and then steamed or fried. Fish cakes are used in a variety of Japanese dishes such as soups and stews, appetizers and boxed lunches. In the olden days, this fish cake was formed around bamboo (chiku) skewers and cooked.

Kamaboko (蒲鉾, かまぼこ), or Japanese fish cake, is a processed seafood product eaten in Japanese cuisine. It consists of pureed white fish paste (surimi すり身) that's steamed, grilled, or fried until cooked and firm. You can eat it as is, cut it into a beautiful pattern, or use it as a garnish.

Known in Japan as narutomaki, 🍥is the cross-section of a particular fish cake, known for its iconic swirl. | Japan, fishcake | Have you ever wondered what certain Japanese emojis mean?

Each cloud-shaped slice of naruto has a pink or red spiral pattern, which is meant to resemble the Naruto whirlpools in the Naruto Strait between Awaji Island and Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku Island in Japan. The word is also used as a slang term for the at sign "@". It is represented by the emoji 🍥.

If you like fish and are looking for an economical source of protein and calcium, you should certainly consider including Narutomaki and other types of Kamaboko fish cakes in your diet. In addition to its nutritional benefits, the pink swirl is sure to improve the presentation of your dishes.

For those who love seafood, Fish Cakes are an ultimate late-evening snack. Light on the stomach and easy to digest, Fish Cakes are also a healthy addition to your diet as they are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.

Does Japanese fish cake have egg? ›

Fishcakes in Japan are commonly made from surimi, a paste made primarily from fish meat and mirin, starch, egg whites and spices.

What do fish cakes taste like? Depending on any added ingredients, fish cakes taste, well, you guessed it: fishy. But typically not too fishy. Each variety has their own flavor profile, sure, but the base of each is fish, which will win out flavor-wise unless you're packing on the extracurricular sauces and such!

These fishcakes are packed full of flavour and can be eaten hot or cold. We've used sweet potatoes instead of white potato as they're an excellent source of vitamin A which we need for healthy eyes. Salmon is rich in healthy fats which helps to lower cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease.

Because of its mild, comforting, umami flavor, these fish cakes have become an absolute staple of Japanese cuisine. They're not too overpowering, so they go pretty well with anything — meaning you can try them in almost any type of ramen!

This moist vanilla cake with vanilla almond buttercream is sure to be the highlight of any Summer dessert table.

Katsuobushi bonito flakes are made through a meticulous process of drying, fermenting, and smoking the fish. The resulting product is then sun dried to achieve its characteristic texture. Shaving the dried bonito into fine pieces ensures it blends well with various sauces and toppings.

You might have noticed that ramen often comes with little pink and white pinwheels on top. These are naruto, one of the most popular types of kamaboko for a ramen topping. Kamaboko is a steamed fish cake made from surimi paste, which is a mix of different fishes, starches, egg white and seasonings.

Taiyaki (鯛焼き, lit. 'baked sea bream') is a Japanese fish-shaped cake, commonly sold as street food. It imitates the shape of tai (鯛, red sea bream), which it is named after.

Sliced narutomaki is a common topping on a bowl of ramen and udon, and since it's already cooked, you can eat it as a snack, add to dashi broth, or deep fry for tempura.