Two Japanese fish cakes (Kamaboko), seven beautiful designs! Make ordinary fish cake into decorative designs on this Oshogatu (Japanese New Year)!
Oshogatu (Japanese New Year) is the biggest celebration in Japan, and even everyday food like Kamaboko gets a total make-over for this happy occasion!
Kamaboko (かまぼこ or 蒲鉾) is a Japanese fish cake, a type of cured surimi. It is made by forming various white fish paste steamed into a semicylindrical log shape on a wooden block.
Kamaboko is usually sliced and served chilled or unheated, sometimes with some type of dipping sauce. You can also find kamaboko in hot soups, rice dishes, and fried noodles.
Red (Pink)-skinned and white kamaboko are typically served at celebratory and holiday meals, as red and white are considered to bring good luck. Kamaboko is flexible in texture so it is often cut into different decorative shapes and designs.
I’ll show you how to make seven beautiful kamaboko decorations, from easy to slightly difficult. Each design has a special meaning that is appropriately auspicious for the New Year.
Watch 7 Beautiful Designs to Cut Japanese Fish Cake
Two Japanese fish cakes (Kamaboko), seven beautiful designs! Make ordinary fish cake into decorative designs on this Oshogatu (Japanese New Year)!
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I had such fun making the pine and reins designs.
Hi Miyuki! Thank you very much for your kind feedback!
Nami and JOC team are so happy to hear you enjoyed making them. Happy New Year!
Hi,Nami! The designs are gorgeous. I tried making them with my sister and she also had to admit that they were absolutely beautiful!
Hi Ashlynn! Yay, that’s wonderful! Thank you so much for your kind feedback. 🙂
Sugoi! I think I HAVE to try the matsu design. My adult kids will be so impressed! I’ll have to take pix to show my Nihonjin mom. She’ll be impressed too! Thank you for this instruction on making “plain old kamaboko” so gorgeous!
Hi Erika! Isn’t it fun? Kamaboko is very pliable/flexible, so it’s very forgiving even you make a mistake. Hope your family was impressed by your creations! 🙂
[…] 7 Beautiful Designs to Cut Japanese Fish Cake (Kamaboko) […]
Domoarigato Thank you so much for your Kamaboko fishcake suggestions. My husband loves these. Can you say what type of fish these are made from please.
Hi Jean! Usually it’s not clear as it is used from different types of fish? Kamaboko is made by forming various white fish paste steamed into semicylindrical log shape on a wooden block.
Kamaboko never looked so pretty! I love the peacock and rose–they’re almost too pretty to eat! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Happy New Year to you and your family, Donna! Thank you for your kind words and support all the time. xoxo
Wow! Nami it’s so so lovely.Excellent..One day i must try
Thank you very much for sharing
Hi Tina! Thank you for your kind words! Happy New Year!
Oh Nami – these are just SO beautiful! Remember staring at them in food display windows in Tokyo food streets way back . . . never tried to make : am bolder now 🙂 ! But even if just cut and served with salmon roe . . . what an appetizing picture, especially for New Year . . . hope you and the family will find it happy and successful!
Hi Eha! Thank you for your kind comment! Hope you have a wonderful 2018, Eha!