Narutomaki: A Colorful Japanese Fish Cake for Ramen
Published: 15 Mar 2025
Narutomaki is a Japanese fish cake with a pink swirl in the middle. It is made from a white fish paste called surimi. The fish paste is shaped into a log and then steamed. The pink swirl is created by adding red food colouring to part of the paste and rolling it up. The name “Narutomaki” comes from the whirlpools in the Naruto Strait, Japan.
Have you ever wondered about the colourful swirl in your ramen? Narutomaki is a popular Japanese fish cake that adds flavour and fun to your meal. Made from fish paste, Narutomaki gets its unique pink spiral by rolling coloured paste into a log. This little treat makes your ramen look amazing. It has a cool story behind its name, inspired by the swirling waters of a famous spot in Japan. Let’s take a closer look at this tasty and colourful addition!
Narutomaki is a Japanese fish cake made from fish paste called surimi. The paste is shaped into a log and steamed. The pink swirl in the middle comes from adding red food colouring. Narutomaki gets its name from the Naruto whirlpools in Japan. It’s often added to ramen for extra flavour and a fun look.
What is surimi
Surimi is a type of fish paste made from minced fish. It is usually made from fish like Alaska pollock or southern blue whiting. First, the fish is washed to remove extra proteins, which makes it chewier. Then, sugar is added to help keep the fish fresh. This method was created long ago to preserve fish before refrigeration was available. Today, most Narutomaki is made in Yaizu, a city in Japan known for its fish products.
History Of Narutomaki
Japanese cuisine has many different types of fish cakes, some of which have been around for over 1,000 years. Narutomaki, however, is a newer type of fish cake. It is believed to have been created in the 1800s and named after the whirlpools in the Naruto Strait. The first detailed description of Narutomaki appears in a book from the Edo period called “Konnyaku Hyaku Chin.”
There are also ideas that Narutomaki could be even older. The name “Naruto” is mentioned in a book from the Heian period (794 to 1185), though it’s unclear if it referred to Narutomaki as we know it today. It might have been a different version of this fish cake, but the name has been around for a long time.
How to use Narutomaki
Narutomaki has a chewy texture and a mild taste. It is similar to gefilte fish but feels smoother and a bit rubbery. Even though it’s made from fish, Narutomaki doesn’t have a strong fish flavour because it is washed before making it. This makes it a great addition to many dishes without being too fishy.
Narutomaki is a popular topping for ramen, no matter the flavour, like miso, shoyu, or shio. It adds a nice splash of colour to the soup, making the dish more colourful. It also goes well with the noodles, adding a different texture. Besides ramen, Narutomaki is often used as a topping for soba and udon noodles.
How to Make Narutomaki at Home
It is easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. Let’s see how you can make Narutomaki yourself!
Ingredients:
- 7 ounces of non-oily white fish filets (like Alaska pollock or southern blue whiting)
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon mirin (a sweet rice wine)
- Red food coloring
Steps:
- Prepare the Steamer: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a simmer. Place a steamer basket on top of the pot.
- Prepare the Fish: Remove the skin, fat, and bones from the fish. Wash the fish in cold water in a colander, and squeeze out any extra water with your hands.
- Make the Paste: Roughly chop the fish and add it to a food processor. Add the egg white, salt, sugar, and mirin, then process until the mixture is smooth.
- Colour the Paste: Put half the fish paste in a small bowl. Mix a drop of red food colouring until the paste turns bright pink.
- Form the Fish Paste: Lay plastic wrap on a flat surface. Spread the white fish paste on the wrap, making a large rectangle.
- Add the Pink Paste: Spread the pink fish paste on top of the white paste, but leave a half-inch border around the edges.
- Roll It Up: Carefully roll the fish paste into a log, using the plastic wrap to help you roll it tightly, like a jelly roll.
- Wrap and Shape: Once rolled, tightly wrap the log in a new plastic wrap. You can roll the wrapped log in a bamboo mat to make zigzag edges.
- Steam the Log: Place the plastic-wrapped fish paste log in the steamer basket. Steam it for about 15 minutes until the log becomes firm and holds its shape.
Once done, your homemade Narutomaki is ready to use! Slice it and add it to your ramen or other noodle dishes for a colourful and tasty treat.
The Health Benefits of Narutomaki
It offers several health benefits, making it a great choice for those seeking a healthy meal. It is low in fat and rich in protein, which is important for building and repairing muscles. The fish paste used in Narutomaki provides essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health and brain function. Narutomaki is a nutritious topping for ramen, soba, or udon noodles.
Another benefit of Narutomaki is that it is made with simple, wholesome ingredients like fish, egg whites, and mirin. These ingredients are tasty and provide vitamins and minerals for your overall health. Since it doesn’t have a strong fish flavour, Narutomaki is a great way to enjoy the health benefits of fish without the strong taste that some people may not like. It’s a delicious and healthy choice for anyone looking to add more nutritious foods to their diet.
Where to Buy Narutomaki
You can buy Narutomaki at Japanese grocery stores, especially those that sell a variety of traditional Japanese foods. Many larger grocery stores with an international section may also carry it. If you can’t find it locally, it is available online through various websites specialising in Japanese food products. Shopping online gives you the convenience of having it delivered to your door. Check the store’s description or reviews to ensure you are getting authentic Narutomaki!
FAQs
1. What is Narutomaki made of?
Narutomaki is made from white fish, such as Alaska pollock or southern blue whiting. It also contains egg whites, salt, sugar, and mirin (a sweet rice wine).
2. Does Narutomaki taste like fish?
Narutomaki doesn’t have a strong fish flavour. Because of how it’s prepared, it has a mild taste, making it a nice addition to dishes without being too fishy.
3. How do I use Narutomaki?
Narutomaki is commonly added to ramen, soba, or udon noodles. It adds flavour, texture, and colour to your dish.
4. Can I make Narutomaki at home?
Yes! You can make Narutomaki at home with just a few ingredients. It involves preparing fish paste, colouring part with red food colouring, and then steaming the log.
5. How long does it take to make Narutomaki?
Making Narutomaki takes about 30 minutes in total. This includes preparing the fish paste, rolling it up, and steaming it until firm.
6. Is Narutomaki healthy?
Narutomaki is a low-fat, protein-rich food. It’s a good option for those looking for a healthy topping for their noodles or soups.
7. Where can I buy Narutomaki?
Narutomaki can be found in Japanese grocery stores or online stores that sell Japanese food products.
Conclusion
In conclusion, It is a fun and tasty addition to many dishes, especially ramen. Its unique pink swirl makes the dish look colourful, adding a mild and chewy texture. Whether you enjoy a bowl of miso ramen or soba, Narutomaki enhances the flavour without being too fishy. It is easy to make at home with simple ingredients, and you can customise the pink swirl to suit your taste!
Whether making it yourself or buying it from a store, Narutomaki is a great way to add a bit of Japanese tradition to your meals. It is healthy, delicious, and perfect for those looking to try something new in their noodle dishes. So, next time you have ramen, why not add some Narutomaki and enjoy a colourful, tasty treat?
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- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
