[Miyagi Prefecture] Even more delicious bamboo kamaboko! Introducing recommended products and fun arrangement recipes

A classic souvenir from Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, is sasa kamaboko . Its firm texture and refined fish flavor are addictive. It's a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed as a snack with alcohol or as a finishing touch to a meal.

Of course, sasa kamaboko is delicious when eaten simply, but why not try a slightly different recipe every once in a while? I hope this article will help you discover new charms of sasa kamaboko


Sasakamaboko from Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture

Sasakamaboko has become a staple souvenir from Miyagi Prefecture. Shaped like a bamboo leaf , and its chewy texture and refined fish flavor make it a must-try delicacy.

Baking experience of sasa kamaboko

The history of sasa kamaboko is said to date back to the Meiji period, when people began making kamaboko to consume flounder, which was caught in abundance in the waters off Miyagi Prefecture at the time

Normally, flounder meat is too soft to be made into kamaboko, but through repeated trial and error to make the most of its flavor and aroma, we finally succeeded in making kamaboko with a good texture

For a while after it was first sold, it was called "Bero Kamaboko" or "Hira Kamaboko." During the Showa era, it was named after the family crest of the Date clan, the feudal lords of Sendai, "bamboo and sparrows," and came to be called Sasakamaboko

To this day, each kamaboko manufacturer sells their own unique products


Introducing 3 popular and recommended sasa kamaboko

When choosing a souvenir from Sendai, you'll find a wide variety of products from various sasa-kamaboko manufacturers. There are so many that it can be hard to decide which one to buy. Here are our top three recommendations from among the most popular sasa-kamaboko products

Abe's Sasakamaboko

This is sasakamaboko from Abe Kamaboko, the company that coined the term sasakamaboko. It is a classic among classics and is affectionately known as "Abe Kama." The kamaboko is carefully grilled to perfection, resulting in a fluffy texture and a fragrant sear. The flavor, made with Miyagi's local sake and Miyagi Prefecture's specially brewed soy sauce, is also elegant

Official website: Abe's Sasakamaboko


Hakuken's bamboo kamaboko

This is a long-established store founded in Ishinomaki City during the Taisho era. Their kamaboko, made with the meat of the high-quality fish Kichiji, is fragrant and has a rich fishy flavor. The meat is thick and smooth, with a firm elasticity. Kamaboko with ingredients such as squid and pickled ginger is also popular

Official site: Hakuken's Sasakamaboko


Kanezaki's big fishing flag

This large, thick, and impactful sasa kamaboko has a firm texture and a rich flavor, making it extremely satisfying to eat. It is free of chemical seasonings, egg whites, and starch, so it can be enjoyed by people with allergies

Official site: Kanezaki's fishing flag


Recipes using sasa kamaboko

When it comes to sasa-kamaboko, it's common to eat it as is or with just soy sauce, but sometimes you want to try something a little different

So, we will introduce some easy recipes for sasa kamaboko that anyone can make. Enjoy the charm of sasa kamaboko in a slightly different way than usual

Sasakamaboko with Mentaiko Mayonnaise Dip

Remove the thin skin and mix the mentaiko with mayonnaise to make mentaiko mayonnaise. Cut the sasa kamaboko into bite-sized pieces and eat it with mentaiko mayonnaise for a convenient snack

Adding cucumber or other vegetables will add color and make it taste more like a snack

Deep-fried bamboo shoots and seaweed

The sasa kamaboko fish cakes are dipped in a batter made by mixing plain flour and green laver and adding water, then deep-fried in oil

The plump sasa kamaboko is topped with a crispy batter and the fragrant aroma of green laver. It's not just a great snack, but also a delicious side dish that children will love. Cut it in half and it's also recommended as a side dish for your lunch box

Bamboo shoots kamaboko okonomiyaki style

Spread okonomiyaki sauce on the flat part of the sasa kamaboko, top with pickled ginger, and bake lightly in the oven. Once cooked, top with mayonnaise, green laver, and bonito flakes to complete your okonomiyaki-style dish

The aroma and texture of the seashore and the flavor of the savory sauce are a perfect match! Adding cheese is also great


summary

In this article, we will be looking at sasa kamaboko, a specialty of Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture

Sasakamaboko is a famous and classic souvenir, but each manufacturer puts a lot of effort into creating their own unique products. This time we've introduced sasa kamaboko from three different companies, but it's also fun to try different varieties and compare them to find your favorite

Also, while sasa kamaboko is delicious when eaten simply, depending on how you arrange it, it can be transformed into a dish that goes even better with alcohol and rice. If you get some sasa kamaboko in the souvenir section or by mail order, be sure to give it a try


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