Sasa Kamaboko Grilled Fish Cake

Shaped like a bamboo leaf, sasa kamaboko is one of the seafood treasures that represents Sendai. Made from the paste of fresh white fish and grilled to finish, it offers a moist springy bite and the flavor of fish that deepens the more you chew. The shape is said to come from the bamboo leaf crest linked to the old Sendai domain.

Highlights

Biting into a freshly grilled piece at a shopfront lets you enjoy the contrast between the toasted surface and the fluffy inside. Recent years have brought varieties kneaded with cheese or edamame, fun to compare with the classic flavor. Some factories and shops offer hands-on grilling, a perfect way to make a travel memory.

Enjoying the Seasons

Sasa kamaboko keeps well and can be enjoyed all year, but freshly grilled is truly special. In summer it makes a fine snack with beer, and in winter it is loved as an ingredient in warm oden stew. During holiday seasons shopfronts bustle with people seeking a hot grilled piece.

Access and Basic Information

You can buy it at souvenir counters in Sendai Station and at specialty shops throughout the city. Near the station and in the Matsushima sightseeing area, some shops let you taste freshly grilled pieces on the spot. Vacuum-packed products keep well and suit souvenirs bound for distant places.

A Quick Tip

Eat freshly grilled pieces as they are, and lightly toast packaged ones to bring back their savory aroma. A dab of wasabi and soy sauce brings out a different side of the flavor. With so many varieties, look for the piece that suits your taste.