Pine needle design (Matsuba 松葉) gives an attractive 3 dimensions to your kamaboko, even though the design may not be as obvious. It’s a great fish cake design for your appetizer platter that doesn’t require any special knife cutting skill.
Watch How to Make Kamaboko Pine Needle
Two Japanese fish cakes (Kamaboko), seven beautiful designs! Make ordinary fish cake into decorative designs on this Oshogatu (Japanese New Year)!
Step 1: Remove the kamaboko from the wooden board.
Step 2: Slice off the uneven edge on both ends.
Step 3: Cut a slice of red-skinned kamaboko 1/3 inch (8 mm) thick.
Step 4: Place the kamaboko flat on the work surface. Make a 1-inch (2.5-cm) slit one-third of the way down from the rounded pink top. See Step 6 for reference.
Step 5: Flip the fish cake and make a similar slit from the other side about one-third of the way up from the bottom edge.
Step 6: Lift up both ends.
Step 7: Lock the ends against each other. And now you have a Kamaboko Pine Needle that symbolizes longevity, wisdom, and youth.
To learn about other beautiful designs of kamaboko (Japanese fish cake), click here.