Pine needle design (Matsuba 松葉) gives an attractive 3 dimensions to kamaboko, even though the design may not be as obvious. It’s a great fish cake design for your appetizer platter which doesn’t require any knife cutting skill.
Watch How to Make Kamaboko Pine Needle
Step 1: Remove kamaboko from the wooden board.
Step 2: Slice off the uneven edge on both ends.
Step 3: Cut red-skin kamaboko into a 1/3-inch (8 mm) slice.
Step 4: Place kamaboko flat on the work surface. Make a 1-inch (2.5-cm) slit one third from the pink-skin top. See Step 6 for reference.
Step 5: Flip the fish cake and make a similar slit one third 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.
