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
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.
