Kamaboko

Kamaboko is a type of cured surimi, a processed seafood product common in Japanese cuisine. Kamaboko is made by forming various pureed deboned white fish with either natural or man-made additives and flavorings into distinctive loaves, which are then steamed until fully cooked and firm. These are sliced and either served unheated (or chilled) with various dipping sauces, or added to various hot soups, rice, or noodle dishes. Kamaboko is often sold in semicylindrical loaves, some featuring artistic patterns, such as the pink spiral on each slice of narutomaki, named after the well-known tidal whirlpool near the Japanese city of Naruto. There is no precise English translation for kamaboko. Rough equivalents are fish paste, fish loaf, fish cake, and fish sausage. Shizuo Tsuji [ja], chef and author, recommends using the Japanese name in English, similar to English usage of the word sushi. Kamaboko has been made in Japan since the 14th century and is now available nearly worldwide. The simulated crab meat product kanikama (short for kani-kamaboko) is the best-known form of surimi in the West.

Source: Wikipedia