“Kamaboko†is a dish made by crushing fish meat into small pieces and then kneading it with salt, flour, etc., and cooking it. The history of Korean kamaboko dates back to the period of Japanese domination. In Busan, where marine products were easy to obtain and close to Japan, Japanese opened and operated a kamaboko factory. After Gwangbok in 1945, the Japanese withdrew and Koreans took over the factory and continued the taste of kamaboko. After that, fishcake factories opened one by one in the surrounding area, and Busan became the birthplace of kamaboko. “Samjin Kamabokoâ€, the most famous kamaboko brand in Busan, initially started as a kamaboko factory, but was transformed into Korea's first kamaboko bakery in 2013. Samjin Kamaboko is creating a new trend in the kamaboko market by packaging kamaboko as beautifully as bread in the store and showcasing premium kamaboko. In this way, kamaboko, which was only considered a side dish in the past, has become a snack and a hearty food in everyday life. In Korea, people enjoy kamaboko in a variety of ways, from hot soup to oden bars where you can choose skewers according to your taste and add fun.
Famous fishcake restaurants in Busan include Yeongdo Samjin fish cake, Seomyeon whale fish cake, Gwangbok-dong mido fish cake, Choryang Youngjin fish cake, Daeyeon-dong miso oden, Nampo-dong Ehwa-dong sujeong cake, Nampo-dong Baekgwang Sanghoe, Busan Station Myungseong sashimi restaurant, Haeundae whale fish cake, Bupyeong-dong Kangtong Alley Halmaebujeonggol, Busan Station Samjin fish cake, and Seomyeon Jeong Gye-eunjip. Famous fishcake restaurants around the country include Seorae Oden in Seorae Village in Seoul, Jeongdeungjip in Sinnonhyeon, Euljiro Euljiro Deng, Gyodae Minami, Gaepo Red Oden Busan Fish Cake, Paju Songa Kitchen, Jecheon Red Oden, and Ulsan Odenok Minami. From places where you can feel a long tradition to places where you can feel the new transformation of kamaboko! Let's take a look at the 5 best kamaboko restaurants with a light and chewy appeal.
1. Hot fish cakes that you can enjoy on the spot, “Samjin Kamaboko Main Store†in Yeongdo
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“Samjin Kamaboko Honten†is a place that has continued for three generations since 1953. You can pick and enjoy freshly made hot kamaboko from the open kitchen on the spot. Samjin kamaboko has captivated the tastes of various generations by presenting various types of kamaboko, from basic kamaboko to premium kamaboko containing sweet pumpkin, cheese, and paprika. Among them, the signature menu is “croquette,†which is made by putting pepper, cheese, yakiniku, etc. in fish paste and deep-frying it to a crispy texture. You can enjoy the rich texture of the fish paste blended with the crunchiness of the tempura batter. By making a reservation, you can experience making kamaboko at the experience center on the 2nd floor of the store.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 36, Taejong-ro 99beon-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
▲Opening hours: 09:00 — 20:00 every day
â–²Price: Croquette 1,300 won, fried red pepper 2,600 won
â–²Review (Shikigami Homebaker): The origin of Busan's kamaboko! The fish paste is chewy, and it's healthier and tastier if it's made with fish instead of flour! There are many types, so it's fun to choose ^^
2. Full of richness, 'Baekgwang Sanghoe' in Nampo-dong
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“Baekgwang Sangkai†has a long history of around 60 years. When you order the menu, you'll be served plenty of basic snacks such as sweet potatoes, peas, pupae, and pork. The signature menu is “oden,†which comes in a large bowl filled with over 10 ingredients, including fish paste, deep-fried pork, eggs, shrimp, and octopus. The broth made with beef bones and mixed with various dried fish and vegetables over a long period of time has a rich and deep flavor. The side sauce that is eaten with soy sauce mixed with samjang and mustard is also a delicacy. The sauce, which is both salty and has a refreshing aftertaste, enhances the role of licorice, which enhances the umami of the ingredients.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 25-3 Nampo-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
â–²Business hours: 16:00 – 02:00 every day
â–²Price: Oden 25,000 won, Suji (Korean beef) 25,000 won
â–²Testimonial (A great source of food): It's a great place for the rich suji and broth. When the soup had cooled, I asked them to heat it up, and they added oden without saying anything. Hehe… It was a friendly and delicious restaurant.
3. Dorando is a great place to talk, “Seorae Oden†in Seorae Village
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“Seorae Oden†is an izakaya located in an alley next to Seorae Village Café Street. The first floor of the store has a die-shaped bar table, and the second floor consists of a room and a regular table. There is an oden bar on the first floor, so it's a great place to sit side by side with your group and talk about Dorando. At oden bars, it's fun to choose from a variety of configurations, including fusion kamaboko containing mochi, cheese, and mushrooms, as well as rice cake and konjac. In addition, there are also over 20 kinds of snacks such as sake, seafood tteokbokki, yakitori, and octopus sashimi, which are loved by many lovers.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 22 Sapyeong-daero 26-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
â–²Opening hours: 18:00 – 01:30 every day
â–²Price: Oden skewers (1) 2,000 won, oden soup (8 pieces) 16,000 won, seafood tteokbokki 18,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Good meal): I tried various menus with fish paste with my friends, so it was perfect for a glass of beer~ The atmosphere was really comfortable and nice, and I recommend it!!!
4. Choose and eat fish cakes of your choice, Seomyeon's “whale fish cakeâ€
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“Whale fish paste†catches the eye with the large kamaboko skewer sculpture that adorns the exterior of the store. You can find dozens of types of fish paste, sandwiches made with fish paste, hot dogs, gimbap, sushi, and various other dishes. The signature menu is “cheese bread bread,†which contains plenty of soft cheese in fish paste. The light fish paste and rich cheese go well together pleasantly in the mouth. “Whole shrimp roll,†in which a large shrimp is wrapped entirely in fish paste, is also a popular menu item. The combination of the chewy shrimp meat and the faint sweetness that spreads as you chew it is exquisite. Note that you can warm up the fish paste and eat it in the microwave provided in the store.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 17, Jungang-daero 769beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan
▲Opening hours: 07:00 — 19:00 every day
â–²Price: Cheese bread 2,500 won, whole shrimp roll 3,500 won
â–²Testimonial (Shikigin, Rice Soon-i): I usually enjoy eating the fish cake at the Whale Temple, but I definitely enjoy eating it at the main store~ I recommend eating it in Busan even if it's not at the main store.
5. Euljiro “Euljiro Dengâ€, a place to warm your body in the cold winter
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'Euljiodeung' is located in Euljiro Golbang Alley. In winter when the cold wind blows, you can enjoy hot soup and fish paste together
The number of people looking for dengba is increasing. The walls of the store are filled with graffiti left by customers, creating a nostalgic atmosphere. At Odenba, you can eat any type of kamaboko, mochi, and konjac skewers for 1,000 won. Another popular menu item is the “pike mackerel roast,†which is made by grilling steamed sandfish paste, which is as if eggs were pouring out, over a gentle fire. The fish meat is chewy yet soft and crunchy, and the sandfish roe bursts, adding to the fun of chewing.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 54 Supyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 16:00 — 24:00 every day
â–²Price: Oden skewers (1 piece) 1,000 won, grilled skewers 13,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Queen of Food and Drink): It's a place I often go to after work, but it's always full. It's black and black, so you have to go fast. When the weather is cold, the warm soup and oden are delicious, and it's best to go straight ahead and eat grilled or steamed sandfish!