Crab sticksEasy to find
Same amount, sliced
Soft and a little sweet — a classic kimbap filling.
▲ sweeter
Ingredient guide
Fish cake 어묵
Eomuk (also called odeng) is ground white fish blended with starch and flavorings, then fried or steamed into flat sheets or shapes. It is sliced into stews, simmered in soups and stir-fried as a side dish.
Taste
Mild, savory and slightly sweet, with a springy texture.
What to look for
Flat sheets labeled eomuk, odeng or "Korean fish cake" in the refrigerated or frozen aisle of Asian markets. Check the ingredients if you avoid wheat or shellfish.
Storing it
Keep refrigerated until the date on the package, or freeze for longer.
How to find Fish cake, anywhere
Works in any country — look for these names, in these kinds of shops.
Names to look for
- eomuk
- odeng
- Korean fish cake
- fish cake sheets
Show this at the shop어묵
Where to look
- Korean grocery stores, refrigerated or frozen
- Asian supermarkets, in the frozen or refrigerated fish section
- Japanese stores sell similar fish cakes (kamaboko, satsuma-age)
Watch out for
- It contains fish and usually wheat; check the label if you avoid either.
- Flat sheets suit stir-fries and stews; skewered or round types are meant for soups.
Can't find Fish cake? Use this instead
Honest swaps, with amounts per unit of the original and how the dish will change.
HamEasy to find
Same amount, sliced
Saltier and meatier.
▲ salty▼ seafood flavor
Extra-firm tofu, thinly sliced and pan-friedEasy to find
Same amount
A chewy-soft stand-in with a plain flavor — season it with a pinch of salt.
▼ seafood flavor
Where to buy it near you
Recipes that use Fish cake
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