練(ね)り物(もの)

Compound of 練(ね)る (to knead) and 物(もの) (thing/product). Refers to a broad category of processed fish foods central to Japanese cuisine.

Types

• 蒲鉾(かまぼこ): kamaboko — steamed fish cake, often with a pink outer layer
• 竹輪(ちくわ): chikuwa — tube-shaped grilled fish cake
• さつま揚(あ)げ: satsuma-age — deep-fried fish cake
• はんぺん: hanpen — soft, fluffy white fish cake
• 笹(ささ)かまぼこ: sasa-kamaboko — leaf-shaped fish cake (Sendai specialty)

Common collocations

• 練(ね)り物(もの)コーナー: fish paste products section (in a supermarket)
• 練(ね)り物(もの)を入(い)れる: to add fish paste products (to a dish)

Usage

Commonly associated with おでん (a winter stew), 鍋(なべ) (hot pot), and 弁当(べんとう) (bento boxes). Supermarkets have a dedicated 練(ね)り物(もの) section, usually near the refrigerated fish products.