1.
fish paste products; surimi products
A category of Japanese food made from fish paste (surimi) that is kneaded, shaped, and then steamed, grilled, or fried. Includes kamaboko, chikuwa, and other common items.
おでんには練り物が欠かせない。
Fish paste products are essential for oden.
練り物コーナーで竹輪を買った。
I bought chikuwa from the fish paste products section.
この地方は新鮮な魚が豊富なので、練り物の種類も多い。
This region has abundant fresh fish, so there are many varieties of fish paste products.
Compound of 練る (to knead) and 物 (thing/product). Refers to a broad category of processed fish foods central to Japanese cuisine.
COMMON TYPES:
- 蒲鉾: kamaboko — steamed fish cake, often with a pink outer layer
- 竹輪: chikuwa — tube-shaped grilled fish cake
- さつま揚げ: satsuma-age — deep-fried fish cake
- はんぺん: hanpen — soft, fluffy white fish cake
- 笹かまぼこ: sasa-kamaboko — leaf-shaped fish cake (Sendai specialty)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 練り物コーナー: fish paste products section (in a supermarket)
- 練り物を入れる: to add fish paste products (to a dish)
USAGE:
Commonly associated with おでん (a winter stew), 鍋 (hot pot), and 弁当 (bento boxes). Supermarkets have a dedicated 練り物 section, usually near the refrigerated fish products.