Akaten (赤てん)

From the outside, akaten looks like a ham cutlet from a Japanese deli case. It is golden, rectangular and coated in crunchy panko. Cut it open, however, and you find a bright pink-red center of springy surimi, or seasoned fish paste, followed by a gentle chili kick. That contrast is the point. Akaten (赤てん) is a specialty of Hamada, a fishing city on Shimane’s Sea of Japan coast. People still debate its exact origin, but the main stories all link it to postwar efforts to make an affordable alternative to ham cutlet. TOCWhat Is Akaten? Akaten is a specialty fish cake from Hamada City in Shimane Prefecture. Makers season white-fish surimi with chili, shape it into a flat rectangle, coat it in panko and fry it. The finished fish cake has a crisp golden crust, a springy pink-red center and generally mild heat. 赤Akaten at a Glance Japanese name赤てん (akaten); according to Yamamoto Kamaboko, its original version was called “fry-ten” HomeHamada City, Shimane Prefecture, in the Chugoku region Food typeFried fish-paste product (nerimono), breaded with panko Main ingredientsTypically white-fish surimi, starch, chili and panko; exact ingredients vary by maker TextureCrisp crust, bouncy fish-cake...