Kochi Street Food Delight: Try Handmade Fish Cakes at Matsuoka Kamaboko Store

Kochi is a quiet paradise for nerimono—fried fish cakes and steamed kamaboko made from fresh minced fish. These comforting bites are a big part of the local dining culture, loved by families for generations.

Walk through Ohashidori Shopping Street in central Kochi, and a warm, savory aroma will gently pull you in. Follow that smell, and you’ll find Matsuoka Kamaboko, a family-run shop that has been part of the neighborhood since the late 1960s. Locals drop by one after another, shopping bags in hand, just like a daily ritual.

A Display That Makes You Want to Try Everything

Inside the glass display case, more than 60 types of fish cakes are packed tightly together—each one golden and full of character.

You’ll find classics like jakoten and gobo jakoten. But the real charm comes from items with nostalgic local names, such as Curry Dango, Shiro Dango, and Oranda (a Japanese name that literally means Holland).

Why is it called Holland in Japanese?

No one really knows. It’s simply what locals in Kochi have called it for generations. The fish cake is mixed with green peas and bits of boiled egg, and the playful name has become part of the region’s food culture.

Handmade with Care, Just Like the Old Days

What makes Matsuoka special is its gentle, natural taste.

Their fish cakes are never too sweet, and they don’t rely on strong seasonings—just the clean flavor of fish.

Lightly grill a slice and add a drop of soy sauce, and it becomes the perfect snack with drinks.

Eat it warm, and the fluffy texture of the fish comes back to life. It’s no surprise that many visitors buy a bunch to take home as souvenirs.

A New Year Favorite: “Tosa Jiro Egg Daimaru”

One of the shop’s most beloved items is the Tosa Jiro Egg Daimaru.

Inside this celebratory roll are three whole boiled eggs from Tosa Jiro, Kochi’s famous local chicken. Pink and pale green fish paste wraps around them, creating a beautiful pattern when sliced.

For many locals, “New Year doesn’t start without Matsuoka’s Daimaru.”

It’s known as a winter tradition in Kochi.

The Popular “Hittsuke” Series

One of the shop’s beloved local items is the “Hittsuke” series.

Hittsuke is a Kochi dialect word that roughly means “to stick on” or “to attach.”

The name comes from how the fish paste is literally pressed or “stuck onto” other ingredients—simple home cooking that many families in Kochi grew up with.

Here are two classic versions:
・Shiitake Hittsuke: shiitake mushrooms with a generous layer of seasoned fish paste on the underside
・Koya Hittsuke: dried tofu (koya-dofu) stuffed with fish paste and gently simmered until soft

These aren’t tourist snacks—they’re everyday dishes that locals buy without thinking twice.

You’ll often hear familiar voices saying:

“Three curry dango and two shiitake hittsuke, please!”

It gives the shop the friendly, bustling feeling of a neighborhood market.

Taste Kochi’s Daily Life Right in the Shopping Street

If you’re exploring the city, this is a perfect stop for a quick bite.

Most items can be bought individually, so you can snack while strolling through the shopping street.

Take a moment, eat alongside the locals, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Kochi’s everyday rhythm—simple, friendly, and delicious.

Matsuoka Kamaboko is more than a fish cake shop.

It’s a small piece of Kochi’s identity, shaped by tradition and the people who keep it alive.

Matsuoka Kamaboko
Address: 2-4-3 Obiyamachi, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture
Hours: 9:00–17:00
Closed: Irregular holidays
Parking: None (paid parking nearby)
Payment: Credit cards available
Language Support: Basic English available (staff can help with simple communication)