# Deceptive Fish Cakes The Nyankama Japanese Fish Cakes Look Like Candy By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2014-05-12 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fish-cakes References: [en.rocketnews24](http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/05/12/soft-and-tasty-cat-paws-win-our-hearts-no-theyre-not-marshmallows-theyre-fishcakes/) & [kamaboko.org](http://www.kamaboko.org/shop/products/detail.php?product_id=192) These adorable paw print tablets look like they should have some sort of sweet flavor, but if that's what you're expecting when you take a bite, you'll be in for a big surprise—they're fish cakes. The Japanese kamaboko fish cakes have are playfully called 'Nyankama' and the bite-sized snacks are filled with a [cream cheese filling](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goldfish-pokmon-crackers). To make this food item even more interesting, established fish cake manufacturer Ikuji Kamaboko uses one of the "100 best waters in Japan" to ensure a quality product. The miniature snacks can be purchased for just over $4 and the set of five includes four fish cakes printed with paws and one fish cake shaped like a [cat face](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mofusand). As well, when ordering, there's also an option for "no cheese," which will appeal to those who like their fish cakes plain. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 48% | Activity: 28% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Playful Food:** Manufacturers can create unique and unexpected combinations to surprise and delight customers. - **Crossover Flavors:** Pairing traditional food items with flavors not commonly associated with them can create a new market of curious consumers. - **Novelty Presentation:** Using cute and visually appealing designs can attract customers and make a product stand out on shelves. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food Manufacturing:** Innovative food manufacturers can create playful and non-traditional food items to cater to a younger demographic. - **Snack Industry:** The snack industry can experiment with unique flavors and packaging styles to create new product lines and attract adventurous eaters. - **Tourism Industry:** Marketing unique regional food products and using local ingredients can attract culinary tourists and support the local economy. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sushi-Inspired Pet Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peppy-ehomaki-sets.md) - [Japanese Soufflé Cheesecakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japanese-souffl-cheesecakes.md) - [Deep-Fried Candy Bar Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kushi-katsu-tanaka.md) - [Seafood-Flavored Snack Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fritolays-shaketoba-corn-chips.md) - [Multilayer Canned Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canned-cake.md) - [Japanese-Style Savory Pancakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegetable-pancake.md) - [Anime Anniversary Snack Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pokmon-milk-harbour-mont-blanc.md) - [Anime Monster Snack Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pokmon-ginza-cozy-corner.md) - [Flavor-First Fish Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crunchy-fish-bites.md)