oden
Unicode: 1F362
Description
A Japanese fish cake (narutomaki) sliced and presented, often with a distinctive pink swirl pattern in the center.
Group:
Food & Drink > food-asian
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Typically represents Japanese cuisine, specifically ramen or udon noodles, where it is a common topping. It evokes feelings of comfort, warmth, and culinary delight associated with these dishes.
Backstory
Narutomaki is a type of kamaboko (cured surimi, or fish paste) from Japan. The pink swirl pattern is iconic and thought to represent the Naruto whirlpools in the Naruto Strait. This emoji was introduced with Unicode 6.0 in 2010 as part of a larger set of food-related emojis, reflecting the growing global popularity of Japanese cuisine.
Usage Examples
- Talking about ramen: 'Craving a bowl of hot ramen with some narutomaki! 🍥🍜'
- Sharing a meal: 'My lunch today! 🍥'
- Representing Japanese culture: 'Exploring the delights of Japan, one bowl at a time. 🍥'
- Expressing warmth/comfort: 'Nothing beats a warm bowl of noodles on a cold day. 🍥'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
May be less immediately recognizable as a food item by those unfamiliar with traditional Japanese cuisine, possibly perceived as an abstract design or a general Asian food symbol.
East Asian culture:
Instantly recognized as narutomaki, a beloved and iconic ingredient in many noodle dishes, especially ramen. Evokes nostalgia or desire for Japanese food.