dango
Unicode: 1F361
Description
A Japanese fish cake, typically pink or red on the inside and white on the outside, often with a distinctive swirl pattern. It is commonly served as an ingredient in ramen or other noodle dishes.
Group:
Food & Drink > food-asian
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Neutral, as it represents a food item. Its use usually conveys information about food or cultural dishes.
Backstory
The narutomaki emoji represents a type of kamaboko (cured fish paste) with a pink or red spiral pattern. The name 'naruto' may come from the Naruto whirlpools in the Naruto Strait, or from the character Naruto Uzumaki, whose name is also derived from the fish cake. It was introduced as part of Unicode 6.0 in 2010.
Usage Examples
- Talking about ramen: 'My ramen bowl needs more narutomaki! 🍥🍜'
- Describing Japanese food: 'I love trying different Japanese ingredients, like narutomaki. 🍥'
- Sharing a meal: 'Dinner is ready! 🍥🍱'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
May be less recognized outside of Japanese cuisine enthusiasts. Often associated directly with ramen.
East Asian culture:
Widely recognized as a common ingredient in various dishes, particularly in Japan where it's a staple in many traditional meals.