This two-ingredient, no-cook pupu is tasty and pretty to take to a party. Storebought kim chee is stuffed into chikuwa fish cake. When sliced into rounds, it makes the perfect finger food.
Roberta Chong Kee of Hawaii Kai learned this appetizer from her Maui Chong Kee relatives.
Chikuwa is a white and brown fish cake, usually sold next to the more popular pink-and-white kamaboko in the refrigerated fish section of any market. It is made out of fish paste, or surimi, wrapped around a tube and steamed or grilled.
The tube leaves a hole down the center of the fishcake that is a perfect receptacle for any type of stuffing. Chikuwa means bamboo ring in Japanese and that’s what the fish cake looks like when sliced.
Select any variety of kim chee made with cabbage or won bok (Napa cabbage). Any level of spiciness will work. Chop it finely and squeeze out all the liquid. Then just push the kim chee in the hollow.
Prepare it the night before your party and wrap it in plastic wrap or in a plastic bag and keep refrigerated. Slice it into pretty rounds at the party or beforehand and arrange on a platter.
Garnishes are not necessary, but you can add whatever strikes your imagination: a dot of Sriracha sauce, parsley leaf, fish eggs (tobiko or ikura), or even a corn kernel.
Experiment with other stuffings like cucumbers, yellow takuan (pickled daikon), cooked burdock root (gobo) or olives.
Make kim chee-stuffed chikuwa your easy-peasy potluck appetizer.
KIM CHEE-STUFFED CHIKUWA
By Lynette Lo Tom
- 1/2 cup finely chopped won bok (Napa cabbage) kim chee
- 1 (5.5-ounce) chikuwa fish cake
Drain kim chee, then squeeze it so all liquid is removed. Stuff kim chee fish cake. Wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Slice into rounds to expose the kim chee filling. Serves 6-8 as an appetizer.
Nutritional information unavailable.
”Easy Kine” features simple dishes that start with commercially prepared ingredients. Lynette Lo Tom is excited to hear your tried-and-true suggestions. Contact her at 275-3004, email lynette@brightlightcookery.com or via instagram at @brightlightcookery.
