Hanpen

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Hanpen (半片) is a white, triangular shaped surimi product with a soft, mild taste. It is believed to have been invented during Edo period in Japan by a cook, Hanpei (半平)of Suruga and the dish is named for him. Another theory suggests that because it is a triangle shaped and appear to have been cut in half from a square, it is a half (半) piece (片). It can be eaten as an ingredient in a oden or soup. It can also be fried or broiled.

In Shizuoka Prefecture, whole sardines are used and the resulting product has a bluish gray color. This is called Kuro Hanpen, literally black hanpen.