Narutomaki salad
Narutomaki salad is a light, refreshing Japanese salad that features slices of narutomaki, a pink-and-white processed fish cake with a distinctive spiral pattern, as its star ingredient. It typically combines crisp vegetables like cucumber, lettuce, and carrots with a tangy or savory dressing, often a sesame or ponzu-based sauce. This dish is a popular side or casual meal in Japan, often found in izakayas (pubs) and home cooking.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This salad is generally low in fat and moderate in carbohydrates, with a modest amount of protein coming primarily from the narutomaki fish cake. It provides key nutrients like fiber from the vegetables, some B vitamins, and minerals, with a rough calorie ballpark of 150-250 calories per serving, depending on the dressing and portion size.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 18 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 µg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Vitamin K | 45 µg |
| Calcium | 80 mg |
| Iron | 1.8 mg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg |
| Phosphorus | 150 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Narutomaki itself is culturally iconic, inspired by the swirl of the Naruto whirlpools in Japan's Naruto Strait and famously associated with ramen toppings. Nutritionally, it's a unique way to add a fun, visually appealing protein element to a vegetable dish, making healthy eating more playful.
