Naruto in ramen is a type of Japanese fish cake called narutomaki (often just “naruto”), made from seasoned, pureed white fish (surimi) that’s shaped, steamed, and sliced into rounds with a pink spiral in the middle.

Quick Scoop

  • It’s a kind of kamaboko (cured fish paste) commonly used as a topping for ramen, udon, and other noodle soups in Japan.
  • The signature pink swirl is inspired by the natural whirlpools in the Naruto Strait in Japan, which is also why it’s called “naruto.”
  • The edges are typically jagged or “cloud-shaped,” giving ramen that iconic anime-style look.
  • Flavor-wise, it’s mild, slightly fishy, chewy, and mostly there for texture and visual flair rather than strong taste.

What Exactly Is It?

Naruto is made from white fish that is pureed, seasoned, formed into a cylinder with a colored spiral, then steamed and sliced into thin discs.

You can eat it as-is or as a topping on ramen, udon, soba, and other Japanese dishes.

In a typical bowl of ramen, you’ll see one or a few slices floating on top, adding a pop of pink-and-white color and a pleasantly bouncy bite.

Fun Bit: Naruto the Anime vs. Naruto in Ramen

The main character Naruto Uzumaki from the series “Naruto” was actually named after this ramen topping, and the swirl in his name “Uzumaki” also refers to a whirlpool/spiral.

That’s why ramen—and especially that little swirly fish cake—shows up so often in the show: it’s a pun, a visual motif, and a cultural nod all at once.

TL;DR: When you ask “what is naruto in ramen,” it’s that white-and-pink spiral slice on top: a mild, chewy fish cake (narutomaki) used mainly for texture, color, and a bit of umami charm.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.