A review of Samanko, also called fish ice cream.
When you hear “fish ice cream” you might picture something savory, but this is not made from fish. The name refers to the shape: a fish-shaped ice cream treat rather than seafood-flavored dessert. Samanko resembles an ice cream sandwich enclosed in a fish-shaped waffle shell, similar to the popular Japanese taiyaki.
I discovered Samanko during a trip to New Zealand, while browsing the aisles of Davis Trading Co. in Palmerston North. Supermarkets in other countries always catch my attention—especially Asian grocers, where the shelves are filled with both familiar and surprising items. That particular visit was a short, blissful window of time to explore, and the store did not disappoint: everything from tinned jackfruit to frozen abalone lined the shelves.
In the freezer section I found several varieties of Samanko. The one I tried was strawberry-flavored. It consists of a layer of vanilla ice cream with a thin, jam-like strawberry filling, all sandwiched inside the fish-shaped waffle.
On tasting it, the ice cream itself was pleasant and straightforward—creamy vanilla with a sweet strawberry ribbon. The waffle shell, however, was denser and chewier than I expected, which affected the overall texture. The strawberry layer was fairly pale and the whole treat leaned toward very sweet. Still, there was an undeniable charm: a nostalgic quality that can be comforting. I can easily picture both adults and children enjoying Samanko—kids for the shape and sugary taste, and adults for the memories it can summon.
If you like trying unusual yet tasty frozen treats, there are other interesting flavors and recipes worth exploring at home. Consider pistachio ice cream for a rich, nutty option, lemon ice cream for something bright and refreshing, or pandan ice cream for a fragrant, tropical twist.