Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
There are many kinds of kamaboko—aka fish cake—to choose from in Japan. But pretty much everyone loves hanpen. Uniquely fluffy, this popular delight is made with pollock. Toshio Oka knows how to shape and boil hanpen to perfection. He invites us to join him in the kitchen Kanmo in the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo. The legendary fish cake shop has been making some of the world’s best hanpen since 1688.
Welcome to Great Big Story: Where the extraordinary hides in plain sight. From forgotten histories and unsung heroes to mind-blowing innovations and mesmerising cultures, We’re a global storytelling collective obsessed with the extraordinary tucked inside the everyday. Our producers are filmmakers, adventurers, and curious souls who believe a great story can change how you see the world. We publish new videos every week. Please join us in exploring a world of fascinating perspectives around history, culture, technology, food, real life stories, and beyond.
There are many kinds of kamaboko—aka fish cake—to choose from in Japan. But pretty much everyone loves hanpen. Uniquely fluffy, this popular delight is made with pollock. Toshio Oka knows how to shape and boil hanpen to perfection. He invites us to join him in the kitchen Kanmo in the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo. The legendary fish cake shop has been making some of the world’s best hanpen since 1688.
Welcome to Great Big Story: Where the extraordinary hides in plain sight. From forgotten histories and unsung heroes to mind-blowing innovations and mesmerising cultures, We’re a global storytelling collective obsessed with the extraordinary tucked inside the everyday. Our producers are filmmakers, adventurers, and curious souls who believe a great story can change how you see the world. We publish new videos every week. Please join us in exploring a world of fascinating perspectives around history, culture, technology, food, real life stories, and beyond.
