fish cake: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “fish cake” mean?
A small patty made from minced or ground fish, typically fried.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small patty made from minced or ground fish, typically fried.
Any cooked food item where fish is the main ingredient and is shaped into a cake or patty form; can also refer metaphorically to something shaped like a fish cake or having its appearance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, a 'fish cake' often contains mashed potato mixed with the fish and is usually breaded and fried. In the US, it is more commonly made from minced fish formed into a patty, sometimes with binding agents, and may be breaded or battered.
Connotations
UK: Common pub food, comfort food, sometimes seen as a simple or economical dish. US: Often associated with Asian cuisine (e.g., Japanese kamaboko, Korean eomuk) or as a processed frozen food item.
Frequency
More frequent in UK everyday speech. In the US, the term is less common than specific names for regional varieties (e.g., 'crab cake' is more frequent).
Grammar
How to Use “fish cake” in a Sentence
[verb] a fish cake[adjective] fish cakefish cake [preposition] [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fish cake” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We decided to fish cake the leftover salmon for lunch.
American English
- She likes to fish cake the tuna before pan-frying it.
adjective
British English
- The fish-cake mixture should be chilled before shaping.
American English
- He ordered the fish-cake appetizer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the food industry, catering, and retail contexts (e.g., 'Our new line of frozen fish cakes').
Academic
Rare, except in culinary studies, food history, or cultural studies discussing foodways.
Everyday
Common in home cooking, restaurant menus, and casual conversation about food.
Technical
Used in food science regarding surimi production, binding agents, and freezing techniques.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fish cake”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fish cake”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fish cake”
- Misspelling as 'fishcake' (though sometimes accepted as a compound), confusing with 'fish pie' (a different dish), using 'fish cake' to refer to a cake-shaped aquarium decoration.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a crab cake specifically uses crab meat, while a fish cake uses other types of fish. However, they are similar in concept and preparation.
Yes, they can be baked for a healthier option, though frying is more traditional and gives a crispier exterior.
Not always. They can be made from fresh, canned, or leftover cooked fish. Many commercial fish cakes use processed fish like surimi.
A fish burger is typically larger, served in a bun, and may be a whole fillet or a thick patty. A fish cake is usually a smaller, flatter patty often eaten without a bun.
A small patty made from minced or ground fish, typically fried.
Fish cake is usually neutral to informal in register.
Fish cake: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪʃ ˌkeɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪʃ ˌkeɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Selling like fish cakes" (rare, implies quick sales, especially near the coast)”
- “"A different kettle of fish cakes" (humorous variant of 'a different kettle of fish')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a birthday cake made of fish—it's a 'fish cake,' not sweet but savory, shaped like a patty.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS A CONSTRUCTED OBJECT (cake as a shaped, assembled item).
Practice
Quiz
What is a typical British fish cake most likely to contain?