Hanpen is a white, square, triangle or round surimi product with a soft, mild taste. It is believed to have been invented during the Edo period in Japan by a chef, Hanpei (半平) of Suruga, and the dish is named after him. Another theory suggests that because it is triangle shaped and appears to have been cut in half from a square, it is a half piece . It can be eaten as an ingredient in oden or other Japanese soups and stews. It can also be fried or broiled.