Samanco should not be confused with Samanco District.
Samanco is a South Korean brand of waffle-encased ice cream in the shape of a carp. It typically has an ice cream filling flavored with red bean paste, although other flavors such as chocolate and green tea also exist.[1]
The concept of the food is based on bungeo-ppang (carp bread, that fish being an auspicious symbol).[2] Bungeo-ppang itself is possibly descended from the dish taiyaki from Japan.[3]
Samanco is an emblematic summer fast food, and as of 2023 has achieved popularity in the West, where it is colloquially known as "ice cream fish".[4] [5]