It turns out that Korean carp cakes and carp fillet cakes are not the same. Although both are often shaped like fish and are common traditional snacks on the streets of Korea, they have significant differences in their ingredients, texture and preparation methods. 
Barracuda cakes (often referred to as "Korean-style barracuda cakes" or "small fish cakes") are typically made with flour, eggs, and milk as the base. Baking powder is added to make them fluffy. They are then filled with red bean paste, cream filling, or other sweet fillings and baked. The texture is sweet, with a crispy exterior and a soft interior, resembling more of a dessert. They are commonly found in Korean night markets or snack stalls and are highly favored by young people and tourists. 
The carp cake is more similar to the "salmon roll" in Japan. It has the shape of a carp and uses a batter similar to that of a muffin. It is baked in a special mold and usually filled with red bean paste in the middle. Although the name contains "carp", it actually does not contain any fish ingredients. This pastry originated from the cultural symbol of carp leaping over the dragon gate in East Asia. Later, it evolved into a popular street food in Korea. 
It is worth noting that the names "herring cake" and "carp cake" can easily lead to misunderstandings, making people think they are savory foods made from real fish, but in fact both are sweet pastries. The naming mainly comes from their appearance. Moreover, with the evolution of dietary culture, nowadays there are also variant versions with modern flavors such as chocolate, cheese, and ice cream on the market, further enriching consumers' choices. 
These two kinds of snacks not only embody the craftsmanship characteristics of traditional Korean pastries, but also reflect the unique way of integrating cultural imagery into daily diet in this region. When walking along the streets and alleys of Seoul, one can often see people holding steaming fish-shaped pastries in their hands and eating while walking, forming a warm urban scene.