Abstract: The process for making elver or eel substitute uses three separate paste mixtures which are prepared from surimi, salt and olive oil. Two of the paste mixtures have varying amounts of cuttlefish ink so that one of the pastes is gray in color while the other is dark in color. The paste mixture without any cuttlefish ink is light in color. These three separate paste mixtures are then separately transported and extruded through a nozzle head. The nozzle head has a cross-section similar to an elver and the three paste mixtures are joined at the nozzle head to form a layered roll where the light-colored paste is superimposed on the gray-colored paste and a thread of the dark-colored paste is positioned between the two pastes and at one end of the roll. The roll is then cut into pieces which take the appearance of an elver. The pieces are cooked in salt water at 75.degree.-95.degree. C. for 1-3 minutes and then cooled in a thermal shock vat with water at 4.degree. C.