A rapid method to enumerate bacteria adhered on a surimi‐based product (kamaboko) by flow cytometry (FCM) is described. To remove Escherichia coli cells from the surface of kamaboko, ultrasonic energy was used. Almost all cells can be removed from kamaboko in 3 min with ultrasonic treatment. Because the sample might contain various non‐bacterial particles such as food additives and debris of products, propidium iodide was used to discriminate bacterial cells from non‐bacterial particles. Fluorescence scattergrams could distinguish bacteria from the particles, and the FCM method could be used to enumerate bacteria adhered on the surface of kamaboko during storage. Cell numbers determined by FCM paralleled well with those measured using a traditional colony counting method in the range of 104–108 cells/g. The FCM assay could enumerate cells within 1 min and the total assay time, including sample preparation, was less than 30 min.