This mild, refreshing, and colourful Japanese Kani Salad recipe is very easy and fast to whip up with imitation or actual crab, corn kernels, and cucumbers. Tossed in a creamy citrus-soy dressing, it‘s assured to be successful together with your complete household!
In the event you ceaselessly go to Japanese-American sushi eating places, you’d be conversant in Kani Salad. A colourful salad that includes shredded imitation crab and crunchy greens in a mayonnaise-based dressing. It’s mild, creamy, candy, crunchy, and savory. I can see why Kani Salad receives such reputation within the US.
Right here, I’m going to share how the Japanese put together the Japanese Kani Salad (カニカマサラダ) with a do-it-yourself dressing.
What’s Kani Salad?
Kani Salad, or what we name Kanikama Salad (カニカマサラダ) in Japan, is a Japanese crab salad that may be a common home-cooked aspect dish, however it’s not one thing you’ll see on the menu at eating places. Exterior of Japan, nonetheless, it’s a staple in lots of Japanese-American sushi eating places or Japanese steakhouses.
Kani (カニ, 蟹) in Japanese means crab, whereas kanikama refers to imitation crab meat (or imitation crab sticks), a seafood product product of starch and pureed white fish corresponding to pollock or cod. These crab meat sticks are supposed to imitate the style and texture of the recent crab. It’s a common ingredient in sushi and salads due to its long-frozen shelf life and ease of use.
You can use actual crab meat (particularly should you’re trying to make it gluten-free) for kani salad, however we usually use imitation crab for comfort. I used imitation crab in my recipe as I developed an allergy to crab once I was in my early 20s.
Key Tip to Reaching Greatest Kani Salad
In Japan, the unique salad known as the kanikama salad and it’s executed barely otherwise from the American variations. To be sincere, I used to be fairly shocked to see how completely different the salad is made right here.
salad ought to be in excellent concord as stability is vital in Japanese delicacies. Which means not overdoing it with elements, dressing, or panko breadcrumbs! Much less is extra on this recipe.
Elements For Kani Salad
- Imitation crab meat (also referred to as surimi within the US, or kanikama in Japan) or actual crab meat
- English, Persian, or Japanese cucumber (those with much less seeds)
- Candy corn kernels (recent, frozen, or canned)
- Dressing (see under)
- Non-compulsory add-ins: greens corresponding to julienned carrot, edamame, glass noodles or kelp noodles.
For a scrumptious Kani Salad, it’s vital to maintain the elements easy whereas making a distinction of textures and tastes. You need to style the harmonious flavors in each chew.
For Do-it-yourself Mayo Ponzu Dressing
The dressing for this Kani Salad is fast and easy to combine up, utilizing solely 4 elements.
- Japanese Mayonnaise (Kewpie Mayo) – see extra under.
- Ponzu sauce – Product of soy sauce and citrus juice, ponzu lends a tart-tangy savoriness to the creamy mayonnaise. You will discover it at Japanese/Asian grocery shops. Or make a fast ponzu sauce by combining 1 Tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tsp soy sauce, 1-2 tsp lemon juice, and 2-3 tsp orange juice or mirin.
- Soy sauce – common or gluten-free
- Toasted white sesame seeds
This dressing is a stability of creamy, tangy, shiny, and zesty. You can also make it forward and retailer it for 3 days within the fridge.
Japanese Mayonnaise (Kewpie Mayo)
You wish to use Japanese mayonnaise to make kani salad if doable. The mayonnaise is richer, and creamier than common mayo, and the slight tang and sweetness would make a distinction within the dressing.
It’s price getting Japanese mayonnaise so it’s also possible to make Japanese Potato Salad, Japanese Egg Sandwich, or Spicy Mayo in your sushi. The most well-liked model is the Kewpie mayonnaise. You should purchase this mayonnaise on Amazon, or out of your native Japanese and Asian grocery shops.
I even have a Homemade Japanese Mayonnaise recipe. Search for the straightforward model if it’s essential use the common American mayonnaise.
Variations
This salad can also be nice for improvisation. The one recommendation I’ve is to maintain your mixture easy and to not embrace greater than 6 elements.
- Spice it up! You can also make spicy kani salad by including some sriracha sauce and recent grinds of black pepper to the dressing.
- Add a tropical contact with mango or pineapple.
- Add some crunch.
- Fancy up by topping with fish roe corresponding to tobiko.
What to Serve with Kani Salad
I prefer to serve my Kani Salad on a mattress of lettuce leaves to provide the salad some top and produce out the colours. We take pleasure in this Japanese salad with just about the whole lot! Japanese housewives typically serve it as a part of Ichiju Sansai (Japanese ‘one soup three dishes’ meal), however you may definitely serve this tasty kani salad with common dishes corresponding to:
In the event you want to make forward or serve it at a potluck, simply ensure that to maintain the salad and dressing elements individually within the fridge. Combine the whole lot collectively proper earlier than serving. Will probably be successful with everybody!
Extra Japanese Salad Recipes You’ll love
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Japanese Kani Salad
This mild, refreshing, and colourful Japanese Kani Salad recipe is very easy and fast to whip up with imitation or actual crab, corn kernels, and cucumbers. Tossed in a creamy citrus-soy dressing, it‘s assured to be successful together with your complete household!
Servings: 4 (as aspect dish)
Elements
For the Ponzu Mayonnaise Dressing
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Directions
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In the event you‘re utilizing imitation crab, minimize the sticks in half crosswise. Then, shred 5 oz actual or imitation crabmeat into skinny strips. Peel ½ English cucumber in a striped sample. Lower the cucumber in half lengthwise, then minimize diagonally into skinny slices.
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In a medium bowl, mix the shredded imitation crab, cucumber slices, and ½ cup frozen or canned corn (defrosted/drained) To the identical bowl, add the dressing elements: 2 Tbsp Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp ponzu, 1 Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds, and ½ tsp soy sauce. Mix nicely. Serve the salad in particular person bowls or a big serving bowl. Get pleasure from!
Vitamin
Vitamin Information
Japanese Kani Salad
Quantity per Serving
% Each day Worth*
* P.c Each day Values are based mostly on a 2000 calorie weight-reduction plan.
Editor’s Observe: The submit was initially revealed on March 7, 2011. The photographs have been up to date in June 2014 and the content material was up to date on August 5, 2022.
