Easy Creamy and Spicy Kani Salad Recipe
Make restaurant-style Kani Salad at home. This quick imitation crab salad is creamy, refreshing, and perfect as a sushi side dish or light lunch.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 oz imitation crab sticks (kani), shredded
- 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced or julienned
- 1/4 cup Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie recommended)
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (adjust for spice preference)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots (optional)
- 1 tablespoon tobiko or masago (fish roe, optional for topping)
- 1 teaspoon furikake (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Shred the imitation crab sticks finely using your fingers or two forks. Place the shredded kani in a medium bowl.
- Add the thinly sliced cucumber and shredded carrots (if using) to the bowl with the crab.
- In a separate small bowl, prepare the dressing. Whisk together the Japanese mayonnaise, Sriracha, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until smooth. This creates your creamy and spicy mayo base.
- Pour the dressing over the kani and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together until the crab and vegetables are evenly coated.
- Taste the salad and adjust the spice or sweetness if needed.
- For best flavor, cover the bowl and chill the Kani Salad in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to combine.
- Serve the salad cold. Top with tobiko and furikake, if desired. This is a fantastic appetizer or sushi side dish.
Notes
- For a tangier dressing, add a few drops of fresh lemon juice to the mayonnaise mixture.
- If you do not have Japanese mayonnaise, you can substitute regular mayonnaise, but add a small dash of white vinegar for a similar tang.
- This salad works well as a light lunch when served over a bed of crisp lettuce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 35