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Home > Recipes

Kani Salad

BY :Bebs | Published: 08/26/ 2019 | Updated:06/13/ 2020 | 9 Comments

RECIPE VIDEO PRINT
5 from 4 votes
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This quick and easy Kani Salad recipe is quite refreshing with sweet notes from ripe mangoes that is a contrast to the lightly savory flavors of Kani and creamy Japanese mayo.

Kani Salad

Contrary to popular notion, Kani Salad is not a traditional Japanese dish. Like many other dishes, it actually first became popular in the US. Commonly served at Japanese-American sushi restaurants that spread to other parts of the world. The main star of this dish is, of course, the Kani, hence the name.

  • What is Kani?
  • What is Kani Salad made of?
  • How to make Kani Salad?
  • Kani Salad

What is Kani?

Kani is popularly known as an imitation crab meat usually found on various Japanese dishes such as sushi. Kani actually means “crab” in Japanese, and the imitation crab meat that we eat is called Kani Kamaboko or simply Kanikami. Regardless of that,  Kani became a widely accepted term for imitation crab meat.

These imitation crab meat are made from white fishes such as Pollock, processed to become a paste called surimi. They are made to taste close to real crab. Each crab stick can be shredded easily and is artificially-colored in red, externally, to mimic the crab’s leg and appearance.

Kani is cheaper than the real crab meat, but, of course, imitation crab can’t compete to the real crab’s nutrition. These crab sticks can be brought on almost all local grocery stores, and are sold already cooked. It is used as an ingredient in various Japanese dishes and street foods and is used worldwide.

What is Kani Salad made of?

Kani Salad Ingredients: kani, cucumber, carrots, mango, Japanese mayo

Making Kani Salad really requires simple ingredients. A typical Kani Salad includes imitation crab sticks, iceberg lettuce, cucumber, carrot, and Japanese mayo.
But if you want to bring it to another level, here are some of the ingredients that you can add:

Mango-adds sweet, juicy taste to your Kani Salad. For best punch, use a perfectly ripe mango and slice it into strips
Avocado-brings healthy goodness. Avocado adds a thick, creamy, buttery taste to your Kani Salad
Kelp Noodles-a glassy noodle made from kelp (sea vegetable) and water. Kelp noodles are light but filling to the tummy.
Corn kernels-adds a juicy, crunchy texture to your Kani Salad

For another added flare you can add some toppings :

Tobiko-a red-orange Japanese fish roe that adds additional seafood taste to your Kani Salad
Sesame Seeds-black sesame seeds will make a great contrast while adding a nutty and crunchy texture to your Kani Salad
Panko-a Japanese type of breadcrumbs that are processed to be flakes. It adds crunchy, crispy texture to your Kani Salad.
Gomashio-a Japanese seasoning made from sesame seeds and salt. It adds a nutty flavor and crunchy texture to your Kani Salad

This Kani Salad recipe though is very simple. I only added ripe mango to give it a fuller flavor, that is sweet, savory with a hint of tanginess.

Kani Salad

How to make Kani Salad?

  1. Peel the carrots and trim off the ends. Cut into 2 or about 3-inch long. Cut into julienne. Do the same with the cucumber leaving the core with seeds to discard.How to make Kani Salad
  2. Shred the crab sticks by hand by gently pressing a piece from end to end to loosen the strips and then separate each strip from one another.How to make Kani Salad
  3. Peel the ripe mango. Cut the flesh into thin slices until you reach the core. Do the same to the other side of the core. Stack the slices together and cut into strips.How to make Kani Salad
  4. In a large bowl, add the cucumber, carrots, Kani, mango and Japanese mayo. Squeeze the juices of half a lemon on top and toss.
  5. Season with salt and pepper as needed and give it another toss until all ingredients are well blended.How to make Kani Salad
  6. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready. Serve on top of a bed of iceberg or romaine lettuce.
Easy Kani Salad Recipe

No Japanese Mayo? No problem.

I tried to compare regular mayonnaise to Japanese mayonnaise to find out the difference. I find that Japanese mayonnaise has a stronger egg flavor. Well, that is because they use only egg yolks in making them.  It is also slightly tangier because they use apple cider or rice vinegar. Lastly, it has that rich 'umami' taste that you cannot find from regular mayo.

If you cannot find Japanese Mayonnaise, the next best thing you can do is make a regular mayonnaise taste almost like it. Just add a little apple cider vinegar and a bit of soy sauce to regular mayonnaise.

Looking for Easy Salad Recipes?

  • Rainbow Salad with Avocado Dressing
  • Pako or Fiddlehead fern Salad
  • Greek Pasta Salad
  • Wurstsalat (Sausage Salad)
  • Couscous Salad
  • Easy Tuna Pasta Salad
Kani Salad Recipe
Kani Salad Recipe
Print Review

Kani Salad

5 from 4 votes
This Kani Salad recipe is very simple and easy to make. Very refreshing with sweet notes from ripe mangoes that is a contrast to the lightly savory flavors of Kani and creamy Japanese mayo.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Course :Salad
Servings =4
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients
 

  • 145 grams Kani (imitation crab meat)
  • 1 medium carrot
  • 2 medium cucumber (or 1 large)
  • 1 piece ripe mango
  • ½ cup Japanese mayonnaise
  • half lemon
  • salt
  • ground pepper

Instructions
 

  • Peel the carrots and trim off the ends. Cut into 2 or about 3-inch long. Cut into julienne.
  • Do the same with the cucumber but do not include the core with seeds.
  • Shred the crab sticks by hand by gently pressing a piece from end to end to loosen the strips and then separate each strip from one another.
  • Peel the ripe mango. Cut the flesh into thin slices until you reach the core. Do the same to the other side of the core. Stack the slices together and cut into strips.
  • In a large bowl, add the cucumber, carrots, Kani, mango and Japanese mayo. Squeeze the juices of half a lemon on top and toss.
  • Season with salt and pepper as needed and give it another toss until all ingredients are well blended.
  • Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready. Serve on top of a bed of iceberg or romaine lettuce.

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 3gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 395mgPotassium: 272mgFiber: 2gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 3200IUVitamin C: 22.9mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 0.4mg
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

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Reader Interactions

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  1. CORAZON T. REVESTIR says

    January 15, 2023 at 8:55 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you very much to a very helpful link to us as Home economics Teacher in Senior High School.

    Reply
  2. Fely eben says

    August 26, 2022 at 10:19 pm

    5 stars
    I love the recipe

    Reply
  3. Jennina Judy D Esteves says

    July 16, 2021 at 2:20 am

    I love the recipe. Thank you for sharing😍

    Reply
  4. Chariz says

    May 24, 2021 at 12:47 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for making this procedure.
    Me and my family love this a lot.
    Yummy in our tummy.

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      May 25, 2021 at 3:24 pm

      My pleasure, Chariz. So happy that you and your family like it.

      Reply
  5. Mrs sunita says

    February 27, 2021 at 3:05 am

    I enjoy the recipes

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      March 03, 2021 at 2:34 am

      Glad to hear it.

      Reply
  6. Rosemarie Reyes says

    October 13, 2020 at 2:22 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you so much, Now i have a new buddy to my cooking journey.

    Rose Reyes

    Reply
    • Bebs says

      March 23, 2021 at 7:58 pm

      You are welcome and hope you enjoy our culinary journey together.

      Reply

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