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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer

    Spicy Kani Salad

    Published: Apr 13, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Spicy Kani Salad is a Japanese crab salad made with imitation crab meat and cucumber in a spicy mayonnaise dressing. Kani is the Japanese word for crab so it translates to spicy crab salad. It can be found in many American Japanese restaurants and sushi restaurants and I have had it a few times and wanted to try it for myself. You can sometimes buy store kani salad in deli sections that has pre-made salads.

    Spicy Kani Salad served on a black plate with chopsticks

    This spicy kani salad recipe is so easy to make that you wouldn't want to buy it out when you can make it fresh at home. This is a very easy kani salad recipe and doesn't take a lot of prep time and there is no cook time.

    Kani Salad Ingredients

    overhead shot of individual kani Salad ingredients

    Imitation Crab- The main ingredient is imitation crab which actually has no crab at all. It is white fish that is pressed into stick or flake style form to mimic the texture of real crab meat. If using the imitation crab sticks or kani sticks, they will easily shred into long strips to look similar to the thin strips of the vegetables.

    Vegetables- The most common vegetables in a kani salad is cucumber and carrots. Crunchy vegetables are used to give textures to the salad. Using a julienne peeler will help achieve the thin strands like the kani.

    Kewpie Mayonnaise- Japanese mayonnaise uses egg yolks only over regular mayonnaise that uses whole eggs. If you can not find it in your local grocery stores in the international section, any asian market will have it. If you have no asian markets close by, ordering it online here as an option.

    Let's Make Delicious Kani Salad

    kani dressing mixed in a mixing bowl with whisk

    To make the kani salad dressing, whisk together kewpie mayo, sriracha sauce, rice vinegar, and a pinch of sugar.

    imitation crab ingredients in a mixing bowl

    In a large bowl add imitation crab, crunchy cucumber, and the creamy dressing. Mix well to evenly distribute the dressing over everything.

    close up of Spicy Kani Salad in a black plate picked up with chopsticks

    Serve with panko bread crumbs and green onions sprinkled on top.

    Can I use regular mayo instead of kewpie mayo?

    Yes! If it is really hard to find, regular mayo will work. You can also use a light mayo if you want to lower the calorie count.

    What else can I add to kani salad?

    You can also add ripe mango, shredded carrots, kelp noodles, black sesame seeds, and/or white sesame seeds. Adding things like soy sauce or sesame oil will bring a different flavor to the dressing.

    Is kani salad healthy?

    It is actually low in calorie at 158 calories per serving. To make it even lower in fat you could use light mayonnaise instead of kewpie or regular mayonnaise. It can also fit into a low carb keto diet by omitting the panko breadcrumbs and pinch of sugar.

    How long does kani Salad last?

    Store in an airtight container for for up to 3 days. Do not add panko until ready to serve to preserve the crunchy texture.

    Other Seafood Recipes You May Enjoy

    • Lobster Mac and Cheese
    • Cajun Salmon
    • Shrimp in Garlic Sauce
    • Seafood Pot Pie
    Spicy kani salad feature image

    Spicy Kani Salad

    Spicy Kani Salad is a Japanese imitation crab salad made with crunchy cucumber and tossed in a spicy creamy dressing.
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    Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Japanese
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 158kcal

    Equipment

    Mixing Bowls
    Cutting Boards

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz imitation crab julienne
    • 2 mini cucumbers julienne
    • 1/4 cup kewpie mayo
    • 2 tsp sriracha
    • 1 tsp white rice wine vinegar
    • 1 tbsp panko bread crumbs

    Instructions

    • Add kewpie mayo, sriracha, and white wine vinegar to a small mixing bowl and whisk to make kani salad dressing.
    • In a large bowl add imitation crab, cucumber, and kani dressing and mix until well combined
    • Top each serving with bread crumb and enjoy.

    Video

    https://itairaeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/KaniSaladWP.mp4

    Notes

    If you are making ahead or storing left overs, do not add Panko bread crumbs until right before serving to preserve crunchy texture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 9.4g | Protein: 7.3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1.5g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 422.3mg | Sugar: 2.5g
    Tried this recipe?Mention @itairaeats on Instagram and hashtag #itairaeats!
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    My name is Itaira and I’m from the garden state known as New Jersey. I’ve had passion for many things but the one thing that is consistent is food. I love everything there is to love about food in every aspect. I welcome you all to join me on this food journey. I hope to inspire you to cook and try new foods... learn more

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