Creamy, crunchy, and ready in just 15 minutes
Bring restaurant flavor home with this Kani Salad Recipe (Japanese Crab Salad)—a refreshing and creamy side dish you can whip up in just 15 minutes. Made with shredded imitation crab sticks, crisp cucumber, and a sesame-kissed mayo dressing, it’s the perfect balance of light, crunchy, and savory. 🥗✨ Popular in Japanese restaurants, this salad pairs beautifully with sushi, rice bowls, or grilled meats, but it’s also satisfying enough to enjoy on its own. Quick, easy, and absolutely delicious—this kani salad is guaranteed to become a weeknight and sushi-night favorite./
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients List
- 8 oz imitation crab sticks (kani), shredded by hand
- 1 medium cucumber, julienned (peeled if desired)
- 1 medium carrot, julienned (optional for color & crunch)
- 3 tablespoons Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie recommended)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon sugar (optional, for balance)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (plus more for garnish)
- 1 sheet nori (seaweed), cut into thin strips (optional garnish)
- Masago (fish roe), optional topping for authentic restaurant style
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Sharp knife or julienne peeler
- Cutting board
- Whisk or fork
- Serving bowl
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Prep vegetables: Julienne cucumber and carrot into thin, even matchsticks.
- Shred crab sticks: Pull imitation crab apart with your hands into thin strips. 🦀
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk Japanese mayo, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar until creamy.
- Combine salad: In a mixing bowl, toss shredded crab, cucumber, and carrot. Pour dressing over and mix until evenly coated.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle sesame seeds, add nori strips, and top with masago if desired. Chill slightly before serving for best flavor.
Pro Tips
- Best texture: Use a julienne peeler or mandoline for uniform veggie strips.
- Make ahead: Keep veggies and dressing separate; mix just before serving.
- Seafood upgrade: Use real crab meat for a special occasion version.
- Spicy twist: Add a teaspoon of sriracha to the dressing for a spicy kani salad. 🌶️
Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bowl | 190 | 9g | 13g | 11g | 2g | 4g |