Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (2024)

This Kani Salad recipe tastes like the side dish you’d order at a Japanese Steakhouse. Thin crab strips with julienned vegetables, a spicy mayonnaise dressing served with crunchy panko breadcrumbs, the perfect combination of flavors.

Add chicken gyozas or our pork potstickers to your dinner, and you’ll feel like you’re at a restaurant.

Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (1)

SPICY KANI SALAD RECIPE-

This Japanese Kani Salad made with thin strips of crab and cucumber and tossed in a spicy dressing is absolutely phenomenal. It’s hard to believe that the salad only requires 3 simple ingredients and the dressing.

What is Kani Salad? Kani salad gets its name from the main ingredient in the salad which is imitation crab meat (also known as Surimi). Kani is widely used in Japanese sushi restaurants, especially in America.

Kani Salad Video Recipe-

Watch Valentina make the popular Kani Salad, and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (2)

INGREDIENTS-

Spicy Kani Salad ingredients are quite simple and may all be easily found at your local grocery store.

  • Crab Meat– Imitation crab sticks work great, but you can use leftover crab meat.
  • Cucumbers- Fresh cucumbers, mini cucumbers, or an English cucumber will work.
  • Panko crumbs– The toasted panko crumbs add texture to the salad.
  • Dressing– We made our own dressing, so easy and delicious.

Variations-

  • Mango– In many restaurants, mango slices are added to the salad for a slight sweetness. Perfect when fresh mangos are in season!
  • Carrot– You can add thinly julienned carrot to the salad as well. Just keep the cut similar to the remaining ingredients.
  • Tobiko– Feel free to add some tobiko to your salad, we normally don’t, but we see it’s quite popular!
Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (3)

HOW TO MAKE KANI SALAD-

Though this salad is absolutely EASY, the prep time is slightly longer than everyday salads because we want the crab and cucumbers really thin. Be patient; it will be worth it.

  1. Make spicy mayo– In a medium bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the Spicy Mayo dressing, or use store-bought spicy mayo.
  2. Cut cucumber– Julienne cucumbers thinly; in my opinion, the thinner you cut the cucumber, the better the salad.
  3. Cut crab- Pull apart the crab meat into thin strands, as thin as you can get them.
  4. Combine– In a large bowl, combine the cucumbers and crab. Add the dressing and toss to combine. Add in the panko crumbs, lightly toss again and serve. Optional, add sesame seeds when serving.

MAKE AHEAD:

Kani Salad may easily be prepared one day in advance. Prepare the dressing and keep it in a container. Cut the cucumbers pull apart the crab and keep covered. Before serving, mix the salad and top it with crumbs.

Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (4)

Frequently Asked Questions-

How do I store leftover salad?

If there’s any leftover salad (probably won’t be), store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will stay fresh for up to 2 days.

What kind of crab can I use?

We used imitation crab sticks but feel free to use real crab!

Do I eat the salad with soy sauce?

Nope, this is all this salad requires, and tastes wonderful!

Do I have to peel the cucumber?

We don’t peel the cucumber as we like the extra texture the skin of the cucumber gives.

Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (5)

I hope this Japanese crab salad becomes a new favorite and is enjoyed as a side salad for dinner or whenever you are enjoying sushi.

More Asian recipes:

Oh, how we love Asian Recipes, so so good! Here are some popular dishes that we often make in our home.

  • Chicken Teriyaki
  • Mongolian Beef
  • Chicken Lo Mein
  • Beef Stir Fry
  • Chicken Lettuce Wraps
  • Chicken Fried Rice

Spicy Kani Salad Recipe

Author: Valentina

Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (6)

Print

5 from 21 votes

This Spicy Kani Salad Recipe is the best copycat salad recipe that you get at a Japanese sushi restaurant. Crab strips with cucumbers in a homemade spicy mayo dressing.

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

salad-

  • 8 oz imitation crab
  • 4 mini cucumbers
  • 3 Tbsp panko bread crumbs
  • 1 portion spicy mayo

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Julienne cucumbers and crab meat in thin strips (or just pull apart the crab).

  • In a mixing bowl, add the cucumber, crab and half of the panko crumbs and toss to combine.

  • Add about ¾ of the dressing to the salad and mix. Add remaining crumbs on top of the salad and drizzle more dressing, if desired.

Nutrition

204kcal Calories15g Carbs2g Protein14g Fat2g Saturated Fat7mg Cholesterol357mg Sodium422mg Potassium2g Fiber7g Sugar215IU Vitamin A10.5mg Vitamin C56mg Calcium1mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts

Spicy Kani Salad Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 204Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 7mg2%

Sodium 357mg16%

Potassium 422mg12%

Carbohydrates 15g5%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 215IU4%

Vitamin C 10.5mg13%

Calcium 56mg6%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Japanese

Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (7)

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Leave a comment

83 comments

  • Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (8)

    • Bonnie Wood

    May I leave out the panko crumbs, or will this totally ruin your recipe? I’m a low carb girl. I appreciate your understanding.

    • Reply
    • Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (9)

      • Valentina’s Corner

      You sure can, Bonnie.

      • Reply
  • Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (10)

    • Tiffany

    i love this! can someone tell me how you get your imation crab into strips like that? Mine comes apart in hunks.

    • Reply
    • Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (11)

      • Valentina’s Corner

      I was able to get them so thin by just cutting slowly with a shark knife. I’m so glad you enjoyed the salas recipe.

      • Reply
  • Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (12)

    • Tanya

    Why does the FAQ mention what kind of vinegar you use but no vinegar is used in this recipe?

    • Reply
    • Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (13)

      • Valentina’s Corner

      Tanya, thank you for catching that. We initially had vinegar in the spicy mayo and changed that to lemon juice, post is updated.

      • Reply
      • Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (14)

        • jessica

        Can you please list the ingredients for the dressing that was originally posted with this recipe? I liked it a lot. Thank you!

        • Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (15)

          • Valentina’s Corner

          Hi, Jessica. We used the spicy mayo for the original recipe as well. We just had the ingredients listed here and now we just link to the post. Thanks so much for visiting our online kitchen. 🙂

      • Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (16)

        • Angie Sanderfer

        Delicious and so easy to make!! Love the little kick from the hot sauce 🙂

        • Reply
        • Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (17)

          • Valentina’s Corner

          Thank you so much, Angie. I’m so glad you enjoyed the Kani Salad Recipe.

          • Reply
      • Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (18)

        • Janice

        made this delicious salad and family really enjoyed this meal

        • Reply
        • Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (19)

          • Valentina’s Corner

          Thank you so much, Janice. We love the crab and cucumber salad as well, it’s such a treat.

          • Reply

      More Comments

      Spicy Kani Salad Recipe (Crab and Cucumber) (2024)

      FAQs

      What is kani salad made of? ›

      This Kani Salad is light and refreshing using imitation crab together with cucumber, and mango in a creamy spicy mayonnaise dressing. A Kani Salad is a Japanese style salad made with crab and julienned thinly sliced ingredients with a creamy spicy mayonnaise dressing. It's very popular in American Japanese restaurants.

      What is spicy crab salad made of? ›

      The base is crab meat and cold rice noodles, with a fresh element from carrots, cucumbers, and scallions. The dressing is a tangy and spicy combination of sriracha, vinegar, and mayo. It's one of the most flavorful side salads you'll ever eat, and it only takes 10 minutes to make!

      How many calories does spicy kani salad have? ›

      Is Kani Salad Healthy? Yes, this salad is healthy — especially this one, with no added sugar. Wondering about kani salad calories? Each serving has 169 calories.

      What is Kani made of? ›

      First, what is kani? Kani simply means 'crab' in Japanese. In this context, it refers to imitation crab meat. They look like real crab legs, but instead are made from white fish, such as pollock, that has been processed and mixd with starch to mimic the shape, texture, and flavor of crab legs.

      What type of crab is Kani? ›

      The word “Kani” is actually Japanese for “crab,” usually imitation crab meat. Kani is most commonly served as a spicy Kani maki roll, consisting of cooked crab meat covered in rice and then wrapped in seaweed. Kani can be served shredded or in Kani sticks, which are meant to be eaten like crab legs.

      What kind of meat is imitation crab? ›

      Just like the name implies, imitation crab contains no crabmeat. Fish is, however, one of the main ingredients. It is made using surimi, which is a paste made of fish and a few other ingredients. Surimi is often made with pollock, which is also used to make fish sticks and breaded fish products.

      Is eating crab salad good for you? ›

      Rich in vitamins and minerals, crab meat is also low in fat and contains Omega-3 polyunsaturated acids. Helps provide protection from heart disease and aids brain development. Some research suggests that Omega-3 also inhibits aggressive behaviour. And it's not just any old Omega-3 – it's the long chain variety.

      How do you shred Kani? ›

      Just take them out of their Individual wrappers and press down on them with a rolling pin. Roll until you get them as shredded as you'd like. Bonus points if you do this in a large zip top bag to keep the mess contained. If you're shredding lots and lots, just use an electric mixer!

      Is crab salad good for you? ›

      Crab is packed with protein, which is important for building and maintaining muscle. Crab also contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and selenium. These nutrients play vital roles in improving general health while helping prevent a variety of chronic conditions.

      Is Kani high in carbs? ›

      Sushifaq Kani (surimi) King Crab (fake) (1 serving) contains 4.3g total carbs, 4.3g net carbs, 0.1g fat, 2.2g protein, and 27 calories.

      Does kani salad have carbs? ›

      Bento Nouveau Kani (imitation Crab) Salad Salade De Crabe) (1 serving) contains 10g total carbs, 10g net carbs, 7g fat, 6g protein, and 130 calories.

      Are fake crab sticks healthy? ›

      Imitation crab is a highly processed food made by combining minced fish with starch, egg whites, sugar, salt, and additives to mimic the flavor, color, and texture of real crab meat. While it's significantly less expensive than real crab, it's also less nutritious.

      Is Kani real or fake crab? ›

      In Japan, imitation crab meat is referred to as kanikama. In the U.S., it is often referred to simply as kani. Imitation crab is a key ingredient in California sushi rolls, along with avocado and cucumber, and is used as a crab substitute in Japanese cuisine.

      What's the difference between crab and kani? ›

      In many cases, kani sushi is made with imitation crab meat, which is a processed seafood product made from white fish that has been flavored and colored to resemble crab meat. This is often referred to as “kanikama” or “surimi” in Japanese. Kani sushi is a popular delicacy in Japan and around the world.

      Does kani taste like crab? ›

      Introduction to Kanikama: The World of Imitation Crab Meat. Kanikama is a processed seafood product that looks and tastes like real crab meat sticks. It's particularly common to see this ingredient in Asian recipes. This seafood ingredient is not new to the Japanese culinary world.

      Is kani always imitation crab? ›

      Kani sushi literally translated to "crab sushi" in Japanese, as the word Kani or Kanikama translates to crab. This doesn't however mean it always uses real crab meat. Typically, Kani sushi uses imitation crabmeat which is also known as surimi or crabsticks.

      Is imitation crab salad good for you? ›

      Imitation crab is a highly processed food made by combining minced fish with starch, egg whites, sugar, salt, and additives to mimic the flavor, color, and texture of real crab meat. While it's significantly less expensive than real crab, it's also less nutritious.

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