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.
Here I’ve made my take on a Kani Salad which is so easy to make and is so refreshing! You only need 3 ingredients, being cucumber, imitation crab, and mango plus the dressing.
It can all be made within 15 minutes in prep time, which makes this a great last minute meal too!
To describe the taste, it reminds me of a California sushi roll with similar flavours and ingredients, minus the rice. This makes it a low carb meal also.
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Ingredients to make this Kani Salad Recipe
- Imitiation Crab Meat is the main ingredient in a Kani Salad. Also known as crab sticks or seafood sticks. Its made from Surimi which is a type of seafood.
- Cucumbers I always use Persian or Lebanese cucumbers as they have a lot more flavour and are far less watery with tiny seeds.
- Mango brings a beautful sweet freshness. Fresh mango is always best however when they aren't in season, frozen mango also works great.
- Kewpie Japanese Mayonnaise is the tradtional mayonnaise used. Its made from egg yolk instead of whole egg.
- Soy Sauce is added for its saltiness and flavour. I always prefer to use salt reduced soy sauce. You can also use Tamari for a gluten free option
- Rice Wine Vinegar is added for a little acidity. White wine vinegar can also be used
- Sriracha sauce is added to make the Japanese Kani Salad spicy. you can add more or less than my recipe depending on how spicy you like it
- Avocado is added on top for its creaminess
- Sesame Seeds I like to add toasted mix colour sesame seeds for garinsh
- Panko crumbs are added on top for a little crunch to the dish and provides texture
How to make a Kani Salad
Time needed: 15 minutes.
- Prepare Ingredients
Cut cucumber, crab sticks, and mango into thin julienne strips. I prefer to pull thin strings of the crab sticks lengthways with my fingers (you can slice them into strips using a knife).
Add all cut ingredients to a bowl. - Make the dressing
In a separate bowl add kewpie Japanese mayonnaise, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and sriracha sauce ) and mix together.
- Mix and serve
Pour the dressing ingredients into the salad bowl and mix until nicely coated. It should be nice and creamy.
Garnish with thin slices of avocado and top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and panko bread crumbs for some crunch!
Tips to make this easy Spicy Kani Salad
- When slicing the ingredients for the salad, you want to try and slice them all in similar lengths and sizes. This is not only for the visual look but also for the perfect texture when eating.
This way, you’ll have a bit of all flavours at the same time with every bite! - Always use Persian or Lebanese cucumbers as they have a lot more flavour and are far less watery with tiny seeds.
- If you can’t find these cucumbers and only have large cucumbers, it’s best to scoop the seeds out and not add them to the salad. The seeds can made the salad watery, especially if the seeds are large
- You can slice the crab sticks with a knife but I find they are easier to handle and turn out better when they are made by pulling strings off the sticks with your fingers
- I’ve used frozen mango as fresh mangoes aren’t available during winter here in Australia. If you’re using frozen mango, I find it easier to slice the mango while they’re frozen. If they’re fully defrosted, they will be softer and hard to slice thin
- Always dress the salad right before serving so that it stays nice and crunchy. The longer it sits in the dressing, it will slowly become softer and can go soggy
- Add the sesame seeds and Panko crumbs right before serving. You want to make sure they keep that crunch
FAQs
Kani salad is low in carbohydrates with no starchy carbs used, except for the panko bread crumbs that are added for garnish
Imitation crab is made from surimi which is fish flesh that has been deboned, washed to remove fat and unwanted bits, then minced into a paste. While imitation crab is made from seafood, it generally contains no crab, other than a tiny amount of crab extract that is sometimes added for flavoring. Source
Yes, however, it can be made healthier by reducing the amount of mayonnaise used or using lower fat mayonnaise.
More Salad Recipes
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to tag @cookingwithayeh and share a photo on Instagram so I can share the love
Recipe
Kani Salad
Ingredients
- 200 g imitation crab meat sticks
- 2 Persian or Lebanese cucumbers
- 1 cup fresh or frozen Mango
Kani Salad Dressing
- 3-4 tablespoon Kewpie Japanese mayonnaise
- 2 ½ teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce (less or more depending how spicy you like it)
Garnish
- ½ avocado
- 2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoon panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Slice cucumber in half lengthways and then into julienne thin strips
- With your fingers, pull thin strings of the crabs sticks lengthways. It’s very similar to pulling string cheese (you can also slice into strips using a knife buy I find it turns out better using your fingers)
- Slice mango into thin slices and add to the same bowl. You’ll want all 3 ingredients cut into thin slices.
- Mix the dressing ingredients in a bowl and pour over the salad bowl (start by using only 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise. Only add the 4th tablespoons if its required after mixing it all in)Mix well together so all of the salad is nicely coated with the dressing. It should be nice and creamy
- Divide into 2 bowls, top each with thin slices of avocado and garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and panko bread crumbs for some crunch!
Rhona
Such a quick and easy recipe, perfect for a hot summers day. It was delicious and super filling. I really enjoyed making this recipe.
Ayeh
Thank you so much, glad you loved it as much as I did!
Anandi
I made the Kani salad today for my family and everyone loved it… It was so easy but brilliant. It took me less than 15 mins to make and I could eat this everyday. It is the perfect salad when you are in a rush and is so good!❤️
Denise Tinsley
Beautiful quick easy to prepare so tasty my new favourite salad love it
Ayeh
Its been one of my new favs too! So glad you loved it Denise xxx
Christine lim
Absolutely beautiful recipe as always! This is so light and healthy. Its beauty also with dried seaweed crumbled on top, makes a great sushi filling also. This is going to make a great bbq side in summer also. Thanks again Ayeh for another gorgeous meal.
Ayeh
Oh yum love that!!!
Ben
Super tasty recipe! I made this earlier today and I have to say it definitely delivered on exactly what I was hoping for and more! Very fun to make and super tasty! Great recipe, thanks again, love it!
Ayeh
So happy you loved it so much Ben, so fun right 🙂
Danielle
Made this the other night and it was so simple and tasted soooo amazing!! It satisfied my craving for sushi at a crazy affordable price! I can’t wait for more simple recipes like this one. 10/10
Ayeh
So glad you loved it, Danielle! Yes so affordable and like a deconstructed sushi roll 🙂
Samara
Yummmm, absolutely amazing
Ayeh
So glad you loved it too Samara 🙂 xx
Julieann
Karni salad is amazing Thankyou Ayer ur so inspiring and amazing at what you do can’t wait for more cooking tik toks and recipes
Ayeh
So glad you loved it sweety, so many more to come! You all inspire me everyday xxx
Fromagebyfarah
I kept looking at this recipe on TikTok and I went out and finally bought the ingredients. Let me tell you it did not disappoint! In under 15 minutes I had thee most delicious salad I’ve eaten. Thank you for the recipe Ayeh.
Ayeh
Aww the best news! so happy you loved it dear x
Victoria
Great recipe!! Very easy to make and is so refreshing. I added a little extra soy sauce on top to fit my taste
Ayeh
So refreshing 🙂 So happy you liked it Victoria and were able to amend the dressing to how you like it xxx
Nurcan
Tried the crab version of the Kani salad, was blown away by the flavour. So fresh and creamy and crunchy and that kick of spice, everthing just worked so well together when combined. This will be a Summer staple for us, thank you for sharing Ayeh! Xx
Ayeh
Yay so happy you loved it so much Nurcan, you are most welcome x
Mony
It was delicious!! Easy and quick to do, I used sesame oil instead of soy sauce and the flavor was so tasty. I'll keep doing more recipes!
Ayeh
Oh yummy yes a splash of sesame would have been great. So happy youve been loving my recipes xxx
Corey
Love this salad! So fresh and easy for summer. Thanks so much for all your ideas
Ayeh
So great for Summer right! Aw you're most welcome, so many more to come xx
Spebels
Amazing, tried this recipe and loved it! Will be making it again
Ayeh
Yay so happy you will be making it again lovely x
Jashira Ramirez
Amazing, refreshing and sooooo delicious obsessed
Ayeh
Aww love that Jashira, its so fresh isnt it 🙂
Natalie D
This is a sensational salad, sweet crunchy texturally amazing! Bursting full of flavor, making it again for lunch today. I adore the mango addition. Thanks for all your amazing recipes and time and effort put into them.
Ayeh
Aww love that you loved it as much as I do! xx
Elena
One of my favourite salad now
Ayeh
Hehe me too Elena! xx
Dana (luvmylatte)
Absolutely love this recipe. It has become a regular of mine.
Ayeh
Me too! So glad you love it Dana xx
Renee Dobson
Another hit with the family. They were skeptical at first because apparently fruit doesn't go in a salad, they all loved it.
Ayeh
So true! I was too but the mango is now my favourite part 🙂
S
This dish is so refreshing and quick to make. I substituted cucumber with celery and it was absolutely yummy! Thank you 🙂
Ayeh
Oh yummy I must try that too!!
Eme Textile
An easy and delicious recipe! I would definitely share it and repeat it!
Ayeh
The best compliment to hear lovely!
Violette
This recipe is absolutely amazing! I used English cucumbers because they were all I could find in my market. This has become one of my favorite recipes. It’s very quick and easy to make, and it tastes absolutely delicious!
Ayeh
Im so happy to hear this lovely, its so nice and fresh isnt it xxx
Lilly Barello
This kani salad is so delicious perfect, quick and easy lunch idea !
Ayeh
So happy you loved it too, its the best quick lunch isnt it xxx
Alexandra
Such a light and fresh meal to make ! It is delicious and so easy to make ! I definitely recommend everyone interested to try this dish !
Ayeh
So glad to hear you love it as much as I do dear!
Lina Beiruty
Omg this salad is something else. Best salad i have ever had. Thank for the very detailed recipe.
Ayeh
Yayy so happy you love it too!
Anandi
I made the Kani salad today for my family and everyone loved it… It was so easy but brilliant. It took me less than 15 mins to make and I could eat this everyday. It is the perfect salad when you are in a rush and is so good!❤️
Ayeh
Aw so happy to hear lovely, especially that your family loved it too xxx
Celine
I rarely have cucumber in my fridge as they rent to go bad before I use them. I’ve made this recipe once with cucumber but the other 2 times I used “coleslaw” mix and the result is AMAZING!!
Ayeh
Ohh love this Celine, it was meant to be 🙂
Sophia
Recipe was on point! Dressing was delicious and salad was so refreshing!
Ayeh
So refreshing on a warm day right 🙂
Sophia
5 stars!
Ayeh
Yay thank you!
Kash
The best salad I’ve ever had such an easy and yummy recipe.
Ayeh
Aw love this xx
Sonia
This salad is amazing, when I saw the recipe this morning I couldn’t wait to make it. It is the best salad I have ever had. I can’t wait to share it with guests. Thank you Ayeh!
Ayeh
Aww so glad to hear this Sonia xxx
Thia
This is so easy and so refreshing!!! Such a wonderful recipe and so versatile!!
Ayeh
So happy you love it too Thia xx
Monique
Love this salad! It's easy to make and the flavours are amazing! We rate our meals at home from 1 to 10 and it's a 9, leaning towards a 10! With the imitation crab it's like a pasta salad. We love it. Thank you Ayeh!
Ayeh
Wow love this dear, so glad you love it so much too xx