Spicy Crab and Veggie Kani Salad with Crispy Panko Topping Recipe
Kani Salad is a refreshing Japanese crab salad featuring shredded imitation crab sticks and crisp julienned vegetables like carrot, cucumber, and mango. Tossed in a spicy sriracha mayonnaise dressing and topped with crunchy panko and optional sesame seeds, this salad offers a delightful balance of creamy, spicy, and crunchy textures, perfect as a light appetizer or side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Salad:
- 5 oz (250g) imitation crab sticks, shredded into thin strips
- 1 carrot, julienned (3 inches long) – about 1 cup
- 1 cucumber, julienned (3 inches long) – about 1½ cups
- 1 ripe mango, julienned (3 inches long)
- 2 tablespoons panko
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl or jug, whisk together the mayonnaise, sriracha, lemon juice, granulated sugar, salt, and ground black pepper until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients: Using your hands, shred the imitation crab sticks into thin strips. Julienne the carrot, cucumber, and ripe mango into uniform 3-inch long strips for a consistent texture.
- Combine Salad and Dressing: In a large bowl, add the shredded crab sticks, julienned cucumber, carrot, and mango. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy spicy dressing.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the salad to a shallow bowl or serving plate. Sprinkle the top with panko for added crunch and sesame seeds if desired. Optionally, drizzle with a little extra dressing before serving to enhance flavor.
Notes
- For extra crunch, lightly toast the panko before adding it to the salad.
- You can adjust the spiciness by varying the amount of sriracha according to your taste.
- Use fresh, ripe mangoes for a sweet contrast that complements the spicy dressing.
- This salad is best served immediately to maintain the crispness of the vegetables and panko.
- Imitation crab is commonly used, but you can substitute with real crab meat if preferred.
