カニカマ
かにかま
noun
imitation crab stick
1.
imitation crab, crab stick, surimi stick
A processed seafood product made from surimi (fish paste) shaped and colored to resemble crab meat. A common and affordable ingredient in Japanese cooking.
サラダにカニカマを入れる。
To put crab sticks in a salad.
カニカマは手軽でおいしい。
Crab sticks are convenient and tasty.
子どもたちはカニカマが大好きで、お弁当に入れるといつも喜ぶ。
The kids love crab sticks and are always happy when I put them in their lunch boxes.
ETYMOLOGY:
Short for カニ風味かまぼこ (crab-flavored kamaboko). カニ means crab, and カマ is short for かまぼこ (fish cake).
USAGE:
カニカマ is an extremely popular processed food in Japan, used in salads, sushi, bento boxes, and as a snack. Japan invented crab sticks in 1972, and they are now consumed worldwide.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- カニカマサラダ: crab stick salad
- カニカマの天ぷら: crab stick tempura
- カニカマを裂く: to shred crab sticks