カニカマ

かにかま
noun
imitation crab stick
food
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(い)れる。
To put crab sticks in a salad.
カニカマは手軽(てがる)でおいしい。
Crab sticks are convenient and tasty.
子(こ)どもたちはカニカマが大好(だいす)きで、お弁当(べんとう)に入(い)れるといつも喜(よろこ)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(ふうみ)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

general
Added 2026.2.10 17:06 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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