カニカマボコ
かにかまぼこ
noun
imitation crab meat; surimi sticks shaped and flavored to resemble crab
1.
imitation crab meat; surimi sticks shaped and flavored to resemble crab
Often abbreviated to カニカマ in casual speech.
サラダにカニカマボコを入れた。
I put imitation crab in the salad.
カニカマボコは値段が安くて便利だ。
Imitation crab is cheap and convenient.
子供たちはカニカマボコが大好きで、お弁当にもよく入れる。
The kids love imitation crab, so I often put it in their bento boxes.
A compound of カニ (crab) and 蒲鉾 (fish cake). Made from surimi (processed fish paste) that is shaped, colored, and flavored to resemble crab leg meat. A Japanese food invention from the 1970s that has become popular worldwide.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- カニカマボコのサラダ: imitation crab salad
- カニカマボコの天ぷら: imitation crab tempura
- カニカマボコ入り: containing imitation crab
SIMILAR WORDS:
- カニカマ: imitation crab (common abbreviation)
- 蒲鉾: fish cake (the base product)
- すり身: surimi (the raw fish paste material)
CULTURAL NOTES:
Invented in Japan in 1972, カニカマボコ (usually called カニカマ) is one of Japan's most successful food exports. It is made from white fish such as 鱈 (cod) and is valued for being high in protein, low in fat, and affordable. In Japan, it is a staple ingredient in 弁当, salads, and 寿司.