Surimi Sushi Recipes: Unleashing the Flavor of Surimi

Introduction

Surimi sushi is a popular choice among sushi lovers because it has tasty and unique flavors. As its name suggests, surimi sushi is made with surimi, a refined fish myofibrillar protein that is produced through multiple processes.

In the surimi industry, there are two types of surimi: tropical surimi and cold water surimi. Each of these types offers its own uniqueness and delicate taste.

Even though surimi sushi clearly contains surimi, the sushi does not directly use surimi. Surimi in sushi comes in a different form called surimi seafood.

Before it is used in sushi, surimi goes through a number of processes in which the main ingredient, fish, is mixed with natural flavors. This step produces a variety of surimi seafood, such as crab sticks, fish balls, fish sausages, and more.

Fun fact: Sushi does not contain real crab meat; instead, it uses surimi that undergoes various processes to produce crab sticks. That is why it is also known as an imitation crab.  

The use of surimi in sushi, with crab sticks being the most common type, has become very famous in the culinary world.

Common Surimi Seafood Used in Sushi

One of the most well-known surimi seafoods is crabstick, which is also called kanikama in Japanese. It is also the most popular type of surimi seafood used in sushi.

Crabstick offers a cheaper version compared to real crab meat. In the surimi industry, it is mostly made from cold water surimi, specifically pollock surimi.

Since crab sticks are easy to use and can be cut into different shapes, crab sticks are great for making sushi rolls, nigiri, and other sushi meals.

The firm texture also adds a satisfying bite to sushi. This enhances the overall dining experience, which has driven it into the most favorable surimi in sushi.

Other than that, sushi chefs now find the flavor and texture of crabsticks to be a convenient option due to their easy availability in most grocery stores.

Surimi Sushi Recipes

Surimi sushi recipes can help you make your sushi at home, which is also a great experience for sushi lovers. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can create delicious and authentic surimi sushi.

1. California Sushi Roll
   
   

   

California sushi roll is one of the popular sushi that you can try at home by yourself! To make a California sushi roll, you will need 4.5 ounces of rice, 1 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of vinegar, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, 3 surimi sticks, ½ avocado (sliced), 2 nori sheets, and ½ cup of soy sauce.

Firstly, add water and rice to a saucepan, and then bring it to a boil. After that, cover the saucepan with a lid, and do not forget to keep the heat low. Let the rice cook for another 15 minutes.

While you are waiting for the rice, you may start to slice the crab sticks and avocado. When the rice is finally cooked, take one nori sheet and spread the rice on it.

Then, lift the back of the nori sheet and roll it over the filling. You can use a sushi mat to help shape the roll. You may repeat the process for the next nori sheet. Next, add the sliced crab sticks and avocado on top of the rice.

After that, roll it using a sushi mat to help you shape the roll. Repeat this for the next nori sheet you want to make.

The finishing touch: when you are finished with all the rolls, slice each of the sushi rolls you have made into 5–6 pieces. Now you can enjoy your self-made California sushi roll, and you can try it with soy sauce for dipping!

2. Kani Sushi (Spicy Crab Roll)
   
   

   

Kani sushi, also known as spicy crab roll, is another surimi sushi that you can make by yourself at home.

To make kani sushi, you need to prepare 1 cup Japanese rice, 1 cup water, 1 to ½ tablespoons Japanese rice vinegar, ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce, 4 to 6 pieces of nori sheets, and 8 to 12 pieces of kani or crab sticks.

First, cook the sushi rice until it gets tender. After it has cooked, let it cool for a moment. Mix the rice with sushi vinegar when it gets cooler.

Then, mix mayonnaise with Sriracha sauce for the spicy mayo. Next, shred your crab sticks. After that, mix the spicy mayo you have made with the shredded crab sticks. This will create a flavorful crab salad.

Next, prepare a half sheet of nori on a sushi mat. Spread the sushi rice on the nori, then sprinkle it with sesame seeds. The sesame seeds are optional; you may skip them.

Then, flip the nori sheet over so the rice is facing down. Now, add the spicy crab salad you have mixed in the middle of the nori sheet. Then, roll it using a sushi mat.

Last but not least, slice the sushi roll into several pieces, and you can top it with more spicy mayo and sesame seeds.

And that’s your self-made kani sushi to enjoy!

3. Spicy Crab-ocado Maki

   

The next surimi sushi you can make at home is spicy crab-ocado maki. This surimi sushi is another budget-friendly sushi recipe using surimi seafood.

Make sure you already have 200g crab sticks, 2 tablespoons Japanese mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon chili oil, ½ thinly sliced avocado, 1 bundle of chives, 2 nori sheets, 2 cups uncooked sushi rice, and 4 tablespoons sushi vinegar.

To make this surimi sushi, make sure you have soaked your sushi rice before you cook it. After that, cook it properly. While the rice cooks, shred your crab sticks and then mix them with Japanese mayonnaise, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and chili oil.

After your rice gets cooked, mix it with sushi vinegar. Then spread the rice over a nori sheet and put the shredded crab sticks that you have mixed with Japanese mayonnaise on top of it. Then add avocado slices and chives.

Next, roll it using a bamboo mat or plastic wrap. After that, let the roll sit for a moment, and then you can start slicing it into several pieces.

Now you have your spicy crab-ocado maki!

Conclusion

All in all, surimi sushi, though it has surimi in it, does not use surimi directly. Instead, the surimi in sushi is in the form of surimi seafood, like crab sticks.

Crab sticks are a popular choice, not only in the surimi industry but also in the sushi world. It offers a firm texture and ease of use in various sushi recipes.

Surimi sushi recipes offer a great opportunity not only for sushi lovers but also for the whole culinary industry to make sushi at home using affordable ingredients, from California sushi rolls to the spicy crab-ocado maki.

Surimi sushi is indeed a great option for those who want to explore both the surimi and sushi worlds. Through surimi sushi, you can explore how surimi offers versatility and unique characteristics in the culinary industry as a more affordable seafood product.