Kani

Kani is a term with multiple uses across languages and contexts. In Japanese, kani (かに) means crab and is used to refer to the animal as well as to dishes featuring crab meat.

In culinary contexts, kanikama is the common Japanese term for imitation crab meat, a processed seafood product made from surimi, typically white-fleshed fish such as pollock. The paste is blended with starch, salt, sugar, and flavorings, formed into shapes that resemble crab legs or sticks, and then cooked. Kanikama is widely used in sushi rolls, salads, and hot dishes as a crab substitute.

Outside Japan, the term kani is sometimes used on menus and packaging to indicate crab or crab-flavored products, especially in fusion or Japanese-influenced cuisine.

Beyond food, kani may refer to names. It is used as a personal name or surname in various languages and can appear as a place name in different regions.

Given its multilingual use, the meaning of kani depends on context, ranging from a literal crab to a culinary product or a proper noun.