Kanitama is a popular Japanese Chinese dish featuring fluffy eggs and surimi (imitation crab sticks) topped with a savory sauce.
It is a comforting meal that pairs perfectly with steamed rice and has long been a favorite at neighborhood Chinese restaurants and home dinner tables across Japan.
This easy recipe uses surimi instead of crab meat, making it affordable and easy to prepare with ingredients that are widely available around the world. Ready in about 15 minutes, homemade Kanitama is a delicious way to enjoy a classic Japanese comfort food.
For the Omelette
- 3 eggs
- Salt and white pepper
- 1/2 green onion
- 100 g surimi (imitation crab sticks)
For the Sauce
- 100 ml water
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp chicken stock powder
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp potato starch
Instructions
1. Prepare the Eggs
Beat the eggs in a bowl and season with salt and white pepper.
2. Stir-Fry the Ingredients
Slice the green onion diagonally and shred the surimi into small pieces.
Heat a little oil in a frying pan over high heat. Stir-fry the green onion and surimi briefly until fragrant.
3. Combine with the Eggs
Add the stir-fried green onion and surimi to the beaten eggs and mix well.
4. Cook the Omelette
Heat a frying pan well and add a generous amount of oil. Sesame oil can be used for extra flavor.
Pour in the egg mixture and gently stir with chopsticks or a spatula. Cook until the outside is set while keeping the center soft and fluffy. Be careful not to overcook the eggs.
Transfer the omelette to a serving plate.
5. Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chicken stock powder, sugar, and potato starch.
Clean the frying pan used for the omelette and return it to the heat. Pour in the sauce mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until it comes to a boil and thickens.
6. Serve
Pour the sauce over the omelette. If desired, garnish with chopped green onions or green peas.
Serve as a side dish, or enjoy it over steamed rice as a delicious rice bowl.
Briefly stir-frying the green onion before adding it to the eggs enhances its flavor. If you don't have green onion, you can simply use the surimi on its own—it will still be delicious.
The key to a fluffy omelette is to cook it quickly over high heat. Be careful not to overcook the eggs—they should stay soft and tender.