I give up. Fake crab is everywhere.

Stop looking at highest rated on yelp. You want Japan level sushi? Go to some of the top omakase joints. Your strip mall sushi joint will use imitation crab every time.

I love edo sushi like no other but I’m also not turning down a well made California roll lol.

Also, California rolls do exist in Japan.

Surprising to hear that OP did not come across "fake crab, imitation crab, “krab”, surimi, or any variation on ANY sushi in Japan, not once." It's pretty common.

It’s bizarre to me how some people go on a tirade about other people enjoying a food. It takes some logistical swagger (/s), but have you considered just not ordering it?

Communicate with your server and/or cook, and you might not have so much contempt for something you have the power to avoid.

Kanikama was invented in Japan.

okay honestly i love me some kani

that being said soft shell crab should not be imitation crab

So in one roll you get a “good portion” of rice and the other you get a “pile”? Like… what? And where did the avocado and cucumber go in this poor analogy?

Some people do legit like “seafood salad” made with surimi and eat it exactly like you described, so yeah that’s an okay dish I’d eat if it was put in front of me. It’s not my #1 pick or anything I would pick at a sit down restaurant, but I’m not mad if it’s small part of a roll or assortment.

The original California roll, invented in California was made using Surimi.

Only place I've run into that has real crab is Kura.

I like imitation crab. My local BJ's has it in 3x1lb packs and it makes for great seafood tacos, as well as sushi.

I don’t remember seeing fake crab, imitation crab, “krab”, surimi, or any variation on ANY sushi in Japan, 

You'll never guess who invented the stuff.

/shrug

Look for places that have gluten free options - these tend to have options to swap krab for actual crab in any of their rolls. Because, fun and sad fact, most krab has wheat in it!

What's wrong with fake crab? It tastes fine to me

Maybe because imitation crab is cheaper and A LOT of people like the taste of it?

Fake crab is just processed fish. Pretty much fish sticks without the fish flavor added.

If you need real crab, gotta go where they sell em live, then steam the fuck outta em and hammertime.

Or buy lump crab, crab meat that's been picked out already.

The reason why imitation is used is because when you get it out of the shell, king crab legs and spider crab legs have that look. Red on the outside, white inside. Much easier to keep the imitation crab than lump or live crab, safer to eat too.

My husband is allergic to shellfish so we’re grateful everyone is using fake crab.

Imitation crab isn't supposed to be goopy and slimy, what are you talking about

Not sushi, but the most underwhelmed I ever was was when I ordered a lobster omelette once and the omelette had imitation crab in it.

I live in Southern California and it seems to me that fake crab is very easy to avoid if you read the menu. Many places even specify when a California roll has “real crab,” and most are more than willing to substitute real crab for fake (for an higher price) if you wish.

Have you tried ordering Sashimi and Nigiri?

It’s my biggest sushi pet peeve. It’s just a cheap filler and makes me not want to go to that restaurant when it’s in so many rolls.

Don’t complain on r/seafood. People will defend it until death.

Lol. Go to a fine dining sushi bar, not the fast food ones. You know, the kind that’s og and where $100 for two people is on the real cheap side. I promise you won’t see krab there

Why is there fake crab, but not any other fake fish?

both sugarfish and kazunori uses real blue crab for their temaki

American people being ignorant on American people being ignorant oh the irony lol Europeans and Asians won’t like you more because you sprout off stereotypes they like to hear. 😂

I make California rolls at home because it scratches the itch but it's super cheap. I don't get people ordering it at restaurants and paying 10+ dollars a roll for cheap ingredients

i hate fake crab

I hate fake crab too, only not crazy priced place by me that has real crab is kura. Other than a few softshell crab options it's always surimi. At least shrimp is real and available by me.

Americans like rolls, don’t want to pay for real crab, and tend to slather them in mayo anyway.

Honestly, I think krab has its place though. A ton of people like these kind of rolls, but don’t actually like raw fish. It’s a necessary evil to have cheap and accessible sushi.

Had someone order "15 Kani Kama Rolls" for takeout. Thats like $60ish.. couldve had 10 other rolls plus 3-4 Kani Kama rolls still for the same price lol did not understand it but its not mine so 🤷🏻 figured for kids or something haha

I expressed this before, but I don’t mind a krab stick. But the shredded mix with Mayo makes me want to hurl. I just don’t get rolls I used to…sigh

Kura sushi only uses real crab

I just don’t get crab when I’m out to sushi. It can’t be trusted and it seems to almost always be mixed with some unnecessary additive.

I am screening my sushi by krab content too and boy has it cut down impulse buys

Try ordering spicy tuna roll, with canned albacore all spicied up 🤮

It’s the sushi version of a hot dog. I agree, it’s annoying how prevalent it is.

I agree with the intent of this post. I hate adding sauces and fat to sushi just for the sake of making it more flavorful etc. it has it place but it’s place should not be taking the place of the actual fish and healthy meal that is Sushi

i can't stand it either GROSS!