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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Surimi

Surimi is a processed fish paste made from minced, washed fish flesh, especially white fish such as pollock, that is used as an ingredient in seafood products and as a base for imitation crab and similar foods.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Surimi is a processed fish paste made from minced, washed fish flesh, especially white fish such as pollock, that is used as an ingredient in seafood products and as a base for imitation crab and similar foods. The term is Japanese and literally means 'ground meat.' In many markets, 'surimi' refers both to the raw protein paste and to finished seafood products made from it.

Definition

Surimi is a concentrated fish paste or protein base made from minced fish flesh. It is valued for its ability to be formed, flavoured, and coloured into many seafood-style products.

Production

Traditional and industrial surimi production involves deboning fish, washing the flesh to remove fat and water-soluble proteins, and then stabilising the paste for freezing or further processing.

Uses in food

Surimi is used as an ingredient in a range of processed seafood products, especially imitation crab and other shellfish substitutes. It also appears in regional dishes and prepared foods such as fish cakes and seafood salads.

History and origin

Surimi originated in Japan, where fish preservation and processing methods using minced fish developed centuries ago. The modern industrial form expanded internationally in the 20th century.

Key facts

  • Surimi is made by mechanically deboning fish, washing the flesh, and turning it into a protein-rich paste.
  • It is commonly produced from inexpensive white fish and can be shaped and flavoured to resemble crab, lobster, or other seafood.
  • The word surimi comes from Japanese and means 'ground meat.'
  • In some contexts, surimi refers to the finished product; in others, it refers to the raw paste used to make processed seafood.
  • Surimi is widely used in foods such as crab sticks, sushi fillings, seafood salads, and fish balls.
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Canadian context

Surimi is commonly sold in Canadian supermarkets as crab-flavoured sticks, seafood salad ingredients, and sushi fillings, and it is widely used in Canadian grocery and prepared-food products.

Frequently asked questions

What is surimi made from?
Surimi is made mainly from fish flesh, often from white fish such as pollock, which is deboned, washed, and processed into a paste.
Is surimi the same as imitation crab?
No. Surimi is the fish-based paste or ingredient; imitation crab is one finished food product commonly made from surimi.
What does the word surimi mean?
Surimi is a Japanese word meaning 'ground meat.'
Why is surimi used in seafood products?
It has a mild flavour and a texture that can be shaped to resemble more expensive seafood such as crab or lobster.
Is surimi always a finished food?
No. In food processing, surimi can mean the raw paste or intermediate ingredient, depending on the country and context.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surimi
    Supports: General definition, Japanese origin, and use as imitation seafood
  2. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surimi
    Supports: Definition as a fish product made from inexpensive whitefish and used to resemble seafood
  3. ScienceDirect — https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/surimi
    Supports: Production method and description as a concentrate of myofibrillar proteins from fish flesh
  4. Good Fish — https://goodfish.org.au/resource/what-is-surimi/
    Supports: Japanese origin, processing, and common culinary uses
  5. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/surimi
    Supports: Definition as a paste used in imitation seafood products