surimi

American  

[soo-ree-mee] / sʊˈri mi /

noun

1. a paste of inexpensive fish shaped, colored, and flavored in imitation of lobster meat, crabmeat, etc.

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surimi British  

/ ˌsuːˈriːmɪ /

noun

1. a blended seafood product made from precooked fish, restructured into stick shapes

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Etymology

Origin of surimi

1980–85; < Japanese: minced flesh

Example Sentences

At a Trident plant in Minnesota, the surimi is transformed into products such as a flaked protein that resembles crab meat.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 5, 2023

It’s often found in surimi, fish tacos and fish sticks.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 18, 2021

Later, when surimi became widely available, sushi counters substituted the cheap processed fish sticks for king crab.

From Washington Post • Oct. 8, 2019

A study by the National Food Processors Association found that surimi is lower in fat and cholesterol than many fish.

From Time Magazine Archive

According to a 1985 ruling by the Food and Drug Administration, packaged surimi must be labeled "imitation" unless it has been fortified to be nutritionally equivalent to crab, scallops or whatever.

From Time Magazine Archive