Discover the greatness of Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie mayo)! Learn about what makes Japanese mayonnaise a popular choice among chefs and home cooks alike.
Aside from soy sauce, mirin, and sake, another pantry condiment that is widely used in Japanese cuisine is mayonnaise. Yes, Japanese people love mayonnaise and we are proud of our own version of Japanese mayonnaise. We use it in everything from salad dressings to sushi to rice bowls.
What’s Japanese Mayo (Kewpie Mayo)?
I often hear that people refer to Kewpie mayo as Japanese mayo, and it has been claimed by many to be the best mayonnaise. People love its exceptionally rich, creamy texture and complex flavor.
To clarify, there are a few different brands of Japanese mayonnaise out there but Kewpie is definitely the oldest and the most famous brand. The legendary Kewpie brand is created by Toichiro Nakashima in 1924 after his discovery of the condiment during his visit to the US.
Because of its popularity—locally in Japan and in overseas—Kewpie becomes the default term whenever someone talks about Japanese mayo. Here, I’ll be using both Japanese mayo and Kewpie mayo interchangeably.
Kewpie mayo is known for its signature squeeze bottle that comes with a red narrow tip, which makes it easy to spread on anything. There is a recognizable Kewpie doll logo on the plastic cover.
What makes Kewpie mayo so good? Why does it get such rave reviews from the culinary world? Kewpie company contends that its mayonnaise is full of umami, which translates to deliciousness. It’s received such a following that we even have specialty Kewpie mayo cafes in Japan. And of course, there is a mayonnaise museum that dedicates to the condiment, where you can learn all things Kewpie.
How Is Japanese Mayonnaise Different from American or European Mayonnaise?
It all starts with the eggs. Japanese mayonnaise uses only egg yolks instead of whole eggs that are typically used in regular mayonnaise. In Japan, we could get really fresh free-range eggs and they are the core ingredient in making truly superior mayonnaise. The high-quality, full-fat egg yolks yield a rich savory flavor, deep cream color, and smooth creamy texture.
Japanese mayo also uses rice vinegar and/or apple cider vinegar in its recipe, so one can easily discern its more balanced flavor that comes with a hint of fruity sweetness. On the contrary, American mayonnaises utilize distilled vinegar, which creates a more pronounced acidic taste.
On the Kewpie website, the company also highlights its unique emulsification process using specialized proprietary machinery that whips the blend of egg yolks, vinegar, and oil until they reach the best consistency that is thick and ultra-creamy.
All these (subtle) differences are what make Japanese mayo so good.
Where Can I Buy Japanese Mayo (Kewpie Mayo)
You can easily find Kewpie mayo at any Japanese or Asian grocery store. Or try online shops such as Amazon, Weee!, or the Kewpie website itself. In North America, you can also find Kewpie mayonnaise at mainstream grocery stores such as Costco, Walmart, and select Target stores. Internationally, you can find it available at Daiso if there’s one in your area.
The original Japan-made Kewpie mayo has the addition of monosodium glutamate (MSG) but the American-made version does not contain MSG.
These days, you can even find different flavors of Japanese Kewpie mayo such as spicy mayo, wasabi mayo, and lemonaise.
Substitute for Japanese Mayonnaise Recipe:
You can make Kewpie mayo with regular mayo in a pinch by adding sugar and rice vinegar. It will not be exactly the same as it lacks the rich egg yolk flavors, but this is the closest substitution that you could work with.
For 1 cup of American mayonnaise (I use Best Foods/Hellmann’s Mayonnaise), add 2 Tbsp rice vinegar and 1 Tbsp sugar. And whisk until sugar dissolves.
For 1 Tbsp of American mayonnaise, add 1/2 tsp rice vinegar and 1/8 tsp sugar. And whisk until sugar dissolves.
Homemade Japanese Mayonnaise Recipe:
Wish to make your own Japanese mayonnaise? Check out my homemade Japanese mayonnaise recipe.
FAQs
Q: Is Kewpie mayo gluten-free?
A: Yes, Kewpie Japanese mayonnaise is gluten-free.
Q: Is Japanese mayo vegan?
A: No, Japanese mayo contains egg yolk.
Q: Does Kewpie mayo have to be refrigerated?
What is Japanese Mayo Used For?
For burgers, sandwiches, or potato salads, you can use Japanese mayo on just about anything. It’s fantastic on fried food, refreshing salads, or even on pizza! It is also amazing as a base for creamy dressing.
Beyond the usual suspects, Japanese mayo is also widely enjoyed in many unique Japanese dishes. Some of the delicious recipes include:
- Spicy Tuna Roll
- Dragon Roll
- Okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancakes)
- Takoyaki (octopus balls)
- Kani Salad
- Avocado Toast
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