Updated on April 9th, 2023
Kewpie is a famous dipping sauce, condiment, and topping in Japanese cuisine. Along with soy sauce, dashi, mirin, and sake, it’s one of their favorite condiments and a must-have in any Japanese kitchen.
Thankfully, you don’t have to travel to Japan to enjoy Kewpie’s brilliance. This mayo can be found in the Asian aisle of most supermarkets these days, in its trademark squeeze bottle with a red flip top.
It’s popular for a reason- it’s delicious and addictive – you’d love to keep a bottle in the fridge at all times. I promise that it will be that main element in your delectable recipes when utilized well.
In this piece, you can learn everything there is to know about Kewpie mayo, its origin, recipes you can employ it in. In addition, I had to enlist some fine substitutes for your benefit – you don’t want to be stuck on days your recipes call for kewpie mayo, but you don’t have any on hand.
What is Kewpie Mayo
Kewpie mayo possesses a fruity and sweet taste, with a dash of umami and a solid eggy flavor. And it has a bright yellow tint and a thicker texture than regular mayo.
Kewpie Mayo is well renowned as Japan’s preferred mayonnaise and salad dressing brand used in most of their recipes. The Kewpie mayo was invented in 1924, and since then, it has been efficiently utilized in almost every Japanese household.
In Japan, Kewpie mayonnaise is so popular that there are specialty Kewpie mayo cafes dedicated to all things Kewpie.
The mayo itself is a little more golden than regular mayo, and it’s also a lot creamier and richer. For example, kewpie mayo is made with only egg yolks (as opposed to whole eggs in traditional mayo) with a bit of sweetness from rice or apple cider vinegar.
Kewpie Mayo Uses in Recipes
Kewpie mayo can be used as a sandwich spread, a dipping sauce for vegetables, salad dressing, French fries, and other fried foods. I trust that anything you pair this condiment with, the flavors and textures will complement each other perfectly.
See some excellent cuisine recipes you can enjoy some Kewpie mayo in:
- Mayonnaise Biscuits
- Fish Fillets with Kewpie Mayo
- Roasted Haddock Medallions with Kewpie Mayo
- Spicy Pork Tenderloin with Kewpie Mayo
- Crispy Duck Flautas
- Mayonnaise Muffins
- Grilled Pork Burgers
- Japanese Scotch Egg
- Fries with Spicy Kewpie Mayonnaise
- Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake
- Chicken Bacon Burgers with Kewpie Mayo
- Japanese Deviled Eggs
- Japanese Sesame Dressing
- Japanese Coleslaw
- Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich
- Japanese Steakhouse with Yum Yum Sauce
Kewpie Mayo Substitutes
Of course, there are several types of mayonnaise, such as the popular Japanese version – Kewpie mayo.
Notably, the richer, creamier, and slightly sweeter flavor that Kewpie mayo exhibits are popular.
Regardless, You might need a substitute for Japanese mayonnaise now and then. So let’s take a look at some fine alternatives there are:
Regular Mayo
Regular mayo can be substituted with Kewpie mayo in a pinch; it just needs to be upgraded slightly.
Regular mayonnaise is an oil, egg, and acid combination. Notably, whole eggs and white vinegar are used in traditional mayonnaise. On the other hand, Kewpie mayo is made entirely of egg yolks with rice or apple cider vinegar.
Regular mayo possesses a vibrant and thick texture with a hint of sweetness and tang.
So for regular mayonnaise to step up and save your recipe, some spicy ingredients will need some help to deliver the expected result the recipe calls for.
If you use Kewpie mayo because you don’t fancy regular mayonnaise, spice things up, and you are good.
Make Your Own Japanese Mayo ASAP
If you particularly enjoy the flavor of Japanese mayonnaise but can’t get it, your best chance is to make your right at home quickly.
The benefit of doing it this way is that you’ll get Japanese mayonnaise, but you will also be shocked at how easily the ingredients for making Japanese mayonnaise are to come by.
You will need an egg yolk, dijon mustard, vegetable oil, sea salt, dashi powder, rice vinegar, and lemon juice, among other things. If you want the finest outcomes, there are some key things to keep in mind concerning the ingredients you utilize. So get that in tune too.
It’s recommended to keep the mayo refrigerated, just like regular mayonnaise. Just remember to use it within four days of making it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the difference between regular mayo and Kewpie mayo?
Kewpie mayo differs from regular American mayo. It is created with only egg yolks rather than whole eggs, alongside other ingredients such as apple vinegar and no added salt or sugar. It is packaged in a small red-and-clear bottle with an iconic baby as the logo.
Is Sriracha mayo the same as kewpie mayo?
Sriracha mayo contains 25% Sriracha chili sauce, and it may be used on sushi, sandwiches, and salads, among other things. The distinguishing factor is that kewpie mayo – unlike other mayonnaises – is made entirely of egg yolks rather than the whole egg, making it richer and creamier than its western equivalent.
Is Kewpie mayo similar to Miracle Whip in terms of taste?
It isn’t easy to give you a solid answer because the taste of Kewpie mayo is such a subjective thing. However, the result of a kewpie mayo recipe is a mouthfeel and taste that is richer, creamier, and tangier than most mayo. However, it tastes nothing like Miracle Whip, and moreover, Miracle Whip is salad dressing, not mayonnaise.
Conclusion
Kewpie mayo is distinct from other kinds of mayonnaise, being that it is made up of egg yolks instead of whole eggs.
Regardless, it’s not that hard to live up to the expectations of a recipe that calls for Kewpie mayo. Just opt for any of the Kewpie above mayo substitutes, and some great alternatives can get you something similar to the real recipe outcome you desire.
If you’re looking for something quick and easy, try a combination of regular mayonnaise, rice vinegar, and sugar. You’re good to go!