If you have never shopped at an Asian store or been to an authentic Japanese restaurant, then you may have never come across Kewpie Mayo before. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on one of Japan’s most popular condiments.
In Japan, Kewpie Mayo is much more preferred over regular mayo, pairing better with almost every Japanese recipe. It can be used as a sauce, a spread, or simply to add more moisture to a rice dish. The possibilities are endless!
Kewpie mayo is a specific type of branded mayo manufactured in Japan since 1924. While it has become more popular in other countries, Kewpie mayo can be hard to find and is usually one of the more expensive condiments.
Luckily, there are some affordable, easy-to-find alternatives that you can use instead for that same authentic Japanese taste.
Our 3 Substitutes for Kewpie Mayo
Kewpie Mayo is made using only egg yolks, resulting in a very creamy and slightly sweet mayo. The addition of other ingredients such as rice vinegar, MSG and sea salt gives Kewpie Mayo an umami flavour which can instantly boost any dish’s taste.
The choice to use only egg yolks also affects the mayo’s colour. Instead of being plain white, Kewpie Mayo has a unique golden hue.
Here are our top 3 substitutes for Kewpie Mayo:
1) Regular Mayonnaise
For most people, regular mayonnaise may be the only mayonnaise that they have ever tasted or used in cooking. It is easily accessible with so many different brands available to try, each with their own secret recipes.
Though mayonnaise does include egg yolks, the egg whites give the mayo that pure white shine instead of a golden colour like Kewpie mayo. Most people prefer the colour of Kewpie mayo simply because it makes a dish look more interesting. Still, the white of regular mayo will work just fine.
The main difference between the two mayos is the flavour. This difference in taste is due to the ingredients used and how manufacturers use them.
For instance, regular mayo usually includes plain white vinegar and sugar to provide the usual sweetness of mayo. In Kewpie mayo, this sweet flavour comes from rice vinegar.
Both Kewpie mayo and regular mayo use typically neutral oil in their recipes but use that oil differently to create different textures.
Kewpie mayo is made by mixing egg yolk and oil together, creating a very creamy blend. Regular mayo requires the eggs to be emulsified in the oil before other ingredients are added, which slightly weakens the flavour so that it isn’t overpowering and creates a thicker spread.
How to Make Regular Mayo Taste Like Kewpie
If your dish lacks flavour when substituting Kewpie mayo for regular mayo, grab a little rice vinegar and mix it into your mayo. It will not make it taste exactly like Kewpie mayo, but it will hit more of the flavour notes.
2) Light Mayonnaise
As more people strive to be healthier on a budget, mayonnaise brands have come up with lighter, diet-friendly options to their classic mayonnaise.
Egg yolks store not only all of the egg’s protein but also most of the fat. In mayonnaise that includes fewer calories, more egg whites instead of egg yolks are used. However, less egg is used overall and is mainly replaced with water.
As you would expect, this leads to a much more watered-down egg flavour, which is quite removed from Kewpie mayo. But, if you add some rice vinegar, it will resemble Kewpie mayo without added calories.
Texture-wise, you may need to add some starch to make light mayo as thick as Kewpie mayo. Though it will not be as creamy because of the lack of egg yolk.
Add MSG
Like many diet food alternatives, some people detest the taste of light mayonnaise because of the lack of sweetness. However, if you add some MSG to your light mayo, it will taste infinitely better and be more similar to Kewpie mayo.
3) Homemade Kewpie Mayo
If you are really struggling to find an affordable Kewpie mayo in your local Asian supermarket, Kewpie mayo is actually easier to make at home than regular mayo as you do not need to emulsify your eggs.
The biggest challenge of making your own Kewpie mayo is finding MSG. But since scientists have debunked the dangerous health myths surrounding MSG, it has become much easier to find in your everyday supermarket.
First, mix all the ingredients together except the oil. Then, slowly add in your oil until thick. It really is that simple!
Don’t Waste the Egg Whites
You will have a lot of spare egg whites when you make Kewpie mayo at home, but they don’t have to be wasted! You can try making pancakes, a fluffy omelette, or even meringues.
Other Substitutes for Kewpie Mayo
Some of the above substitutes don’t match the flavour profile of Kewpie mayo, mainly because Kewpie mayo is so unique.
Here are a few more options that may better tantalise your tastebuds if you find the above options a little lacklustre:
- American Kewpie Mayo – While the most authentic Kewpie Mayo is made in Japan, some are made in California to reduce shipping costs. The American kind is yeasty and sweeter but may be easier to find.
- Other Japanese Mayo – Kewpie Mayo is often called Japanese mayo, but it is only one specific brand. Most Japanese mayos (such as Kenko mayo) are made using only egg yolks so they can give a similar texture and flavour.
Summary
Its creamy, umami goodness made exclusively from egg yolks makes Kewpie mayo stand out from other mayonnaise varieties. Typical supermarket mayo can be used instead in most recipes, though it is less flavourful.