Kewpie Mayo, Japan’s favourite mayonnaise brand, has experienced a boom in popularity. Now a must-have kitchen staple for Asian food connoisseurs across the globe, the iconic sauce is well on its way to becoming one of the biggest trending ingredients of the moment.
However, if you’re not totally on top of every foodie fashion, you might be wondering what exactly Kewpie Mayo is and what makes it so much more exciting than regular mayo. Well, this blog will tell you all you need to know.
What is Kewpie Mayo made of?
Japanese Kewpie Mayo ingredients mainly include egg yolks and rice or apple cider vinegar.
It also contains a little mustard, spices, oil and a dash of MSG (monosodium glutamate), and we’ll explain the importance of this slightly controversial ingredient below.
What is Kewpie Mayo used for?
A hugely versatile condiment that presents a range of thrilling possibilities for amateur and professional chefs, Kewpie Mayo was originally used in sushi rolls, poke bowls, rice dishes, tempura dips and a wide range of different Japanese and Asian dishes.
Today, its use is even more varied.
Since becoming a cult product and finding popularity across the globe, home cooks and esteemed professional chefs have now also started integrating the trendy sauce into a range of different global foods, ranging from sandwiches and wraps, to salads, burgers, potato salad, coleslaw, and grilled meats.
In fact, Prime Gourmet offers a wide range of high-quality beef, chicken and burger products that are ideal for enjoying with Kewpie Mayo.
For instance, you can mix up your next steak night by replacing your usual favourite sauce with a pot of Kewpie Mayo (our premium Australia Black Angus, ultra-tender Australian Wagyu Beef and melt-in-the-mouth Japanese A5 Wagyu steaks work particularly well for this), or make it the top talking point of your next BBQ by pairing it with our finely sliced Yakiniku Beef (meaning ‘grilled meat’ in Japanese) or our ultra-popular Australian or Japanese beef burger boxes, coming complete with four premium quality burger patties, lighter-than-air soft potato buns, salad, cheese and condiments.
Alternatively, if you’re in the mood for a tasty snack, serve it as a dipping sauce with our succulent Tegel’s Chicken Popcorn or Chicken Nuggets, lather it on our frozen Tegel’s frozen New Zealand Chicken Thighs or Breasts and add to your salad or sandwich, or indulge in a quick dinner of golden and crispy Tegel Chicken Tenders, served with fries and lots of uniquely flavoursome Kewpie Mayo.
What is the difference between Kewpie and regular mayo?
Like Marmite, mayonnaise is one of those polarising condiments that people either love or hate.
However, even if you normally avoid mayonnaise at all costs, you might find that you actually quite like the taste and texture of Kewpie Mayo. This is because Kewpie Mayo and regular mayo have several key differences.
1. Egg content
The most notable difference between Kewpie and regular mayo is that Kewpie uses only egg yolks, while regular mayo is made with whole eggs.
The richness of the pure egg yolks gives Kewpie Mayo a smoother and more velvety texture, and a slightly more intense flavour. Plus, while regular mayo can sometimes go curdled or clumpy, Kewpie Mayo doesn’t, and it is easy to squeeze out neatly and precisely.
2. No additives
Unlike regular mayonnaise, Kewpie Mayo doesn’t contain any sugar, or any additives or preservatives.
The added rice or apple cider vinegar provides a hint of sweetness, while the unique squeezy, air-tight bottle helps naturally extend its shelf life without the use of any artificial ingredients.
3. Extra flavour
While Kewpie Mayo is largely additiv-free and made from simple ingredients, it does actually contain a small amount of MSG.
But, believe us when we say that this isn’t actually a totally bad thing. Although it once had a famously negative reputation, MSG is perfectly safe to eat in modest doses. In the case of Kewpie Mayo, it is also essential to its unique and distinctive umami taste.
Adding an irresistible savoury depth that all other mayonnaise brands lack, the added MSG enhances the flavour of Kewpie Mayo, and makes it the ideal accompaniment to meats, seafood, and a wide range of different specialties.
Why is Kewpie Mayo so special?
Now a cult ingredient famous on TikTok, YouTube and across social media, and used by many esteemed chefs, Kewpie Mayo is like no other mayonnaise on the market.
Not only does it ramp up the flavour of your dishes, but its silky texture is also easy on the palette, and many find it far more pleasant and appetising than the texture of regular mayonnaise.
By adding just a dash of Kewpie Mayo, you can make even the simplest dishes taste that bit more delicious, your next dinner guests will be desperate to know what your secret is!
Spread it on your sandwiches, add some hot sauce to it and serve as a dip for fries, or get really creative and try making your own California rolls or other maki rolls at home, all finished with an elegant drizzle of Kewpie Mayo.
Experiment and create with Prime Gourmet
At Prime Gourmet, we are proud to stock authentic Japanese Kewpie Mayo sourced straight from Japan.
Part of our popular selection of artisan condiments and grocery products, we also offer a diverse array of gourmet spices, rubs, sauces and other groceries, all expertly crafted by producers from across the globe.
Those who enjoy cooking Asian cuisine will adore our range of authentic Asian sauces, dressings and seasonings, while our truffle sauces, premium pastas, Sicilian olive oil, Italian bread sticks, juicy tomato sauces and sun-dried tomato spreads are ideal for those in the mood for some vibrant Mediterranean fare.
Found alongside all kinds of gourmet vinegars, butters, cured meats, lighter-than-air potato buns and much more, you can view the full collection on the grocery page of the Prime Gourmet website.