5 Kewpie Mayo Substitutes & Homemade Recipe & Product Reviews

Whether you’re a hardcore foodie or spend your free time scrolling through TikTok, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Kewpie Mayo.

Kewpie mayo is a Japanese condiment that is popular across Asia. Thanks to social media, it recently experienced a boom in popularity in countries like the United States and Europe.

Due to the sudden demand for it, Kewpie mayonnaise has become increasingly difficult to find in stores. Instead of stressing yourself out, why not try a Kewpie mayo substitute?

What Is Kewpie Mayo

Kewpie is the brand name of a type of Japanese mayo.

This mayonnaise is known for its umami taste. It has a rich, tangy flavor that differentiates it from its American counterpart and makes it an excellent addition to any food.

The secret behind Kewpie is that they use egg yolks (as opposed to the whole egg). They use four whole egg yolks per 500g, and the amino acids from the egg yolk protein contribute to Kewpie’s unique flavor.

Another thing that makes this brand of mayo stand out is that it contains no preservatives. Instead, they preserve it naturally using salt and vinegar.

Finally, Kewpie took the time to design a special bottle for their product. The bottle keeps oxygen out and exchanges it with nitrogen. By using this method, they keep the flavor preserved and fresh up until the last squeeze.

What Can You Substitute for Kewpie Mayo

Due to the heavy demand for Kewpie mayonnaise, it may not be easy to find in stores. You could also experience a slight wait time for online orders.

To avoid delays in receiving your mayo, you may want to try one of these five Kewpie mayo substitutes.

1. Ajinomoto Pure Select Mayonnaise

Ajinomoto is a famous brand known globally. No matter where you are, odds are that you can find at least one Ajinomoto brand product in your local supermarket. This Japanese mayonnaise is safe for vegetarians to eat.

Pure Select Mayonnaise is named after the “pure select” eggs chosen for use in the product. Ajinomoto uses only the highest-quality domestic eggs. Including the eggs, they also use oil and vinegar in the condiment.

Pure Select has a mellow but full-bodied flavor in terms of taste. Its texture is similar to that of Kewpie.

2. Sokensha Fertilized Egg Mayonnaise

Sokensha uses vibrant fertilized chicken eggs from free-range chickens. The chickens are from Kujukogen, Oita Prefecture in Kyushu. They don’t treat their chickens with antibiotics [1] or any chemicals.

Only the yolks get used for making the mayonnaise. Aside from the eggs, other ingredients in this mayonnaise include rapeseed oil, safflower oil, salt, and sugar. Sokensha does not use artificial ingredients.

The texture of the mayonnaise is thick and dense, so it can be overwhelming to people who are used to thinner or creamier textures. Sokensha’s Fertilized Egg Mayonnaise has a rich umami flavor and a robust phosphorous egg taste.

If you’re an adventurous eater, you won’t want to miss out on trying this condiment.

3. Kenko Japanese Mayonnaise

Kenko Mayonnaise is similar to Kewpie. However, it’s a bit thinner in consistency. Produced by one of Japan’s leading manufacturers and recommended by professional chefs, you can feel good about trying it.

Made in Japan, it comes in an easy squeeze bottle with a rich taste and a mild creamy flavor. Its primary ingredient is vegetable oil. However, it also contains eggs and soybeans.

The eggs have a more pungent taste than what comes across in American mayonnaises. It’s excellent in all sorts of dishes, from egg salad sandwiches to yakisoba.

4. Wafu Mayonaizu Spicy Japanese Style Mayonnaise

Japanese Canadian chef Mari Toyoda founded Wafu. Born and bred in Japan, Mari immigrated to Montréal, Canada, and opened her Japanese restaurant.

Unfortunately, the mayonnaise she could find in stores didn’t have the same umami flair she grew up with, so she made her own!

Their Spicy Mayonaizu uses togarashi (red chili peppers). It has a light, spicy flavor that is the perfect complement to any Japanese dish.

Wafu also makes Wasabi Mayonaizu and Sesame Mayonaizu.

5. PuroRaw Miso Boom Japanese Mayonnaise

PuroRaw’s mayo features a tangy and distinctive flavor.

Consumers typically compare this product’s taste and consistency with a deviled egg. It is made entirely from egg yolks and a blend of vinegar and vegetable oils.

Miso Boom has a rich, creamy texture that is perfect for sandwiches, salads, and even as a dip. It also makes an excellent salad dressing.

Like Kewpie, they have a unique soft squeeze bottle that lets you control precisely how much mayonnaise you use.

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Buying Japanese mayo is, without a doubt, easier than making it. But if, for whatever reason, you prefer to make it at home, follow these simple steps:

3 Best Kewpie Mayo Review

These are our top picks for Kewpie Mayo.

1. Kewpie Mayonnaise Japanese Style

This mayonnaise is made Japanese style. It has the rich eggy flavor fans of Kewpie know and love. Made entirely from egg yolks with a blend of vinegars, it has a perfect umami flavor.

It comes in a soft squeeze bottle with a star-shaped hole for perfect portion size.

This Kewpie is perfect for foodies who want an authentic Japanese mayo experience or for long-time fans of the brand.

Pros: Familiar taste, no preservatives or high fructose corn syrup.

Cons: Expensive for bottle size.

2. Kewpie Mayonnaise (Made for American Market)

Kewpie made for the American market is a reformulation of their Japanese recipe. Rather than using MSG, they opt for yeast extract to maintain the umami flavor.

Due to the differences in ingredients, it developed for a more Americanized market that isn’t familiar with or comfortable eating MSG.

If you’ve always wanted to try Kewpie but feel put off by the ingredients, now is your time to shine.

Pros: No MSG.

Cons: Not authentic Japanese Kewpie.

3. Kewpie Wasabi Mayonnaise

Kewpie Wasabi Mayonnaise is made in the same style as the traditional Japanese version, with the caveat that it includes wasabi.

It emphasizes the distinct aroma and taste of wasabi and is excellent for use with sushi.

Pros: Perfect complement to sushi, great for spice lovers.

Cons: Expensive for bottle size, has an added sweetness to it.

FAQs About Kewpie Mayo

Have you ever wondered what makes Kewpie stand out from its competitors? You have questions, we have answers.

What is the difference between Kewpie and regular mayo?

The difference between Kewpie and regular mayo is that Kewpie uses egg yolks rather than whole eggs.

Kewpie is creamier and not as thick as regular mayo. It has a rich, eggy, umami taste, while regular mayo tends to have a stronger vinegar flavor.

Can I use yum yum sauce instead of Kewpie mayo?

Of course. You can use whatever you want. However, Yum Yum Sauce has a different taste than Kewpie because it has tomato sauce, rice vinegar, and milk in it, among other ingredients.

Yum Yum Sauce is sweet and tangy compared to the rich umami taste of Kewpie.

Is Sriracha mayo the same as Kewpie mayo?

No, Sriracha mayo is not the same as Kewpie.

Sriracha mayo uses mayo as a base but includes ingredients like Sriracha sauce and lemon juice. It has a spicier, more acidic flavor than Kewpie.

Does Kewpie mayo taste like regular mayo?

No. Kewpie has an eggier flavor compared to regular mayo. It is also not as thick in consistency.

Summary

Kewpie mayo has a wonderful umami taste that American mayonnaise brands don’t have. It is the perfect condiment for a variety of dishes, from sushi to yakisoba. You can even use it in sandwiches.

However, because it’s difficult to find in stores, you may want to opt for a Kewpie mayo substitute or attempt making it at home. No matter how you try Kewpie mayonnaise, you’re sure to love it.