These classic Asian based sauces used in Japanese cuisine, kewpie mayo and yum yum sauce, are as delicious as they are versatile. They’re practically the same at first glance, but what details separate one from the other, and which should you use for the best taste?
We’ll dive deeper into this and more with a head-to-head comparison. Kewpie mayo vs yum yum sauce. Which is better for you? Find out here!
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Is Yum Yum Sauce the Same as Kewpie Mayo?
Let’s start off by saying no, yum yum sauce and kewpie mayo are not the same thing. Yum yum sauce has a more demanding ingredient list and flavor, something quite different from kewpie mayo.
The sauce is slightly more spicy than kewpie mayo because of the addition of spices like paprika, onion powder, and more. This is far from kewpie sauce flavoring and ingredients, as it only needs 3 base ingredients (oil, egg, and vinegar) to be made.
What Is Kewpie Mayo?
First introduced in Japan in 1925, kewpie mayo has long been a staple bottled delight in Japanese cooking made from egg yolks, vinegar, oil, and a few other ingredients. It packs a rich, creamy texture with a delicious umami flavor that’s perfect for dipping, spreading, or topping your favorite foods.
Kewpie mayo is also known for its distinctive packaging featuring a soft, squeezable plastic bottle with a cute Kewpie doll logo on the front and a red cap, adding to the mayo’s overall charm and easy dispense.
How to Make Regular Mayo Into Kewpie Mayo?
If you’re looking to make Kewpie mayo from regular mayo, you’ll only need a few additional ingredients. To start off, you need regular mayo, egg yolk, rice vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard powder, and umami seasoning (optional).
By combining these ingredients and whisking them together, you’ll be able to create a delicious and authentic-tasting Kewpie mayo. If you’re interested in the full recipe and step-by-step instructions, here’s a recipe you can check.
What is Yum Yum Sauce?
This sauce is a creamy, tangy delight often served in Japanese-American restaurants with dishes like sushi rolls, fried rice, and hibachi-style grilled meats. If you’ve ever been to a Japanese steakhouse or sushi restaurant, chances are you’ve probably encountered it.
It has a slightly sweet, spicy, and tangy flavor that’s hard to resist and is typically made from a blend of mayonnaise, tomato paste, sugar, vinegar, and spices, although the recipe may differ between restaurants. The result is a smooth, pinkish sauce that some compare to spicy mayo or Thousand Island dressing.
How to Make Yum Yum Sauce?
Want to make your own yum yum sauce at home? Simply mix together mayonnaise, tomato paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving with your favorite dishes. For a more detailed recipe guide, you can check out the full recipe.
Kewpie Mayo vs. Yum Yum Sauce: Which is Better?
Kewpie mayo vs yum yum sauce. Both offer unique flavors, tastes, textures, and nutrition, but which can you call better? Well, they’re separated by some key features, which you’ll soon find out:
Flavor
Kewpie mayo has a rich and creamy flavor with a distinct umami taste, while yum yum sauce has a tangy and slightly sweet flavor similar to a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise. This means yum yum sauce has a more complex flavor profile due to the combination of its ingredients.
Texture
Kewpie mayo has a smooth and creamy texture that’s slightly thicker than traditional mayonnaise, giving it a more velvety texture. On the other hand, yum yum sauce has a smooth and creamy texture that’s thinner than kewpie mayo, making it more liquid in texture.
Nutrition
Regarding nutrition, both kewpie mayo and yum yum sauce are high in calories and fat. Kewpie mayo contains 110 calories and 12 grams of fat per tablespoon, while yum yum sauce contains 70 calories and 7 grams of fat per tablespoon. However, kewpie mayo also contains MSG, which may not be suitable for people with certain health conditions.
Yum yum sauce, though, is made with tomato paste, rice vinegar, sugar, and garlic powder, which may offer some health benefits such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
In purely nutritional terms, yum yum sauce may be a slightly better option than kewpie mayo due to its lower calorie and fat content, as well as the potential health benefits from its ingredients. However, both should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.