Japanese Mayonnaise (Kewpie Mayo)

Learn how to make Japanese style or 'Kewpie' mayonnaise with this fool proof step by step recipe! This vegan kewpie mayo is rich and creamy with the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. The umami flavour is what makes this mayonnaise so delicious and popular! (Egg free & allergy friendly).

It's FINALLY here: Homemade Vegan Japanese Mayonnaise (aka Kewpie Mayo)!

If you've been following along on my mayo-making journey over on instagram, you've probably seen how many times it has failed or not thickened up to my expectations. Growing up, we only ever used Japanese mayonnaise and it was one of my absolute favourite condiments to dip and drizzle on EVERYTHING... so I take my mayo very seriously. After going through almost 1 ½ litres of oil... I finally came up with a recipe I can proudly say has the texture and tastes JUST LIKE store bought Japanese Mayo. It's beautifully thick, rich, creamy and packed with the perfect amount of sweet, tangy and umami flavour. Not to gas myself up or anything... but it's so good that my family stopped buying it and requested I make it for now on 😅.

What is Japanese Mayo?

Japanese Mayo, often referred to as Kewpie Mayo is just a type of mayonnaise seasoned differently. Kewpie mayo is just one brand of Japanese mayo but all mayo in Japan is sold in a clear tube with a finer tip making it easy to drizzle over dishes like okonomiyaki, takoyaki and various rice bowls. Kewpie mayo is defiantly a pantry staple in majority of Japanese households because of its versatility.

What does Japanese Mayo taste like?

Japanese mayo is sweeter, tangier and has umami to it thanks to the added MSG. It also has a slightly more egg-y taste to it because only whole yolks are used instead of a whole egg.

Difference Between Japanese Mayonnaise and Regular Mayonnaise

Japanese mayo is thicker, creamier and richer... yet has a light mouthfeel so it. It's also slightly more yellow than regular mayo because it uses whole egg yolks only instead of a whole egg. Additionally, Japanese mayo is made with rice vinegar rather than distilled vinegar so the 'tang' is softer but more prominent.

Where to buy Vegan Japanese Mayo

Egg allergies have increased significantly in Japan so the demand for egg-free products have also become more popular. It is relatively easy to come across vegan egg free mayo in Japan but much more difficult here in North America. In fact, I haven't been able to find it anywhere which is what inspired me recreate this vegan, egg free homemade Kewpie mayo.

Ingredients for Vegan Kewpie Mayonnaise

I've tested eggless mayonnaise with both soy milk and aquafaba and (IMO) aquafaba is much better if you want thick and creamy mayo. There are so many soy milk brands with all different percentages of soy that it is not as consistent.

Plus, it's a great way to use up aquafaba which is often tossed anyways so why not use it to make some delicious mayo? 🙂 Another trick I picked up from Serious Eats is to use whole chickpeas which really helps thicken it up for those perfect mayo peaks. So, here's what you'll need:

• Aquafaba: Our egg replacer that helps emulsify the mayo
• Rice Vinegar: for a sweet tang
• Lemon juice: for flavour and tanginess
• Dijon Mustard: for flavour and helps with emulsification because of the lecithin
• Chickpeas: a key ingredient for thickening and emulsifying thanks to the lecithin
• Salt: for flavour
• Neutral Oil: I used canola oil but any neutral oil like safflower or grape seed oil.
• Sugar: for sweetness
• Kombu Dashi Granules: for flavour and umami.
• Adijonomoto: optional, but adds extra umami flavour. You can also substitute with more dashi granules.
• Black Salt: optional, but adds a slightly eggy flavour that Japanese mayonnaise tends to have

How to Make Japanese Kewpie Mayonnaise

The process of making eggless mayonnaise and relatively quick and easy. The 'difficult' part of making mayo is ensuring that the ingredients are emulsifying properly. As long as you follow the steps and tips below, you should achieve a delicious thick and creamy vegan mayo.

1. Reduce aquafaba: This will give it a thicker consistency (like eggs). Add the aquafaba to a pot over medium high heat. Once it begins to bubble, reduce to medium low and simmer until thickened and reduced (about 5 minutes). Cool the aquafaba and then refrigerate. At this time, ensure other ingredients are also chilled (especially the oil).
2. Blend first portion of ingredients: Add the aquafaba, rice vinegar, lemon juice, chickpeas, mustard and salt to a narrow jar. Stick the immersion blender to the bottom and blend until smooth.
3. Add the oil: Once smooth, using the lowest blending speed pour the oil down along the immersion blender at a SLOW and steady speed. It should thicken quite quickly. Once you see it stop blending and the oil begins to build at the top, slowly move the immersion blender up and down to incorporate the remaining oil at the top.
4. Season: Now add the remaining ingredients and blend everything together. Taste and adjust to your liking.

How to Store Homemade Mayonnaise

Transfer the mixture with a sterile spatula into a clean air tight container or squeeze bottle. Homemade mayonnaise will last about two weeks in the fridge.

Do not freeze mayonnaise as it will cause the emulsification to break.

Important Tips for Making Homemade Japanese Mayonnaise

After testing this recipe several times, I've picked up some key points and tips along the way to make perfect thick and creamy eggless mayo (so you don't have to go through a litre of oil 😂😭):

1. Do not scale the recipe: If you scale down, there isn't enough for the blades the catch the ingredients and won't allow for proper emulsification.
2. Reduce aquafaba and cool in the fridge: It should be colder than room temperature because it will warm up with the blending and it's easier to thicken with cold ingredients.
3. Keep ingredients all the same temperature: This could work with room temperature ingredients but I found that using colder ingredients to be easier for the mayonnaise to thicken up.
4. Skin the chickpeas: For smooth mayonnaise.  
5. Use an immersion blender: I've seen some recipes use a blender to make mayonnaise but personally have not been successful (it could be due to the fact the jar is wide and large). I highly recommend using an immersion blender because it's also very hands on so you can control the motion.
6. Use a narrow jar: Using too wide of a jar defeats the purpose of adding the oil slowly because the blades have a harder time catching the oil.
7. Add ingredients in order: Make the 'base' mayonnaise first and then add the flavours at the end. You must blend the initial ingredients first before the oil.
8. Pour oil in slowly so it drips down the actual hand blender into the blade: I found letting the oil run down the immersion blender better for emulsification because it goes directly down into the blades.
9. Once it STOPS swirling, raise the hand blender: Once you can see it's thick and the top is no longer swirling (there may be some oil on top and that's okay) then slowly lift the immersion blender while still blending to incorporate the remaining oil.

Troubleshooting

If your mayonnaise is not emulsifying don't quit! Keep the original mixture and place it into the fridge for 10-15 minutes or until cool again.

To a new narrow jar, add the aquafaba, rice vinegar, lemon juice, dijon, chickpeas and salt, and then blend it until smooth. Very slowly, pour the original mixture along the immersion blender and continue until it thickens.

Quick & Easy Kewpie Mayo

This 'cheats' or shortcut version of Kewpie Mayo using store bought regular mayo is what I've been using before coming up with this recipe. I definitely prefer the homemade version but this quick version is great in a pinch! All you need is:

• 1 cup vegan mayonnaise
• ¼ teaspoon kombu dashi granules OR ⅛ teaspoon ajinomoto
• 1 ½ tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoon sugar

Mix it all up, taste and adjust to your liking. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes and then serve!

What to Use & Serve Japanese Mayonnaise

Kewpie mayo is so versatile and can really be used for anything and everything! If something calls calls for mayo, swap it with this vegan kewpie mayo and you'll know what I mean by it's a flavour bomb. You can also mix it with other condiments like soy sauce, miso paste, sesame oil, sriacha and more for various dips and dressings. Here are some of my favourite dishes to use it in:

• Corn Mayo Udon
• Spicy Tomato Tuna
• Teriyaki Tofu Donburi
• Cheesy Kimchi Udon Noodles
• Vegan Japanese Fried Oysters
• Vegan Mentaiko Cream Udon

SAVE IT FOR LATER! ↓

If you recreate this Vegan Japanese Mayonnaise recipe let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and rating below or by tagging me on Instagram @Okonomikitchen, I love seeing all of your tasty recreations!
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