The Official French Fries Pages:
Condiment Reviews: Kewpie Mayonnaise (Japan)
Ever since listing mayonnaise as a condiment, whether in the International pages or in the Reviews, we get questions about what kinds of Mayonnaise are best or where people can get Fritessaus Mayonnaise or Dutch Mayonnaise or if we sell any European-style Mayonnaise. We don't.
But quite by accident, while at a Japanese supermarket, we came across a cellophane-wrapped soft plastic squeeze-bottle. Our knowledge of Japanese was enough that we were able to read the label well enough to determine that it was, indeed, mayonnaise. The fact that it was next to Ketchup helped. It was only after decoding the katakana that we then we noticed the word "Mayonnaise" in Roman letters under the brand name.
 Front view |
We explained to the people in the store that we wanted to put this mayonnaise through the rigorous testing procedures in the Select Ware Laboratories Culinary and Food Technology Division.
They, in turn, explained to use that they didn't make the stuff themselves and we, like everyone else, would have to stump up about $5 for the bottle. They weren't interested in our experiments even if we plugged the store, no surprise since everyone in NYC who wants Japanese products knows this East Village market. We weren't able to figure out how to get hold of the manufacturer, either. |
 Front view |
With our French Fries Fund another $5 deeper in debt, we took our bottle home and immediately prepared some French Fries (McCain Golden Cut) as per the instructions on the bag.
The first thing we noticed was the colour, which was a bit darker than our "standard" mayonnaises (Hellman's Real Mayonaisse [East Coast version], Hellman's Light Mayonaisse and Kraft Food Service Mayonnaise). It was also a bit thicker than the two consumer versions. We expect that the Food Service Mayonnaise is made thicker for restaurants.
Ingredients:The squeeze bottle meant that we didn't have to clean up a butter knife as well, and the star shaped opening -- very Japanese -- allowed us to squeeze out a very nice-looking portion, visible in the picture to the right. It beats the globs one is normally served.
Vegetable oil, egg yolk, vinegar, salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG), spices.
So it looked good and was easy to use. Big points in both departments. But what about the TASTE?
Nutrition:
Serving Size: 1 tbsp (14g)
Serving per Container: 35Per 14g serving:
Calories 100 Calories From Fat 90 Total Fat 10g Saturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 20g Sodium 100mg Total Carbohydrate 0g Dietary Fiber 0g Sugar 0g Protein 0g
The plate of French Fries above and to the right lasted less than three minutes. We used up all the mayo and actually added a bit more. Kewpie Mayonnaise tastes very similar to European French Fry mayonnaise (but not like German mayonnaise, which tastes more like American Kraft Miracle Whip). While lacking in some of the thickness that defines Belgian Fritessaus, it is nevertheless an excellent substitute.
Another point in Kewpie Mayonnaise's favour is that it is easier to find than Fritessaus -- most Japanese shops we've visited since stock it.
Kewpie gets a a big thumbs up from the OFFP to Kewpie Mayonnaise!
風味絶佳！
Of course, there are people in the world who don't like mayo at all. If you're one of them, head on over to The Worldwide I Hate Mayonnaise Club and take a look. We at the Official French Fries Pages fully supported that site's legal battle. We don't hold any grudges, either, since the people there can always go with mustard. Or ketchup. Formula 9 ketchup, perhaps.
Update (2007): The "nomayo" domain seems to have been lost to a search engine spammer in August, 2004. You can see the site's corpse through the Web Archive. The pages will be missed.
Do you have a favourite sauce or condiment? Are you a manufacturer or restaurant with a condiment which is particularly good on French Fries? Send us some and we'll review it. If you make your own special sauce at home, send us the recipe. Write to us at info@officialfrenchfries.com.
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