Miso Mayo Dipping Sauce

Miso Mayo Dipping Sauce combines umami-rich miso with creamy Japanese mayonnaise. It is easy to make and versatile, making it a perfect accompaniment to vegetable sticks, meats, fish, French fries, and more.

Miso Mayo Dipping Sauce is a popular Japanese sauce made with miso and Japanese mayonnaise as its base. Unlike most dressings, it doesn’t require the addition of vinegar or oil separately, which gives it a richer flavor and thicker consistency. The Japanese mayonnaise gently envelops the miso, adding depth while softening its saltiness, allowing you to fully appreciate the umami-forward flavor of the miso.

Some people might find the combination of miso and mayonnaise surprising, but in Japan, it is considered a pairing that enhances both flavors. It is most commonly served with vegetable sticks, but it also pairs beautifully with meats, fish, boiled vegetables, and fried foods. This unique sauce is made simply by mixing the ingredients together, so feel free to enjoy its creamy, umami-rich flavor!

The ingredients for making miso mayo dipping sauce are incredibly simple:

• Miso
• Japanese mayonnaise
• Sugar

Just mix everything together until the miso is evenly blended, and you are done.

As for the miso, any type can be used, but richer varieties, such as rice miso or red miso, are especially recommended. If you use white miso, the sauce tends to be slightly sweeter, so you might want to reduce the amount of sugar or omit it altogether.

This recipe uses a 2:1 ratio of miso to Japanese mayonnaise. Adding more mayonnaise will give the sauce a milder, creamier flavor, while using less will let the saltiness of the miso come through more.

If you’d like to add extra depth, you can include small amounts of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, or chili peppers for a delicious variation. In my recipe, I add a dash of soy sauce as a secret ingredient.

Let's take a closer look at the nutritional value and health benefits of miso.

Miso, the key ingredient in this dipping sauce, is made by fermenting soybeans and is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. In particular, the beneficial bacteria produced during fermentation are believed to improve gut health, and since a large part of the human immune system is located in the gut, miso is thought to contribute to overall health. In Japan, there is even a saying that goes, 'Miso keeps the doctor away' (meaning that miso is so healthy it could put doctors out of business).

It has long been a staple of Japanese cuisine and is considered one of the factors behind Japan’s long and healthy life expectancy. So, it is well worth incorporating into your daily meals. In this miso mayo dipping sauce, miso is used without heating, allowing you to enjoy its natural nutrients largely intact. Enjoy the delicious flavor while fully reaping the health benefits of miso.

Let’s touch on Japanese mayonnaise as well.

Japanese mayonnaise is typically made with egg yolks instead of whole eggs and contains a mild vinegar, such as rice vinegar, which gives it a less acidic, creamier texture and a milder flavor. When used as an ingredient in miso mayo dipping sauce, it helps round out the saltiness of the miso while enhancing the umami without getting in the way of the lingering finish.

You can use regular mayonnaise instead, but note that its sharper acidity will stand out, resulting in a different flavor profile from what I intended. For this reason, I highly recommend looking for Japanese mayonnaise products like Kewpie Mayo at your local grocery store. Alternatively, you can easily make your own Japanese mayonnaise at home by following the recipe on the linked page.

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 1
Combine all the ingredients (miso, Japanese mayonnaise, sugar, and soy sauce) in a bowl and mix well until the miso is evenly blended.

To store

You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.