These Japanese Dressings Will Easily Upgrade Your Lunch

by Megan Taylor Stephens

Asian Salad Dressing

You haven’t tried salad dressing until you’ve tried Japanese salad dressing. Kewpie Roasted Sesame Dressing is the crème de la crème and an Asian grocery staple. Kewpie is the creator of the iconic Kewpie mayo, which is a one-hundred-year-old Japanese mayonnaise recipe that is not only incredibly smooth, thick, and creamy but also very versatile.

Kewpie Roasted Sesame Dressing

There is something magical in Kewpie Roasted Sesame Dressing, and it must be the flavor combination of roasted sesame oil, vinegar, and soy sauce. It has the perfect ratio of sesame, salt, sweet, cream, and tang. This Asian salad dressing can elevate any green salad or coleslaw with its zesty umami irresistibility.

For a twist on the original Kewpie Roasted Sesame Dressing, you can try Savory Wafu Soy Dressing, which has a signature Asian taste. You can also buy Onion Dressing with Garlic if you want a bolder, punchier flavor. Or perhaps you prefer the citrusy Yuzu & Kosho Pepper Dressing.

Kewpie Japanese Mayonnaise

Easy Healthy Lunch Ideas

What if you’re not a salad fan? No worries. All of these dressings, including Kewpie mayo, can be used on foods far beyond salad. Kewpie condiments can be a key ingredient in many easy, healthy lunch ideas. Here are some different ways to enjoy Japanese dressings and condiments:

With eggs—Use the dressings as a flavorful drizzle on hard boiled eggs. Add the mayo or dressing to the creamy yolk mixture of deviled eggs to take them up a notch.

On noodles—The dressings can be used as a light and tangy cream sauce for cold zaru soba noodles, yakisoba, spaghetti, or any pasta for that matter.

In marinades for meat—Kewpie dressings go well with chicken, pork chops, pork tenderloin, flank steak, and fish. Basically, they pair well with all protein and lend a light sweet and sour element to the dish.

In sandwich wraps—Japanese dressings give some personality to bland wraps. Just spread a layer of your dressing of choice on a tortilla, then add fillings to your specs and roll up for a quick and healthy lunch.

As a dipping sauce—Dip salad rolls, dumplings, sandwiches, skewers, or almost anything else in a dressing of your choice to take it from good to amazing.

In tuna fishKewpie mayo or any of the dressings mentioned can be added to canned tuna for a truly unforgettable tuna fish sandwich, salad, or wrap.

As a dip for fresh vegetables—Even people who don’t normally love raw vegetables will change their mind when they dip veggies in these dressings. You won’t be able to stop eating tomato slices, bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, and other nama yasai (raw vegetables) when you dip them in these creamy dressings.

Order From Bokksu Market

If you would like to try some of these easy lunch ideas, simply hop onto our Asian grocery store, Bokksu Market, and you can order groceries online that are mentioned here. In addition to Kewpie dressings and Kewpie mayo, there are many other Japanese grocery items to choose from. For example, these unique and gourmet toppings can be used on rice or noodles as well like Yuzu Miso Premium Sauce, Enoki Mushrooms in Savory Umami Sauce, and Nori Seaweed Spread.

By Megan Taylor Stephens


Author Bio

Megan Taylor Stephens interest in the Japanese language, culture, and food goes way back. She was a Japanese exchange student in high school. Then she studied Japanese and linguistics in college, returned to Japan to work through the JET program (Coordinator of International Relations), and was an interpreter and translator for a while. Megan taught English as a Foreign Language in Japan and other countries before getting a Master's degree in ESL and becoming an ESL teacher. She then pivoted to becoming a school-based speech-language pathologist, so still gets to be immersed in the field of applied linguistics and loves working with bilingual students. Megan enjoys writing on the side for companies like Bokksu. A love of language, culture, travel, food, and learning never dies, it only gets more intense--just like cravings for ramen and Pocky!