Is Japanese Mayonnaise going to disappear from Australia??
Posted July 25th, 2009 in Food, Perth WA, Ume's Interests 15 Comments »
As you can tell, Western style mayonnaise and Japanese mayonnaise taste pretty different.
Japanese mayonnaise contains more eggs comparing to Western ones, and it’s thicker in texture and richer in taste. I had a difficulty eating Western style mayonnaise when I just came to Perth because it tasted totally
different from what I knew as mayonnaise and didn’t like it at all. :p
Now I’m used to the taste of Western style mayo, but I keep Japanese mayo in my fridge too just to eat with some Japanese food such as Okonomi-yaki, sushi rolls and kara-age. I can eat Western style mayo in sandwiches and salad, but it’s definitely not for Japanese food.
Western style mayonnaise, (well it’s the standard mayonnaise in the world but I call it Western style) is made with egg yolk, oil, vinegar (or some acid such as lemon juice) and mustard.
According to the package of typical Japanese mayonnaise it contains apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar) and a small amount of MSG…. doesn’t sound good, but I guess that’s the reason why Japanese mayo is so tasty…
Because of the high ratio of eggs contained in Japanese mayonnaise, Australian government prohibits travelers bringing them into Australia. You can find Japanese mayonnaise in Asian grocery shops but they are very expensive. The most popular Japanese mayonnaise brand is QP (kewpie) and it’s the biggest mayonnaise company in Japan. There are few other brands but usually QP is the most expensive one.
Now, Australian government is getting more strict on this product and they don’t even allow some importers to release those Japanese mayo into Australia. Which means, you can’t even buy it from grocery stores. The people who will be in trouble are Japanese restaurant owners. Japanese restaurants need Japanese mayonnaise otherwise some dishes don’t taste like how they supposed to do.
Fortunately some of QP mayonnaise and other brands’ are permitted at this point. Those permitted mayonnaise contains less egg % .
In case all the Japanese mayonnaise get prohibited, Japanese restaurants’ chefs should learn how to make Japanese style mayonnaise?
Email: 
Ume, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the Japanese mayonaise is already being produced in Australia.
My step-sister’s friend’s mother is a producer of food products (eg gyoza) which are being picked up for export into the Japanese market… despite the fact that she’s actually Chinese and her base/factory is in like Vic Park or something. Apparently the orders for her gyoza are so high that she has to work weekends to fill the demand.
So as a result, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone in Australia decided to manufacture Japanese mayo. 🙂
Hi Angie
Actually I heard that there is a factory in Australia that produces Japanese mayonnaise. Of course, it would be much easier for Japanese market if they can get Japanese mayo here than importing them from another country.
But, as far as I know, some Japanese restaurants owner in Perth still demand on imported Japanese mayonnaise…
Well, if chef can make something similar to Japanese mayonnaise, it’s the best isn’t it? Cheaper and less hassle.
:p
is there anybody who could tell me the names of the big mayonnaise producers in australia? Brand names would do too.
Thx
Guus Jacobs
QP mayonnaise is produced in Australia, I think 🙂
Hi,
QP was banned from being allowed in Australia as of last year. Now they can only import QP from Thailand. I’ve called and emailed immigration numerous times as to why that is but they are always very vague and can give me no definitive answer as to why Japan-made QP is not allowed but Thai made is.
It’s a real bummer as the Thai one does not taste the same as the Japan made one, much lower quality and the taste is too tangy.
Do you know of where in Australia they make the Japanese mayo? I would love to know.
Tasty Japan,
Hi, sorry it was my mistake!
QP is not made in Australia. I don’t know why I thought it’s made here…
In Australia, I guess the big mayo brand is “Kraft”.
Australia sure is very strict against those things…
Do you know any other japanese brand mayo that you can also recommend besides kewpie that actually taste as nice as kewpie?! Haha.
I am a big big big fan of kewpie, but the kewpie found here is made in thailand and i can’t find the one that is made in japan anymore. 🙁 It actually taste different even though its the same brand!!! I believe they have lessen the quantity of eggs in the mayo comparing to the orginal one..:(((((
Hi YL,
Kewpie mayo made in Japan is banned here, so you won’t be able to find it… unless the egg % is below whatever Aus government permits. :p
Japanese mayo brand other than Kewpie… I only know “Kenko Mayonnaise” and “Hotel Mayonnaise”.
I guess you can get more variety there in Sydney 🙂
I saw the kenko & hotel brand mayonnaise in the shops here. Maybe i will try the kenko brand next time. 🙂
I’m so sad that the government has banned the japanese kewpie..:(
YL,
Me too! QP is the biggest brand in Japan, and the character “QP-chan” is still popular among people of any age.
Just bought the kenko brand to try. It actually taste quite similar to the old kewpie..:D Very nice! Much better then the thailand manufactured kewpie! I actually compared the colour difference between both mayo brands and i noticed the thai kewpie is slightly whiter then kenko..i guess its the amount of eggyolk contain within the mixture.
YL,
I’m glad that you liked it 😀 ////
Kewpie Mayo is available in local supermarkets i brought mine from Coles 😀 taste good lol but don’t know if it was Thai made or Japan made since didn’t really take any notice. :L
Hi Vic,
QP mayo sold in Perth is now made in Japan, actually 🙂 (I’m not sure if all of them are)
Hi!
Would you know where i can find Hotel Silver mayonaise? I’ve heard it’s the best.
Thanks