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    Home » Recipes » Condiments

    Last updated: Mar 18, 2026 by Aaron Fukuyama · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Tonkatsu Mayo

    Jump to Recipe

    Tonkatsu mayo is a simple and classic dipping sauce for korokke, spring rolls, and sushi. Usually just a mixture of Kewpie mayo and tonkatsu sauce, it also works well as a dressing for Japanese fusion salads and pairs surprisingly well with many Western dishes.

    A top-down view of a small bowl filled with creamy mayo, as a spoon stirs in ground sesame seeds and rich, brown tonkatsu sauce.

    At a glance

    Recipe Tonkatsu Mayo
    Ready in 10 min
    Serves 6 dollops
    Calories ~33 per serving (est.)
    Key ingredients quantity of homemade vegan kewpie mayo, quantity of homemade Tonkatsu sauce, toasted white sesame seeds
    Course Condiments

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    For example, use it as a burger sauce or a dip for fries. It's a great alternative to ketchup if you're looking to switch things up.

    At its simplest, you can purchase off the shelf Tonkatsu and Kewpie mayo, mix together at a 50/50 ratio and voila, you're done. But if you want a fresher, no-preservative, vegan version that's available 24/7 using local supermarket ingredients, here is the recipe for you.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients

    Serves 6 dollops (65ml)| Prep time 5 minutes | Cooking time 5 minutes

    • vegan kewpie mayo 
    • Tonkatsu sauce 
    • Toasted white sesame seeds, ground

    See recipe card for quantities

    Instructions

    A small frying pan over heat, gently toasting white sesame seeds, with some of them turned golden brown.

    1. Toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan on a high heat until golden.

    A granite mortar containing toasted sesame seeds, mostly crushed to a powdery paste with a few whole seeds still in the centre.

    2. Crush in a pestle and mortar until they're broken down into a dry paste.

    A small bowl of creamy white mayo topped with brown tonkatsu sauce and crushed toasted sesame seeds, with a spoon ready to mix.

    3. Add all the ingredients to a bowl. 

    A small bowl of creamy yellow mayo, tonkatsu sauce, and toasted sesame seeds, freshly mixed with a spoon lifting out some of the mixture.

    4. Mix until fully combined.

    Tonkatsu mayo is perfect with burgers and fries - try it with our togarashi fries and oyster mushroom burger recipe. It also pairs wonderfully with korokke or your favorite sushi.

    Tip: If you're making the mayo and tonkatsu from scratch, I would recommend refrigerating them for a thicker consistency. Either this or mix your sauces together then refrigerate - this will have the same effect.

    You really can't go too far wrong with this sauce and you can always add more or less of either one and adjust for taste. 

    Substitutions

    If you have a sesame allergy, simply omit the sesame seeds and use the sauces. Alternatively, you can substitute with your favorite toasted seeds or roasted nuts, like peanuts, to add depth and flavor to the sauce.

    Storage

    Store your homemade tonkatsu mayo in a sterilized, airtight container in the fridge. Keeps for up to 3 weeks.

    FAQ

    What is tonkatsu sauce made of?

    Tonkatsu sauce is a tangy, sweet blend of tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and spices. It's often served with fried foods like tonkatsu (pork cutlet), but you can also use it with vegan options like tofu or plant-based cutlets.

    What is tonkatsu mayo?

    Tonkatsu mayo is a mix of Japanese mayo (often Kewpie) and tonkatsu sauce. It's creamy, tangy, and perfect for drizzling over sushi or fried foods such as korokke, burgers and fries. You can buy or make a vegan Kewpie mayo to keep the sauce plant-based.

    What is the difference between Japanese mayo and regular mayo?

    Japanese mayo (Kewpie) uses egg yolks and rice vinegar, making it richer and creamier than regular mayo. For a vegan version, you can use plant-based mayo for a similar creamy texture with a mild, umami flavor.

    What is the difference between 'tonkatsu' and 'tonkotsu'?

    Tonkatsu is a breaded and fried pork cutlet, but you can substitute it with tofu or vegan cutlets for a plant-based version. Tonkotsu refers to a rich pork bone broth for ramen. Vegan versions use plant-based broths like miso or this dashi kombu for a similar depth of flavor.

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    📖 Recipe

    A top-down view of a small bowl filled with creamy mayo, as a spoon stirs in ground sesame seeds and rich, brown tonkatsu sauce.

    Tonkatsu Mayo

    Aaron Fukuyama
    Creamy, tangy vegan tonkatsu mayo-ideal for burgers, fries, or Japanese-inspired dishes like sushi and korokke. Quick, easy, and delicious!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    5 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Condiments
    Cuisine Japanese, vegan
    Servings 6 dollops
    Calories 33 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 tablespoon quantity of homemade vegan kewpie mayo see recipe: https://veganjapanese.com/how-to-make-kewpie-mayonnaise/
    • 2 tablespoon quantity of homemade Tonkatsu sauce see recipe: https://veganjapanese.com/tonkatsu-sauce/
    • 1 teaspoon toasted white sesame seeds ground

    Instructions
      cook mode 

    • Toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan on a high heat until golden.
    • Crush in a pestle and mortar until they're broken down into a dry paste.
    • Add all the ingredients to a bowl.
    • Mix until fully combined.

    Notes

    Play with the ratio: Equal parts mayo and tonkatsu sauce is the sweet spot, but make it yours - more mayo for something creamier and milder, more tonkatsu for tang and sweetness.
    Toast those seeds: Don't skip this step. A dry pan on high heat, 1-2 minutes, and the flavour completely transforms. Keep your eyes on them though — they go from golden to burnt in seconds.
    Grind them properly: Crush the seeds into a dry paste rather than leaving them whole — it blends into the sauce beautifully and gets the flavour into every bite.
    Chill before mixing: If you're making the mayo and sauce from scratch, let them cool in the fridge first. You'll get a much thicker, more satisfying result.
    No sesame? Leave them out entirely and the sauce still sings. Ground toasted peanuts or other roasted nuts work brilliantly as a swap.
    Storage: Into a sterilised airtight jar, fridge, up to 3 weeks. Clean spoon every time and give it a stir before serving.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 10mlCalories: 33kcalCarbohydrates: 1gFat: 3.1gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.7gSodium: 95mgPotassium: 16mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 8IUCalcium: 6mg
    Keyword dipping sauce for korokke, japanese burger sauce, ketchup alternative, tonkatsu mayo, vegan tonkatsu mayo
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Tonkatsu Mayo

    Tonkatsu Mayo

    Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp quantity of homemade vegan kewpie mayo (see recipe: https://veganjapanese.com/how-to-make-kewpie-mayonnaise/)
    • 2 tbsp quantity of homemade Tonkatsu sauce (see recipe: https://veganjapanese.com/tonkatsu-sauce/)
    • 1 tsp toasted white sesame seeds (ground)
    1
    Toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan on a high heat until golden.
    2
    Crush in a pestle and mortar until they’re broken down into a dry paste.
    3
    Add all the ingredients to a bowl.
    4
    Mix until fully combined.

    Hope you enjoyed cooking this recipe!

    Please rate this recipe to help others find it.

    step 1 of 4