Japanese potato salad is one of my favorite sides. I like to eat it with a piece of meat or a piece of fish. I also like to eat it along with rice (I love my carbs~!). If you haven’t had Japanese style potato salad yet, this is a good one to try, it’ll even go well with your American style meal and especially a BBQ!
This is a sponsored post. Kewpie USA was kind enough to send me a box of mayonnaise and some salad dressings and this was one of the dishes that I’ve prepared with their products. If you haven’t heard of Kewpie before, it’s well known for it’s mayonnaise, which is richer and creamier than it’s American counterparts. They also make great salad dressings, one of my favorites being the sesame one. Give them a try if you want to add some Japanese flavor to your food!
This Japanese style potato salad (ポテトサラダ) is one of my favorite takes on a classic side dish
Do you like potato salad? （ポテトサラダ）I do! 🙂
I especially like to eat it with another starch like rice or even macaroni salad. Plus some sort of meat of course.
In Japan, you may have seen potato salad (ポテトサラダ）as part of a bento box.
It pairs very well with meat, fish, rice and the vegetables that often make up those boxes.
There are many different ways that you can make this salad, but this one is classic.
Kewpie mayonnaise, salt, pepper and onion are the main flavors here.
With carrots and cucumber adding their own natural flavors and textures.
I used Yukon Gold potatoes since I like the color and also their flavor.
All of these ingredients together, work well and complement each other.
The other thing I like about this is that it comes together quicker than you might expect.
The secret?
The Microwave
Do you microwave your vegetables?
A lot of Japanese recipes call for the microwave in their recipes.
I can definitely see the convenience in that and it’s interesting to see the difference in cooking techniques in Japan versus here.
In Japanese, the microwave is called ‘denshi range’ (電子レンジ).
‘Denshi’ means electric and ‘range’ means stove/gas range.
Most American potato salad recipes seem to call for boiling the potatoes in water, which takes time and is more work than just microwaving.
So if you are making this, or any other potato salad, you might want to try the microwave!
No waiting for the water to boil and no dealing with hot water/steam!
It’s the only way I make my potatoes now, unless I’m baking them 🙂
Since summer is almost here, perhaps this potato salad could be a nice pairing for your next barbecue or Japanese themed meal!
What do you think?!
Here’s a live replay where I recreated this potato salad (minus the ham), plus moyashi (bean sprouts) goma-ae and miso marinated chicken!
Japanese Style Potato Salad with Ham
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 people 1x
- Category: side
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
- 5–6 cups yukon gold potatoes (approximate)
- 1/4 cup japanese cucumber (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup red onion (thinly chopped into 1/8″ blocks)
- 1/2 cup carrots (peeled and sliced into half circles)
- 1/4 cup sliced ham (i used smoked, uncured)
- 2/3 cup kewpie mayonnaise (+/- more to taste)
- 1/4 tsp salt (+/- more to taste)
- black and or white pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Rinse and scrub potatoes, then pat dry. Using a microwave-safe bowl or plate, heat in microwave on high for 7-9 minutes until the potatoes are cooked through. Poke with fork or chopstick to test. Remove the bowl and set aside.
- Meanwhile chop and slice carrots, red onion, ham and set aside.
- Using another microwave-safe plate or bowl, microwave onion and carrots for 2 to 3 minutes until carrots are cooked. Remove the plate and set aside. Once cooled, use a paper towel to squeeze excess water from the onion.
- In a large bowl, mix potatoes, carrots, onion, cucumber, ham, and mayonnaise. Use a firm spatula or serving fork to break potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve cool or at room temperature.
Yummy recipe. I will give it try one day 🙂
thank you! let me know how it turns out!!
That’s my hubby’s favorite. I add tuna can, boiled egg and sugar into it. Try it out next time!
Thanks for the note Yumi! Tuna sounds like a good addition, i will!????
I love kewpie! I also use it for potato salad! 😀
thanks for stopping by, it’s definitely one of my favorite mayos! 🙂
Thanks for the idea about microwaving the potatoes for potato salad. I never had thought of that.
absolutely! 🙂
Japanese – with ham? Do they really serve it now in Japan?
yup, it’s used in all kinds of things like sandwiches, pasta, fried rice etc 🙂
I am behind times, it seems. Thank you!
we learn something new everyday! 🙂
True, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn!
Youre welcome!
Looks yummy!
thank you Jen!
Interesting twist on a classic side dish.
Thanks for the post.
thank you Paul!