Japanese Potato Salad (ポテトサラダ)

Get ready to elevate your potato salad game with this delightful fluffy Japanese potato salad recipe! Perfect for any occasion, this popular comforting side dish pairs beautifully with grilled meats, rice bowls, noodle salads or as part of a vibrant bento box.

Why You’ll Love Japanese Potato Salad

When people say potato salad is comfort food, Japanese potato salad (AKA potesara ポテトサラダ) truly takes it to the next level. 

The fluffy mashed potatoes combined with crunchy vegetables and that rich Kewpie mayonnaise dressing create an irresistible texture and flavour that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

This Japanese-style potato salad is a classic yoshoku dish, popular in bento boxes and izakayas. Perfect for meal prep, I love making it ahead of time for lunches, picnics, and weeknight dinners.

It is an easy Japanese side dish recipe that will please the crowd for sure! 

If you are searching for more amazing potato salads, check out our collection of 40 Best Potato Salads Ever. Never run out of ideas!

Japanese Potato Salad vs Other Potato Salads

This Japanese potato salad recipe shares its creamy dressing with classic potato salads, but it stands out for its unique texture. 

Like Korean potato salad, the potatoes are mashed before combining with other ingredients, creating a fluffy, creamy consistency that’s irresistible. You’ll also find vibrant additions like cucumber, carrots, boiled eggs, and ham, which add sweetness and substance. 

The true star, though, is Kewpie mayonnaise—its rich, savoury, and slightly tangy flavour is distinct from regular mayonnaise thanks to its use of only egg yolks. This difference gives Japanese potato salad a signature flavour that stands out in any meal.

We love incorporating Kewpie into salad dressings, like in our Kani salad and miso mayo dressing.

Ingredients

These are the ingredients you need for Japanese potato salad:

Potatoes: In general, waxy potatoes are more suited for potato salads, but for this recipe, opt for starchy potatoes. Japanese potato salad are more fluffy in texture as we slightly mash the potatoes before adding in other ingredients. The popular types are Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes. 

Carrot: Thinly sliced carrots are a natural sweet and colourful addition to the salad.

Cucumber: Surprisingly, cucumbers in this recipe do not feel soggy as you might expect. The thin slices add a refreshing light crunch to every bite. Be sure to use cucumbers with less seeds to avoid excessive moisture.

Red onion: I love the subtle bite and sharpness that red onions add to the creamy mixture. Helps to balance the richness. 

Ham: Savoury and salty, adding ham creates flavour depth to the salad.

Eggs: The inclusion of hard-boiled eggs introduces another layer of texture and creaminess, enhancing the overall flavour.

Kewpie mayonnaise: Creamy and tangy, with a signature umami flavour unique to Japanese mayo.

Dijon mustard/Rice vinegar: These condiments bring a light, mildly acidic balance to the dressing.

Variations and Substitutions

Cucumbers: While Persian cucumbers are ideal for this recipe due to their thin skin and few seeds, you can substitute with English cucumbers if needed. Just remove any excess seeds to prevent too much water in the salad.

Additional ingredients: Feel free to add or substitute other vegetables, such as sweet corn, peas, scallions, or even finely diced celery, for extra crunch.

Kewpie mayonnaise alternative: While Kewpie mayonnaise is key to the authentic flavour, regular mayonnaise works as well. 

Ham variation: Use bacon bits for a smoky flavour, or omit the ham for a vegetarian option.

Serving variation: Japanese potato salad is a versatile side salad that can be served individually in small bowls, shared with a large crowd or packed in sandwiches for picnics and lunches. 

Instructions

Step by step instructions for how to make Japanese potato salad:

Peel and cube the potatoes. 

Place them in cold water and bring to a boil until tender.

Thinly slice the carrot, adding it to the boiling potatoes for 2 minutes to soften.

Drain and lightly mash the potatoes, leaving some chunks for texture. Season potato with half of the salt.

Slice the cucumbers thinly and finely chop red onion. 

Add both to a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 5 minutes. Squeeze out excess moisture.

Dice ham.

Boil the eggs, peel, and chop them.

How to Make Kewpie Mayonnaise Dressing

Add Kewpie mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and rice vinegar together. 

Mix together until combined. 

Season with salt and pepper as required.

How To Assemble Salad

In a large bowl, add mashed potatoes, cooked carrot, cucumber, ham and red onion together. 

Add dressing to potato salad. 

Mix together until everything is well coated with Kewpie mayonnaise dressing. 

Chill for 10 minutes before serving.

Great Mains for This Salad

What to serve with Japanese potato salad? 

A super popular Japanese side dish, potato salad goes well with so many main dishes such as yaki udon, japanese hamburg steak or katsu curry.

It is also the perfect Japanese bento salad because it does not get soggy and keeps its flavour well. 

Leftovers can be used in sandwiches or alongside Asian-inspired side dishes like sashimi salad and braised sticky sweet lotus roots for a flavourful meal.

Frequently Asked Questions