Yum Yum Sauce and Spicy Mayo are two popular condiments used in many Asian dishes, from sushi rolls to sandwiches; these two condiments always seem to make an appearance.
While both of them may look similar and have the same consistency, there are some notable differences between them that you need to know before you use them in your dishes.
Yum Yum sauce is a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet condiment perfect for seafood and grilled meats, so it is often served in Japanese steakhouses.
On the other hand, Spicy Mayo, as the name suggests, is a spicy version of mayonnaise. It is typically made by adding Sriracha or other hot sauces to classic mayo and used as a dip for sushi rolls, french fries, or sandwiches.
Both of these sauces add a unique flavor to many dishes, making them worth exploring. So if you want to take your culinary repertoire to the next level, it’s time to learn about the main differences between Yum Yum Sauce and Spicy Mayo.
7 Main Differences Between Yum Yum Sauce and Spicy Mayo
If you’re a fan of Asian cuisine, you’ve probably heard of Yum Yum Sauce and Spicy Mayo at some point in your culinary adventures. To help you distinguish between them, here are their seven (7) main differences.
1. Flavor
Yum Yum Sauce is often described as creamy and sweet. If you haven’t tried it before, it tastes like a combination of mayonnaise and ketchup but with a slight tanginess from vinegar or lemon juice.
Its mild flavor complements and balances out the intensity of dishes with strong flavors. As such, it is often paired with spicy and salty dishes like smoked or grilled meats.
In contrast, Spicy Mayo adds an extra layer of complexity to dishes because of its spiciness.
With the right amount of hot sauce or chili peppers, this delicious condiment can elevate the flavor profile of dishes that would otherwise be mild.
2. Ingredients
Yum Yum Sauce is typically made by adding sugar, rice vinegar, butter, paprika, and garlic butter to the mayonnaise base of the sauce.
Mixing everything will take about 5 to 10 minutes, but when done properly, it should result in the classic creamy sauce that is loved by many.
Spicy Mayo is a bit more straightforward with fewer ingredients. The only ingredients you would normally need are mayonnaise and a hot sauce of your choice.
But if you want to enhance its flavor, you can add other spices and herbs, like smoked paprika and garlic powder.
3. Heat Level
Based on their names and ingredients alone, it should be obvious that Spicy Mayo is hotter than Yum Yum Sauce.
The difference in heat level would depend largely on the hot sauce you use to make it at home, but it is generally recommended to use Sriracha if you have it.
With that said, you can still experiment with other hot sauces to find the perfect heat level and flavor profile that will suit your preferences.
4. Color
The color of commercially available Yum Yum Sauce is white or light pink, so the batch you make at home should look the same unless you use additional ingredients and modify the recipe.
On the other hand, the Spicy Mayo available on the market may have different variations of colors, depending on the brand and the level of spiciness.
However, the homemade version should normally be a light orange or pink, which typically results from adding red hot sauce to the mayonnaise base.
5. Texture
One of the most distinctive features of Yum Yum Sauce is its silky, smooth texture that glides effortlessly over food. So if you are trying to make it at home, you can use a blender to achieve its creamy consistency more efficiently.
In comparison, Spicy Mayo has a slightly chunkier texture due to the combination of hot sauce and mayonnaise. Despite that, it still spreads easily over food, but not as much as Yum Yum Sauce.
6. Uses
Yum Yum Sauce is commonly used as a dipping sauce for grilled meat, seafood, and vegetables because of its mild and creamy flavor. Its sweetness can balance out the saltiness of the nori present in sushi rolls as well.
Meanwhile, Spicy Mayo is often used as a dipping sauce for fries and chicken wings. It can also be a condiment for sandwiches, burgers, and virtually any other savory dish that needs an extra kick of heat.
7. Popularity
Yum Yum Sauce is a classic condiment that has been around for decades in Japan. But with the growing popularity of Asian cuisine in the Western world, this delicious condiment has now found its way into many grocery stores in the United States.
In contrast to Yum Yum Sauce, Spicy Mayo is a relatively new addition to the culinary world. However, with the emergence of many fusion restaurants that blend different cuisines and flavors, its popularity has been steadily growing.
Final Thoughts
Yum Yum Sauce and Spicy Mayo are two unique and popular condiments that can add an extra layer of flavor to many dishes. So when it comes to choosing which is better between them, it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Yum-Yum Sauce might be your go-to condiment if you prefer a milder, sweeter, and tangier flavor. But if you enjoy a little bit of heat in your food, then Spicy Mayo might be the better option for you.
