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Have you ever had a late-night craving for KFC and regret not driving through when you had the chance? Have you ever wondered if that spicy mayo they put on their chicken is the same as Yum Yum sauce? Is that sauce used on anything else at KFC?
Is spicy mayo the same as yum yum sauce? What is the difference between yum yum sauce vs spicy mayo? Well, I did some digging, and here is what I found:
Spicy mayo is a spicy version of the mayo that we all love. It’s creamy, tangy, and has a kick of spice to it. On the other hand, yum yum sauce is more like a tartar sauce than a spicy mayo. It’s thick with a strong flavor of tartar sauce that can be described as sweet, tangy, and savory all at the same time.
The ingredients are very different; spicy mayo is usually made from mayonnaise and hot sauce, whereas yum yum sauce is made from tartar sauce and pickle juice.
What is Spicy Mayo?
The combination of mayonnaise and hot sauce, more commonly known as spicy mayo, is one of the most popular condiments in the world.
Spicy mayo is a staple in Japanese cuisine, but it’s also used frequently in Latin American cooking and has started to make its way into the hearts of American foodies.
Depending on how much hot sauce you use, spicy mayo can range from a delicate kiss of heat to a fiery flavor explosion.
The key to making an unforgettable spicy mayonnaise is to choose a high-quality mayonnaise base — like Heinz Real Mayonnaise — and add just enough hot sauce to kick it without overpowering it.
Spicy mayo is the perfect complement for dishes, from chicken sandwiches to french fries. You can also use it as a dipping sauce or drizzle it over a salad for an unexpected kick!
Read Also: Is Kewpie Mayo The Same As Yum Yum Sauce?
What is Yum Yum Sauce?
Yum Yum Sauce is a delicious, light dipping sauce originated in Japan. Its essential ingredients include mayonnaise, ketchup, garlic, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper.
These ingredients are known to have health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol levels in your body and decreasing inflammation caused by arthritis or other ailments you might be suffering from.
But don’t let this simple ingredient list fool you — the first time you try it, you’ll be hooked.
It’s got a perfect balance of sweetness and savoriness, making it the perfect accompaniment to chicken and shrimp dishes.
It’s a creamy white sauce with a slightly sweet and tangy flavor. It is often used on salads, seafood, chicken, and shrimp dipping sauce.
It’s also great as a dipping sauce for French fries — it’s like Thousand Island dressing meets marinara sauce. Of course, you could always eat it by itself — we won’t judge!
Is Spicy Mayo The Same As Yum Yum Sauce?
No, spicy mayo is not the same as yum yum sauce! Yum yum sauce is typically made with mayonnaise, but it also has several other ingredients, including tomato paste, garlic powder, paprika, sugar, and water.
Spicy mayo is typically just mayonnaise with hot sauce. But here’s the thing: Spicy mayo is pretty close to authentic Japanese yum yum sauce. This makes sense because both sauces are a combination of mayonnaise and spices.
However, spicy mayo is usually made with Sriracha, whereas yum yum sauce is spiced with paprika. Because of this difference, yum yum sauce has a deeper flavor and red color than spicy mayo.
You could use spicy mayo as a substitute for yum yum sauce if you needed to in a pinch. However, it won’t taste quite right.
For example, if you were making some hibachi shrimp, you could use spicy mayo to substitute the authentic yum yum sauce in the recipe, but you’d likely be disappointed with the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Use Yum Yum Sauce?
You can spread Yum Yum Sauce on just about anything: fries, burgers, fish fillets, and chicken tenders. You can smother it in this delicious sauce if you can eat it! It also makes an excellent dip for veggies.
How Long Does Yum Yum Sauce Last?
Yum Yum Sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks—but we doubt it will last that long once you taste how delicious it is!
Is Spicy Mayo Good For You?
Spicy mayo is not necessarily good for you, but it does have some health benefits, such as:
- Spicy Mayo helps with digestion by increasing blood flow and stimulating bile production in the stomach, which aids in breaking down food particles more efficiently when eaten regularly over time (long term).
- Spicy Mayo lowers cholesterol levels due to its high fiber content which reduces the absorption of bad fats from other sources like meat products like bacon or hamburgers (short term).
- Spicy Mayo contains antioxidants that protect against free radicals, which cause aging skin problems like wrinkles.
How Is Kewpie Mayo Different?
Kewpie mayo is different than other mayos in a few ways. First, it’s made with rice vinegar. Kewpie is known for its sweet taste, so this is an important distinction.
Second, it’s much thicker than regular mayonnaise. Other brands are known for their thinner consistency, but Kewpie stands out for its thick, creamy texture.
Finally, Kewpie mayonnaise uses only egg yolks and not whole eggs. This makes the mayonnaise’s flavor and color stand out compared to other brands.
Conclusion: Yum Yum Sauce Vs Spicy Mayo
Once again, spicy mayo and yum yum sauce are not the same thing! Consumers use each term to refer to slightly different products.
For example, some people might use “spicy mayo” as a blanket term for all varieties of spicy mayonnaise. In contrast, others will limit themselves to specific brands when referring to this product.
Conversely, some people will use “yum yum sauce” to refer to the flavorful dipping sauce. While others will ignore dictionary definitions and ask for the “yummy sauce.” So yes, they are essentially the same thing. But in practice? Well, their differences matter.
