Japanese Salad Dressing | The Curry Man
Should you’ve ever dined at a Japanese restaurant and questioned what makes their salads so deliciously creamy, nutty, and savoury, chances are high you’ve tasted Japanese sesame dressing, referred to as Goma Dressing. This velvety, umami-packed Japanese salad dressing transforms even the best salad into one thing extraordinary.
It’s a dressing you can find served at virtually each Japanese restaurant and at present I need to present you the way simply you possibly can whip it up at residence.Intro paragraph
What Is Japanese Sesame Salad Dressing?
Japanese sesame dressing, or Goma dressing, is a creamy, nutty, and barely candy dressing made primarily from toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, rice vinegar and sugar.
“Goma” means sesame in Japanese, an ingredient liked and used rather a lot in Japanese delicacies. From goma-ae (greens wearing sesame sauce) to sesame-crusted tuna and sesame dipping sauces, this tiny seed packs a giant punch of flavour and vitamin.
The dressing is wealthy and balanced, nutty from sesame, salty from soy sauce, candy from sugar and/or mirin and tangy from rice vinegar.
It’s most frequently used to decorate crisp salads, chilly noodles, and grilled meats, although it’s versatile sufficient for dipping sauces, marinades and even sandwiches.
A brief historical past of this restaurant fashion Japanese salad dressing
Goma dressing as we all know it, creamy, emulsified and restaurant-style grew to become extensively well-liked in Japan within the Nineteen Seventies and Eighties, alongside the rise of Western-style salads and fusion delicacies.
Bottled sesame dressings from manufacturers like Kewpie (well-known for its mayonnaise) introduced it into each Japanese family and shortly thereafter into eating places around the globe.
In the present day, this hottest of Japanese salad dressing is a world favorite. It is usually served in sushi eating places, fusion cafes and health-conscious kitchens due to its wealthy flavour and flexibility.
Elements
The measurements for the components on this Japanese salad dressing are within the printable recipe card beneath. The important thing to success, nonetheless is to style as you go. Alter the candy, savoury and tart flavours to style.

See recipe card for portions.
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Japanese mayonnaise (akin to Kewpie; common mayo works too)
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Sugar or honey
- Sesame oil
- Mirin (optionally available)
- Water or milk (to skinny as wanted)
- Ginger
- Garlic
- White miso paste
Step-by-step images
Take a look at my step-by-step images to see for your self how straightforward it’s to make this restaurant fashion Japanese salad dressing. The precise ingredient measurements I take advantage of are within the printable recipe card on the backside of this web page.

- Step 1: In a dry frying pan, toast the sesame seeds over a medium warmth till golden and aromatic. This could take about 2 to three minutes. Stir usually to stop burning.

- Step 2: Switch to a plate to chill barely. Use a spice grinder or pestle and mortar to coarsely grind the toasted sesame seeds. We wish among the seeds to be a superb powder whereas different seeds stay coarsely crushed.

- Step 3: In a mixing bowl, mix the bottom sesame seeds, mayonnaise, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar or honey, sesame oil and mirin.

- Step 4: Whisk till the dressing is easy and creamy. Should you really feel it’s too thick, add a drop of water to take advantage of.

- Step 5: Style the dressing and alter the flavours if wanted. Add a bit extra vinegar for tang, soy sauce for salt or sugar for sweetness relying in your desire.

- Step 6: For the perfect flavour, refrigerate the dressing for at the very least half-hour earlier than serving. This enables the sesame aroma to develop fantastically.
Common Variations of Sesame Dressing
When you’ve mastered the bottom recipe, you possibly can tweak it to go well with any salad or dish.
1. Spicy Sesame Dressing
Add 1 tsp chili oil or sriracha for a fiery kick. Excellent for noodle salads or grilled meats.
2. Miso Sesame Dressing
Whisk in 1 tsp white or yellow miso paste for a savoury, umami-rich model.
3. Citrus Sesame Dressing
Add 1 tbsp yuzu juice or lime juice for a brilliant, tangy twist.
4. Ginger-Sesame Dressing
Combine in additional freshly grated ginger for a warming, fragrant model.
5. Vegan Goma Dressing
Skip the mayo and use tahini or vegan mayo. You may also substitute honey with maple syrup or agave.
6. Creamy Peanut-Sesame Dressing
Mix 1 tbsp peanut butter into the dressing for a Southeast Asian-style flavour.
Helpful Tools
- Small frying pan – for toasting sesame seeds.
- Pestle and mortar – ultimate for grinding sesame seeds to the fitting texture. I discover spice grinders not nearly as good however they do work when you’re cautious. You can additionally use a rolling pin to crush the sesame seeds.
- Whisk or small blender – to emulsify the dressing.
- Glass jar or bottle – for storage.
Storage and Serving
Storage:
- Retailer the dressing in a sealed glass jar or bottle within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
- Shake or stir earlier than every use as pure separation could happen.
Freezing:
- Not beneficial — freezing adjustments the feel of the mayo and sesame oil.
Serving leftovers:
This dressing is served chilly or room temperature. If it thickens within the fridge, let it sit for 10–quarter-hour earlier than utilizing or stir in a teaspoon of heat water to loosen it.
High Tip
At all times use toasted sesame seeds — Uncooked seeds have a light, grassy style however toasting releases wealthy, nutty oils important to genuine flavour.
FAQ
Sure! Substitute 2 tbsp tahini for the toasted sesame seeds. It’s smoother and simpler to mix, although barely totally different in flavour and texture.
You need to use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar as an alternative, although rice vinegar provides the mildest and most balanced tang.
Sure. Substitute mayo with silken tofu, Greek yogurt, or blended avocado for a creamy however lighter model.
Pure separation is regular. Simply shake or whisk earlier than serving. To assist it emulsify higher, add a bit extra mayo.
Wish to strive extra Japanese Recipes?
Listed here are a couple of I feel you may already know and love:
Have you ever tried this Japanese Salad Dressing recipe?
If sure, please give it a star score within the recipe card beneath and depart a remark. I like receiving your suggestions and I’m certain different readers of my weblog do too. Thanks.
If you’re not already doing so, please observe The Curry Man on Instagram and Facebook for all our newest recipes.
Yield: 4 to six
Japanese Salad Dressing

Making Japanese salad dressing like this at house is fast and simple. It takes lower than 10 minutes and tastes more energizing and extra fragrant than any bottled model.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook dinner Time
4 minutes
Complete Time
4 minutes
Elements
- 3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 3 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise (akin to Kewpie; common mayo works too)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp mirin (optionally available)
- 1–2 tbsp water or milk (to skinny as wanted)
- ½ tsp grated ginger for a zingy be aware
- 1 clove garlic, finely grated
- ½ tsp white miso paste for umami depth
Directions
- In a dry frying pan, toast the sesame seeds over a medium warmth till golden and aromatic. This could take about 2 to three minutes. Stir usually to stop burning. Switch to a plate to chill barely.
- Use a spice grinder or pestle and mortar to coarsely grind the toasted sesame seeds. We wish among the seeds to be a superb powder whereas different seeds stay coarsely crushed.
- In a mixing bowl, mix the bottom sesame seeds, mayonnaise, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar or honey, sesame oil and mirin.
- Whisk till the dressing is easy and creamy. Should you really feel it’s too thick, add a drop of water to take advantage of.
Style the dressing and alter the flavours if wanted. Add a bit extra vinegar for tang, soy sauce for salt or sugar for sweetness relying in your desire. - For the perfect flavour, refrigerate the dressing for at the very least half-hour earlier than serving. This enables the sesame aroma to develop fantastically.
Really useful Merchandise
As an Amazon Affiliate and member of different affiliate packages, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Vitamin Data:
Yield:
6
Serving Measurement:
1
Quantity Per Serving:
Energy: 140Complete Fats: 10gSaturated Fats: 2gTrans Fats: 0gUnsaturated Fats: 8gLdl cholesterol: 6mgSodium: 376mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 3g