Japanese Potato Salad
A classic Yoshoku (Japanese Western-style cuisine) side dish, this creamy potato salad features tender mashed potatoes, crisp vegetables, savory ham, and a rich, tangy dressing. It's a comforting and satisfying accompaniment to any meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Potatoes(Yukon Gold or other waxy potatoes work best for their creamy texture.)
- 100 g Japanese mayonnaise(Kewpie mayonnaise is highly recommended for its distinct flavor profile.)
- 1 medium Cucumber(English or Japanese cucumber preferred for fewer seeds and thinner skin.)
- 1/2 medium Carrot(Finely diced for even distribution.)
- 50 g Cooked ham(Diced into small, bite-sized pieces.)
- 2 Eggs(Hard-boiled, cooled, and roughly chopped.)
- 1 teaspoon Salt(For salting the cucumber and for boiling the potatoes.)
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper(Freshly ground, to taste.)
- 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar(Optional, for a touch of acidity.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into roughly 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes. Place them in a medium pot, cover with cold water by about an inch, and add 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until fork-tender but not mushy. Drain well and return to the hot, empty pot for 1-2 minutes to allow excess moisture to evaporate. Mash the potatoes while still hot using a potato masher or fork. For a smoother texture, you can pass them through a ricer. Leave some small chunks for texture if desired.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 2
Prepare the cucumber and carrot: Thinly slice the cucumber and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Finely dice the carrot. After 10 minutes, firmly squeeze the water out of the cucumber slices using your hands or by pressing them in a clean kitchen towel. Discard the water. If the cucumber slices are large, you can roughly chop them.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Boil the eggs: While the potatoes are cooking, hard-boil the eggs. Place eggs in a small saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce heat slightly and cook for 9-10 minutes. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to cool. Peel and roughly chop the cooled eggs.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 4
Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, squeezed cucumber, diced carrot, diced ham, and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Add the Japanese mayonnaise, black pepper, and optional rice vinegar. Gently fold everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the salad gummy.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Chill and serve: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably longer, to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly. Serve cold as a side dish.
⏱️ Minimum 1 hour chilling
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Japanese mayonnaise (like Kewpie) is essential for the authentic flavor. Its richness and tang are distinct from Western-style mayonnaise.
- ✓Don't over-mash the potatoes; leaving some small chunks provides a pleasant textural contrast.
- ✓Salting and squeezing the cucumber is crucial to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- ✓Chilling the potato salad for at least an hour allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a more cohesive and delicious dish.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add 1/2 cup of drained canned corn for sweetness and color.
- Omit the ham for a vegetarian version.
- Add a tablespoon of finely chopped red onion or chives for extra flavor.
- A pinch of sugar can be added to balance the flavors.