How to Make the Best Spicy Mayo Sauce Recipe for Sushi

This easy spicy mayo sauce recipe is the perfect drizzle or dipping sauce for sushi rolls. It’s made with sriracha, Japanese mayonnaise, and a few other simple ingredients.

What is Spicy Mayonnaise?

Whenever I'm at the sushi bar, I alway ask for a side of spicy mayo sauce.

Not only is it one of my favorite sushi bar condiments of all time, but spicy mayonnaise is also amazing on all sorts of things even beyond spicy tuna rolls. 

Most sushi lovers use it as a dipping sauce for their favorite dishes at Japanese restaurants.  it's the perfect sauce for sushi rolls, sushi bowls, poke bowls and rice bowls.

But it's also delicious with all sorts of cuisines. I recommend trying this sriracha mayo recipe with chicken nuggets, smothered on a fried chicken sandwich, drizzled over hot dogs, or even dunked into sweet potato fries or regular french fries.

Luckily, this delicious sauce isn't only found at sushi restaurants. You can find pre-made spicy mayo sauce in most grocery stores.

Or you can make spicy sriracha mayo yourself with my simple recipe which calls for a few basic ingredients.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Japanese Mayonnaise -  Kewpie Mayo is the my go-to for the base of this sauce. Unlike regular mayo, Japanese Kewpie Mayonnaise is made with egg yolks so much it's much more rich than American mayo. This creamy sauce is one of my favorite condiments and you can find it at pretty much any Asian grocery store. I've even seen it at Walmart and World Market! If you want to make homemade mayonnaise, that would be the second option that I recommend. Or if you can't have eggs, you could try vegan mayo or greek yogurt and it will still be delicious. Again, this is just my personal preference so use whatever mayo you prefer!
• Sriracha Sauce - This spicy chili sauce is the key to a delicious homemade spicy mayo. If you can't find this spicy sauce in your local grocery store, you could also use another hot sauce to get a spicy kick but it won't taste the same. 
• Toasted Sesame Oil - Sesame oil may not be a traditional ingredient in Japanese spicy mayo, but I think it adds so much flavor and it makes this creamy sauce more loose so it's easier to drizzle.
• Granulated Sugar - I think adding a pinch of sugar makes this sauce extra delicious and truly makes it pop. I always add a pinch of sugar to my yum yum sauce, too and I swear it takes it next level.

Optional Additions

• Other Hot Sauce: if you want not only a fiery kick but also some crunch, you can definitely add a spoonful of crispy chili oil. I think it's absolutely delicious and I love the texture it brings. 
• Soy Sauce: Some people add a splash of soy sauce but I think it's unnecessary. 
• Acid: Another addition is an optional splash of lime juice or even rice vinegar. Some homemade spicy mayo enthusiasts recommend but I think it throws off the flavor profile. 
• Fresh Herbs: I am not a big fan of fresh herbs in my spicy mayonnaise but you could absolutely add some green onions if you are. 

How to make it

The best thing about making this spicy mayo recipe is that it's super easy!

Mix Ingredients: To begin, just add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir to combine. 

Tweak to Taste: Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning for your palette. Is it too spicy? Add a little bit more Japanese mayonnaise. Not spicy enough? Add more sriracha sauce until it' is.'s perfect.

Use or Store it: Once you tweak it to your personal preference, you can use it right away or place in an airtight container in the fridge.

What to serve with this spicy creamy sauce?

One of my favorite ways to use this dipping sauce is to drizzle it over my sweet chili salmon sushi bake or my Salmon Sushi Cups!

I also recommend serving this simple recipe with spicy tuna rolls, on poke bowls, or even on my shortcut korean fried chicken sandwich. 

It's even delicious to swap it out for regular mayo in a potato salad or drizzled over my asian avocado salad. You could also swap it for yum yum sauce in my hibachi chicken recipe.

No matter how you serve it, you'll love this easy recipe!

Recipe