If you haven’t done so yet, please enter $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway. It’s open till 12am PST Saturday, October 1st so you still have time to enter. Also, thank you for taking your time to answer my question about what ingredients or dish you want to see on Just One Cookbook. I will start working on this list to feature the recipes and dishes requested. Speaking of which, today’s recipe Sesame Dressing was one of the readers’ request a while ago.
Since my son loves Japanese sesame dressing, I keep making different versions and this particular dressing is actually my husband’s favorite. I wrote down the recipe so that I can make it again, but usually I keep altering the recipe to see if I can improve it. He likes this particular one because he likes the taste of vinegar in it (so yes, it may be a little sour for some of you). Some sesame dressing is too creamy (more mayonnaise) and he doesn’t like it too much. This dressing on the other hand has just enough mayonnaise to be called “sesame dressing”. I’m happy because it’s healthier version by using less mayo. You might want to add more mayo if you prefer the dressing to be more creamy. Maybe in the future I’ll share another version but for now this is my family’s favorite version.
TGIF! Ever since my children started school, my weekdays have been so busy from the time kids wake up till they go to sleep. Other mommy bloggers that I talked to are also struggling with running their blogs. I’ll try my best to respond to your comments quickly, but if not… I’m sorry but I promise I’ll get back to you soon!
Have a great weekend everyone!!!
Ingredients:
- 3 Tbsp. white sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp. Japanese mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar (reduce the amount if you prefer less sour)
- 1½ Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tsp. sugar
- ½ tsp. mirin
- ½ tsp. sesame oil
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Put sesame seeds in a frying pan and toast them on low heat until 2-3 sesame seeds starts jumping (similar to popcorn). Remove from the heat immediately.
- Put the roasted sesame seeds in a circular grinder and grind them with a wooden pestle while they are hot. If you don’t have a Japanese grinder any other spice grinder will do. It’s up to you how fine/coarse you want to grind the sesame seeds. Keeping the sesame seeds a bit coarse gives the salad more texture when eating, similar to adding nuts.
- Combine all in a bowl and whisk everything together or use food processor to mix. I can make about 100 ml with this recipe.
Enjoy
Hi, I'm Nami. Thanks for stopping by Just One Cookbook. You can read little bit more about me 
{ 98 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes Yes! Seasame Dressing is one of my fav salad dressings too but the one we have over here at the supermarket was a bit more towards sourish taste. Emmm shall give yours a bit as it look really simple to hands-on at home
Thanks for sharing your quick sauce. Have a great weekend Nami.
Ellena, my husband LOVES the sourish taste, so if you will make this, please use less vinegar or add more sugar/mirin/mayo to make it mild.
I love trying different salad dressings and I love sesame too..will give this a try very very soon
My husband used to work in a Japanese Restaurant in Sydney during his ‘student’ days, where he learnt to make this dressings. We were hooked by the first taste. Kids love it and they would definitely be having second helping of salad (which is quite ‘unusual’ in my house)… Beautiful taste
Hi Lisa,
Can you sure your version of the sesame dressing?
Thank you.
Sorry I mean share your recipe…
I got a bottle of this in Japan because my kids loved it too, especially on broccoli. But I never made it at home, usually I just do sesame, miso and a little dashi mixed together as a dressing for vegetables, mostly because I don’t like vinegar so much. And I learned the expression ‘goma suru’
.
What do you think if I were to make it with a little mayo and lemon juice, and maybe no sugar and vinegar… fussy me eh!!
Ciao
A.
Alessandra, I think lemon works. Let me know if you try with lemon. I assume the result will be pretty close. Right, we have 2 meanings for “goma suru”
Ciao!
Have I told you I put grilled sesame seeds practically everywhere? I am a huge sesame freak and even though it’s not me who asked for this recipe, I feel as if I did! I will never have enough of dishes, sauces or salads calling for sesame. You dressing sounds so good, I could bet any amount of money that I will love it. Actually I am making it for today’s lunch! (I’s not a joke!). Thank you, Nami, once more, for sharing such a lovely idea!
I will have to think what else you could write about… but you have already so many recipes and ingredients included…
No need to explain, mom! What a great mom to make his favorite dressing!
Sounds delicious, but I’m a little embarrassed to admit I have no idea what mirin is…
Mirin is an essential condiment used in Japanese cuisine and it’s one of the ingredient for Teriyaki Chicken. It consists of 40%–50% sugar, so we often replace sugar with mirin. Mirin is one of three condiments used for Japanese cooking including soy sauce and sake.
Very beautiful salad, and recipe for dressing is yummy! I would go with more sour. it is one thing that I loveee when it comes to these typos of salads. Great photos as always!!
Have a great weekend, Nami!!!
I would love to have less sourish. Your salad looks very beautiful
I love Japanese Sesame Dressing and yours looks incredible! I’ll have to give it a try soon
P.S. Great Photos!
I have always wondered how to make sesame dressing!
Nami, what an incredible dressing! I am always looking for new ideas and this sounds like it will be a favourite.
Mandy
Have a happy weekend.
I love love love Sesame Dressing! Couldn’t get enough of it.. Luckily it’s so easy to make, because the bottled one taste too much msg.. YAY! Thank you for sharing
I love sesame dressing! This sounds amazing. I hope things calm down a bit soon and you have time to breathe! Have a great weekend!
This one’s new on me and looks absolutely delicious. Don’t push yourself too hard!
I love sesame dressing! A lot of the time I base whether I like a sushi restaurant or not off of their salad dressing (I probably should do it more off of the sushi but consider both 50/50). I’ve never tried making it and have always wondered which recipe to use. Looks like I have one now
Quick question, what is the difference between japanese mayonaise and ‘american’ mayonaise?
Hi Claire, Japanese mayonnaise is made with egg yolks instead of whole eggs, and apple cider (or rice) vinegar instead of distilled vinegar. Over all it is creamier in both color and texture. A lot of people I know got hooked after trying Japanese mayonnaise, and I hope you will like it. Here’s the link of common Japanese mayonnaise brand: Kewpie (QP) mayonnaise. It’s much cheaper at Asian/Japanese supermarket.
I had this exact question and glad someone else asked it. I’m definitely going to try this sometime!
I find the flavour of roasted sesame so addicting! And funny coincidence: I hast had a Koulouri (greek circular bread with sesame) with a tart-spicy tomato-sesame dip from a street vendor for lunch. Completely different country and culture, yet two ways to have sesame with a sour note.
Now I’m having salad-cravings…
Cheers,
Tobias
I find the flavour of roasted sesame so addicting! And funny coincidence: I hast had a Koulouri (greek circular bread with sesame) with a tart-spicy tomato-sesame dip from a street vendor for lunch. Completely different country and culture, yet two ways to have sesame with a sour note.
Now I’m really having salad-cravings…
Cheers,
Tobias
I love sesame dressing!! It’s one of my favorites! Can you make me a big bottle of it?!!
I love a sesame dressing but not all are created equal that is for sure. The ingredients in this sound really good, I will have to make some. I’m with you now that school has started I’m super busy.
Wonderful, Nami! I once made a miso-tahini dressing (the lazy version of this
), the flavors go really well with each other. 
I am not sure that I have ever tried a true Sesame Dressing – but I always gravitate towards the Asian flavored dressings, so I am sure this would be great. I have to make a salad to bring to a party tomorrow, I might have to see if I can find the ingredients to try this one.
Nami the sesame dressing looks wonderful! On my last trip to the Asian market, I bought a HUGE bottle of Ponzu sauce and a thing of Japanese mayo, can’t wait to use them to make something healthy! Have a great weekend!
Oh, Nami, this looks like a delicious dressing for a fabulous salad! Gorgeous photos as always.
PS…I’m looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow! Hooray for the weekend~
This looks like such a great dressing! I have never tried sesame in my dressing but I am sure I will love this new flavour!
I also struggle a lot to make time for my blog so i understand what you mean… I think you are far better than me in replying to all your comments! I just can’t keep up though I have just a few comments on my posts!
This is a nice and simple dressing! Delicious also with steamed vegetables. Have a lovely weekend!
My sister in law introduced me to this sesame dressing she bought at Costco. I absolutely loved it! Every time I’m there she makes sure she has a bottle. I eat it straight up with some baby leaves lettuce. Nothing else needed. I’ve been thinking about trying to remake it, so can you imagine how happy I am to see your post today? Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this recipe!
This is great, I like to adjust the vinegar and sugar in many recipes, just my preference. This one I have to try… Now I have to make sur I still have some Japanese mayonaise
Nami, I am always impressed with how much blogging you do do and especially with everything else you do. I can’t believe you answer everyone’s comment! You’re the best!
Unfortunately I don’t have time to respond to every single comment (I enjoy reading them them all!), but I try to at least visit everyone’s blog…but I’m usually running behind (did you notice?). I leave my answer to questions here so others can benefit and also email the answer back to the person via email. Enjoy the dressing!
I am still impressed, with facebook, twitter, and everyone’s blog, plus a mother and so on and so on….
That looks good. I’ve never had a sesame dressing, but I think I will have to try this.
I’m so glad you posted this Nami. I’m always buying sesame dressing when I would love to make my own. I’m going to try this as soon as my current bottle runs out. Thanks!!
I love salad dressing on the sour side! This sounds so perfect for me!
I really like this fragrant dressing!
Ooh Nami I love sesame dressing as well and I bet it would be great drizzled over sesame grilled tuna that’s on a bed of greens. I will definitely file this recipe.
As for your photography maybe I need to spend more time reading the manual. What type of camera do you use? Hopefully my skills will change after I read up. Later next week I actually have someone coming by to give me some pointers.
Thanks for that reply. Have a great weekend.
Hi Vicki, I use Cannon T2i and 50mm F1.4 lens and 60mm F2 macro lens. I really need to read manuals but it’s been so hard to find time to read something besides food blogs!
Oh I have never made sesame dressing from scratch. This sounds like it would be great over tofu too! YUM!
i have a bottle of sesame dressin gcalled makoto’s that my friends from florida send me. i discovered this divine sauce in a bottle 4 years ago and im hooked ever since.
It’s been awhile since I came over here, well ta-dah im back. And I’m glad I am. Nami, I am so proud of you, I know I miss the CBS award thingy but GO GIRL, Im so PROUD of you! Keep it up and make you still “know” me when you are way up there hihihih, I know you would haha!
Congrats again, and have a great weekend.
malou
I have to try this, I love sesame. I make a sort-of sesame dressing but the addition of mayo sounds great!
I love sesame dressing. I learned it’s yummy for nearly everything. I dipped chicken in it, I dipped beef in it, and of course, I used it on salads.
I have a different question for you, though. Another of my favorite dressings was called Wafu Dressing. Have you ever heard of it or how to make it?
Hi Tracey, thanks for dropping by.
Yes, sesame dressing/sauce is very versatile! Wafu means Japanese style, so as long as it’s using Japanese ingredients (soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, etc), it is wafu dressing. I have a basic wafu dressing recipe so I’ll share it one day. As you can imagine every household has different kinds of wafu dressing, so I hope you will like mine. Thanks!
Nami, you know I am a big fan of Japanese cuisine, and thanks to you, I am slowly trying to prepare Japanese dishes here at home! I will get sesame seeds, and I think I’m good to go
.
Thank you for sharing!
Nami – this looks delicious! I love a good sesame dressing! Thanks so much for sharing (and the pics are terrific as always)!
Nami-that’s a wonderful homemade Japanese dressing. Love the crushed sesame seeds, and the Japanese mayonnaise which I did not hear of (I’m certain I can find this in our Asian market)
Salad looks real yummy:DDD
Stopped over from foodbuzz…buzzed you!
I don’t have kids in school but it seems like everything is moving at warp speed. Thankfully I only teach 2 days a week or I’d really feel burned out. Time for baking seems few and far between. I happy that I have yummy recipes like this one to take my mind off being busy.
I love the flavor of sesame. Its oil is quite a predominant ingredient in South Indian cooking. I am sure I love this dressing. Will give it a try for sure.
Hi Nami. This is a wonderful recipe and am totally trying this one out this week. You always take such lovely photos too. I think all us mommies are struggling to fit it all in. Not enough hours in the day. We all adore you. I read because I love you and your blog and will read whether you have time to reply or not. Enjoy your time with the kids. They’re only young once. Have a great weekend. xx
Wonderful photos! This dressing looks so beautiful!
Easy and tasty. Thanks for sharing.
oh my!!! looks delicious!!!
I love the flavor of sesame and this dressing is so fab!
I am hosting a giveaway in my blog hope to see you participating!
I am so happy you posted this. I love sesame dressing but never tried making it. I will definitely give this a try. Thank you!
i always have a bottle of japanese sesame dressing in my fridge, it makes any type of salad extra delicious! and now i know how to make it from scratch! it seems much much healthier
btw, im glad you tried the avocado egg salad on toast and liked it
Nami – Your sesame dressing sounds really good. I like the fact that it has less mayo too. That is one good looking and healthy salad you have there.
I only you sesame dressing on salads!! I am obsessed. I make mine a little different then yours (toasted sesame seeds, oil, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sugar) but I love the look of your recipe. I will most definitely be trying it once I use up the batch of dressing I have!
Hope you had a great weekend!
Hi Nami, I am so sorry for not visiting for such a long time! I see there are many new delicious recipes here
. I have always wondered how to make Japanese sesame dressing because sometimes when I buy a bento box from a sushi shop I normally visit, I always get a small container of sesame dressing which tastes wonderful…! Now I know how to make it myself, thanks for the recipe Nami 
!
I didn’t request this one but I am glad others did. I have always wanted to know how to make this dressing and so happy that I now know…
Nami, what a co-incidence! I just posted a dish using sesame sauce:D The other ingredients used are different but I am going to try your version the next time I do the chilled tomatoes.
your dressing sounds delicious, I am going to give it a try on our school salad bar! What is the difference with Japanese Mayo vs American?
Hi Chef Dennis! Japanese mayonnaise is made with egg yolks instead of whole eggs, and apple cider (or rice) vinegar instead of distilled vinegar. Over all it is creamier in both color and texture.
Hi Nami! I just love the cold sesame salad served at Japanese restaurants. It’s such a refreshing appetizer and the dressing really speaks for itself. Your version must be even better, so it’s a must try for me!
That dressing looks incredibly good. I have to try it: it might compete with my usual oil and balsamic vinegar choice.
lovely.. it look so healthy… i like
I never tried something like this, I will definitely love it and can be a replacement for the usual vinaigrette.
Nami, this dressing looks amazing! Easy and so tasty… perfect for a salad!
wow…never know that sesame can be good for salad dressing …I’ll try it some other time…must be delicious..
Looks great! Hope you are enjoying a slower paced weekend!
colourful and delicious looks wonderful yummy dressing
Ohhhh this sounds like a great dressing! Sesame seeds are so yummy and I like the idea of keeping them a little coarse for more texture! Also, I love vinegar (sigh), so I think I would love this healthier version!
This sesame dressing post is quite useful for me, since I keep on changing salad dressings for some variation to my regular salad. I know, sometimes it becomes challenging to manage kids and blogging, together!
Tq for sharing this post nami! quite simple but will taste great!
will buy the ingredients for the salad!!
Thanks for sharing Nami, I going to make this dressing for garnish with noodles next time.
Thank you for this recipe!! Sesame dressing is so yummy!
I was introduced to the sesame dressing by my cousin-in-law few years back when it was launched in SG and I fell in love with it immediately!
The cost of a bottle is quite expensive so I don’t always buy it but now I can make my own sesame dressing with your recipe!
Love the flavors in that sauce (at least the ones I know
), and the colors in that photo!
First time here and i am loving being here. All the gorgeous pictures are just tempting.
Loved this sesame dressing, would like to make it with some changes as we don’t gey some of the ingredients here in India…
Funny… sesame was a flavor that I didn’t like growing up but now I actually crave. I guess those taste buds really do change as we age. My daughter though, has loved the flavor since she was born. This would make a neat dipping sauce for her veggies!
I love everything sesame and I use a lot of sesame seeds and oil in my cooking. I’d definitely try your recipe. Thanks!
MMMmmm sounds delightful. I Love making homemade dressing. I want to try this out soon. I cannot get japanese mayo here so I will have to substitute regular. Japanese mayo is sweeter, isn’t it??
You know that we are all impressed with your great time management to have small children and do a blog. No worries with taking a bit more time to do things. Home life and family are priority and that is good. You are doing a fantastic job!!!!
Hi Nami, I am a new Mom learning to cook. I saw yr sesame dressing recipe. Looks interesting and very do-able. May I know how long can the dressing be stored in the fridge section? Appreciate your advice. Thanks.
Hi Jenn! Thank you for asking. I usually try to use it in less than a week. I keep the dressing in an air-tight jar and store in fridge. Probably 7-10 days should be okay. Please check the dressing’s condition before you eat it.
I made some hummus last week and had some homemade tahini left in the refrigerator. I was trying to figure out what to do with this left-over when I saw your recipe for sesame dressing. I made this for dinner tonight and drizzled it over a big bowlful of vegetable salad and it was awesome! Thank you very much.
Hello John! I’m so happy you enjoyed this dressing! Your homemade hummus must be delicious too. Thank you so much or taking your time to give me your feedback.
Tried this dressing yesterday. My hubby and I both fans of the wafu salad dressing. Now we can add this to our fav list =)
Thanks Nami-san for the wonderful recipes.
Thank you for trying this recipe! I’m happy you two enjoyed this dressing and thank you for writing your feedback!
Tried your sesame salad dressing recipe and love it! Very easy to make & taste fantastic!Thank you.
Hi Jenny! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for letting me know!
Thank you so much! I just made it and it’s pretty much perfect. I kept wanting to buy it, but it’s awfully expensive at asian markets, and I thought I’d be able to make it if I just got the ingredients right. You’re awesome!
Hi Krista! Thank you for your feedback! Yeah once we know how to make it (easily), there is no need to buy a store-bought, especially it has some additives etc. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for taking your time to write your feedback!
Hi, Nami,
What is rice vinegar, is it Japanese type of vinegar ? I am staying Msia. Can be easily getting this product?
Thank you.
Hi Lf! Japanese dishes use rice vinegar for cooking. I think you can get it in Japanese department store there (I heard some Malaysian food bloggers go there to get some Japanese products). Rice vinegar is mild compared to regular vinegar, so it helps to get the right flavor for this dressing.
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