Make this iconic and delicious Japanese Restaurant Style Ginger Salad Dressing Recipe in less than 10 minutes! Inspired by Japanese-American steakhouses, the sweet and tangy flavors make the perfect pairing to ice cold iceberg lettuce!
Japanese Restaurant Style Ginger Salad Dressing
OMG… I am missing Japan like crazy right now. This happens from time to time. You see, between the years I spent living in Japan – and since my mother now lives in Fukuoka (and my brother and cousins in Tokyo) – there is a real hold the land of the rising sun has on me.
I’ve been watching a few Japanese series (Midnight Diner and Terrace House) on Netflix recently in hopes of loosening that yearning – but the main effect those shows are having is making me super hungry! When I’m missing family, the first thing I start to crave is the foods I associate with them (plus, those shows aren’t light on the food references!).
This Japanese salad dressing recipe may be an Americanized version of the original (which has no carrots, uses less sugar and more ginger) but since I grew up on this side of the pond, speaks to me the same as if I was eating the real thing in Japan.
This is the ubiquitous restaurant style ginger and carrot dressing you get on your starter salad at your local sushi restaurant. It’s delicious, super easy to make and, if you’re like me, it’s a comforting reminder of home.
Common Ingredients, Iconic Flavor
The ultimate best thing about this Japanese restaurant salad dressing (aside from the incredible taste) is how simple it is to whip up using just a few common ingredients. A couple of carrots, a small onion and organic canola oil all form the base of this restaurant style dressing.
Then, this delicious salad topper gets a savory undertone from soy sauce. That zing… well, that’s from the rice vinegar and fresh ginger! If you’ve been to a Japanese restaurant in the US or Canada, chances are excellent that you’ve had a variation of this salad dressing. It’s so cool that, when combined, pantry ingredients this common can have such a universally recognizable flavor!
How To Make Ginger Dressing
You will need a blender to make this salad dressing.
Start by adding all the ingredients, except for the oil, in the blender. Press start and blend until the texture is smooth. While keeping the blender on, slowly add the oil so that it emulsifies (blends) with the other ingredients.
Doing it too quickly can cause the oil to separate, so take your time for this step! Once you are done, do a taste test and if you think it needs adjusting, add a little more sugar or salt.
And that’s it, you’ve just made the iconic Japanese salad dressing in your own kitchen!
A Reminder of Home
A simple side salad is so much more satisfying to me when topped with this bright and iconic Japanese carrot ginger dressing. Whether I’m in my home kitchen or at a restaurant, the flavor transports me to meals I enjoyed long ago with family and friends halfway around the world. Bite after bite, I feel a little bit closer to the people and the country I find myself missing so much these days. What about you? What food reminds you of home? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Other simple, delicious Japanese recipes:
Did you like this Japanese Restaurant Style Ginger Dressing Recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments section below!
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Japanese Restaurant Style Ginger Dressing
This iconic and delicious Japanese Restaurant Style Ginger Dressing Recipe will transport your taste buds to Shibuya! Ready in 10 minutes from start to finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 people
- Category: Easy, Healthy, Vegetarian, Salad Dressing
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
- 7 ounces carrots (peeled and chopped )
- 4 ounces onion (peeled and finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons ginger (peeled and finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup organic canola oil
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients except for the canola oil in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Slowly add the oil and blend until the mixture has emulsified.
- Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
- Serve with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumber.
Notes
This Japanese Restaurant Style Ginger Dressing Recipe makes about 2 cups and serves aprox 8 – and is:
High in vitamin A
Has no cholesterol
Paul says
This looks outstanding and am going to make it tonight. All the other recipes I have come across add ketchup or tomato paste. Has anyone tried adding those? Also, was thinking peanut oil might be a good add.
Caroline Phelps says
Hi Paul, I think peanut oil would indeed taste really nice with this dressing. If you try it, please leave another comment to let us know how it turned out 🙂
Sarbella says
I made this dressing and it’s spot on. Then I looked up Midnight Diner on Netflix. Thank you for both. Currently learning wok skills. Maybe some Tan-men in the near future
trenee says
Delicious! Omg, I made it and it was delicious! I really wanted it to taste like the dressing at one of my favorite sushi restaurants and I can honestly say that I think this taste better than the restaurant’s dressing (maybe because it’s fresh). Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for posting this recipe.
Carey says
This sounds good… Do you have a version with orange juice in it? I’m trying to find a recipe similar to the restaurant in my town. It is fresh ginger, carrot and orange, but I can not get it right!!!
Caroline Phelps says
Hi Carey, I unfortunately am not familiar with the orange juice version. Have you tried making my recipe and then add orange juice little by little? That may help you figure out the right ratio 😉
mary Hendricks says
When you say the nutrition is for the entire recipe, can you break it down to a serving size. Is it 2 tablespoons to a serving or 1/4 or 1/2 cup serving???? I’m accustomed to salad serving size as 2 tablespoons. Please correct me if I’m wrong. Thank you.
Caroline Phelps says
Hi Mary, the serving size is for 6-7 tablespoons (for a big salad). 2 tablespoons would be come to about 72-75 calories 🙂
Janese DeMarco says
OMG IM IN LOVE WITH THIS RECIPE!THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT!
Kathy says
What kind of onion is best for this recipe?
Caroline Phelps says
Hi Kathy, you can use a regular white or yellow onion 🙂
Sarah Laurianti says
This is fantastic. I love it so much I bring it in to work to jazz up the boring salads they serve. Hubby and kids even love it. Awesome !!
Carmem says
It is a top fav in our house! Thank you so much for this amazing salad dressing recipe!
Caroline Phelps says
Yay! Thank you Carmen for letting me know 🙂
Tasha says
I found this much more vinegary than I’m used to. Maybe the Japanese restaurants in eastern North Carolina aren’t on the same page as some others! Good consistency though. I will make it again and use a little less rice vinegar.
Caroline Phelps says
Hi Tasha, the American style version is definitely sweeter than what’s being offered in Japan. Using less vinegar should bring you pretty close to the flavor you like 🙂
Sarah says
On the nutrition facts, what is the serving size?
Caroline Phelps says
Hi Sarah, the serving size is for the entire dressing 🙂
Kellina says
I made this last night and it was awesome! I used romaine instead of iceberg lettuce, and it worked but I recommend not adding the dressing until the last second or it will wilt your lettuce.
Amy says
How many carrots and onions should I use, approximately? I can’t measure in ounces. 🙁
Caroline Phelps says
Hi Amy, 7 ounces is about the equivalent of 3 medium carrots. I would suggest you add the carrots little by little and keep an eye on the consistency until you are happy with it.
zouhair fiorino najjar says
Hi very mouthwatering recipe..i like fresh Ginger very much..i will save the recipe ,,try it ,,and will post it to my social media accounts..
Caroline Phelps says
It’s one of my all time favorite dressings 🙂
jennifer perez says
Approximately how long does this keep in the fridge ?
Caroline Phelps says
Hi Jennifer, the dressing will keep for about 2 weeks refrigerated.
Tracey says
Can the canola oil be substituted for olive oil or safflower oil
Caroline Phelps says
Hi Tracey! A neutral oil would be preferable but if the olive oil you are using isn’t too strong, it should be fine too 🙂
Kathy says
I have always loved the dressing served in Japanese restaurants. Thank you for sharing. Now I can have it any time I want.
Caroline Phelps says
You’re welcome Kathy! 🙂
Josh says
That sounds amazeballs. Huge fan of these dressings usually make our own but have never attempted this. For this, we thank you.
Caroline Phelps says
It’s one of my favorites, I hope you like it Josh!