For fans of mayonnaise, there’s both good and bad news from Japan. The good news? Your beloved condiment has taken on a drinkable form. The bad news? Social media has largely branded it “awful.” The drink, dubbed Nomu Mayo (literally “Drinkable Mayo”), has been launched by Lawson, a well-known Japanese convenience store chain, and it’s certainly turning heads.
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Packaged in an elegant cup decorated with a playful squeeze-bottle design, the drink is priced at ¥198 (approximately £1.08). According to Lawson, it’s a “chilled drink mayo fanatics have long been waiting for.” While Japan’s love for mayonnaise in dishes such as sushi, rice balls, and pizza is well-documented, the reception for this creamy concoction has been far from unanimous.
Not quite mayo: A taste experiment
Despite the name, Lawson clarifies that Nomu Mayo is a “mayonnaise-style drink,” not actual mayonnaise. The label notes ingredients like milk-based foods, mayonnaise-flavoured seasoning, and processed whole eggs. However, early reviews suggest it tastes remarkably like mayonnaise.
A reviewer from Gigazine commented on the drink’s unexpectedly mayonnaise-like flavour, adding that it might struggle to appeal to fans accustomed to the thicker, richer taste of Japanese mayo.
Social media’s verdict
{{/usCountry}}A reviewer from Gigazine commented on the drink’s unexpectedly mayonnaise-like flavour, adding that it might struggle to appeal to fans accustomed to the thicker, richer taste of Japanese mayo.
Social media’s verdict
{{/usCountry}}The drink’s debut has triggered a flurry of reactions online, with many expressing outright disgust. “I can’t decide if this is genius or a crime against food. Maybe both?” exclaimed one X (formerly Twitter) user. Another joked about Japan’s fascination with mayonnaise, calling it “My taste buds are confused, but my curiosity is piqued. I need answers!”
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Not all comments were as harsh, though. Some tried to find humour in the concept. “Relax, it’s just savoury eggnog,” quipped a user. Another guessed, “I have a feeling it’s just a yoghurt drink.”
Still, others drew the line at drinking mayonnaise, however modified. “As someone who puts mayo on everything, even I’m scared to try this.” wrote a sceptical commenter.