Japanese potato salad is a traditional salad that's a staple at izakayas (informal bars), but it's also often prepared at home. Although there are many variations and many ingredients can be added to the salad, it's usually made with a combination of half-mashed potatoes, sliced carrots and cucumbers, hard-boiled eggs, and sometimes ham.

The salad is seasoned with Japanese kewpie mayonnaise and sometimes rice vinegar. It's often enjoyed as a side dish in bento lunch boxes. Japanese potato salad can be served warm or cold, but what's important is that it should always be both creamy and crunchy.