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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Sauces and Dressings

    Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (Quick And Easy)

    Published: Jan 23, 2022 ยท Updated: Jun 21, 2024 by Tammilee ยท This post may contain affiliate links

    This easy Yum Yum sauce Recipe is perfect for dipping. In less than 5 minutes, you can make your favorite Japanese hibachi restaurant sauce at home. It's so easy and tastes fantastic.

    Yum Yum Sauce text written over a hand dipping a fried shrimp in a bowl of homemade yum yum sauce

    Yum Yum Sauce

    Contents show
    Yum Yum Sauce
    What's in Yum Yum Sauce?
    Equipment Needed
    How to make Yum Yum Sauce
    Preparation and Storage
    Recipe Variations
    Tips for the Best Yum Yum Sauce
    What to Serve with Yum Yum Sauce
    When to Serve
    Great Recipe Collections
    Yum Yum Sauce
    Ingredients
    Instructions
    Kitchen Tools
    Notes
    Nutrition

    This sauce is the perfect combination of sweet with a bit of tang.

    Every Japanese hibachi steakhouse restaurant has a unique house version. You can use this base recipe to change the ratios for the perfect flavor.

    I love that you can use Yum Yum Sauce in many different ways. Below is a list of our favorite uses.

    We had always been buying store-bought Yum Yum Sauce and wanted to see if we could make it ourselves and save money. We made a huge batch that we enjoyed for an entire week.

    Yum Yum Sauce is also known as hibachi sauce, yummy sauce, shrimp sauce, white sauce (even though it isn't white), Japanese Steakhouse Mayo, pink sauce, steakhouse sauce, Japanese vegetable sauce, Japanese seafood sauce, Sakura Sauce, and Japanese steakhouse sauce.

    Wow! There are so many names for this epic sauce. While its names can be confusing since they are everywhere, this sauce takes less than 5 minutes to make and works on many things.

    We keep finding more and more things to put this sauce on. It is a weekly recipe on my menu planning since we love it so much. Between this and fry sauce, I am stocking the fridge full of epic dipping sauces right now, especially with the sheer number of air fryer recipes we have been working on.

    Homemade Yum Yum sauce ingredients, sugar, tomato ketchup, paprika, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and mayonnaise

    What's in Yum Yum Sauce?

    Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients for making an epic Yum Yum Sauce! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

    • Mayonnaise
    • Ketchup
    • Sugar
    • Paprika
    • Apple Cider Vinegar or Rice Vinegar
    • Garlic Powder
    • Waterย 

    Ketchup - If you want a less sweet sauce you can use tomato paste and add in a tiny bit of sugar.

    Mayonnaise - You can use any mayonnaise including Japanese Mayonnaise which has a slightly richer flavor.

    Optional

    To add a bit of heat - add hot sauce or cayenne pepper.

    For a smokier version - add smoked paprika

    For a bit of zing - use sweet chili sauce

    For more flavor - add in a splash of mirin or sherry.

    Equipment Needed

    • Large Mixing Bowl - We are big fans of this glass batter bowl that has a handle. It makes it easy to mix ingredients and keeps the mixing bowl steady on the counter.
    • Whisk
    • Tablespoon/Measuring tools

    How to make Yum Yum Sauce

    I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

    Homemade Yum Yum Sauce ingredients in a bowl prior to mixing

    Whisk ingredients minus the water together until smooth in a medium bowl. Slowly add in more water as needed until you reach your desired consistency.

    We like to keep it thick so it coats what we are dipping.

    Yum Yum Sauce after whisking in a clear glass bowl

    Refrigerate for at least 1 hour so flavors can meld together. The longer it sits, the more the flavors develop.

    Preparation and Storage

    Make Ahead:

    This Yum Yum Sauce is a make-ahead recipe! It tastes best when refrigerated for at least an hour so the flavors can develop.

    Try to make it at least a day before you need it. This will give the flavors time to blend well. So you can experience the famous Japanese steakhouse sauce at home!ย 

    Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them within five days.

    Freezing/How to Freeze:ย 

    We do not suggest freezing this homemade Yum Yum Sauce recipe. It will not be the same when thawed.

    ย 

    Recipe Variations

    Substitutions:

    If you want a less sweet sauce, use tomato paste instead of ketchup and add some sugar.

    You can use any mayonnaise, including Japanese Mayonnaise, which has a slightly richer flavor.

    Vegetarian + Vegan Option:

    This Yum Yum Sauce is vegetarian but not vegan. Vegans can use a vegan mayonnaise to make it suitable for a plant-based diet.

    Gluten-Free:ย 

    This dipping sauce recipe should be gluten-free, but if you are highly sensitive, look for a gluten-free label on each ingredient to avoid cross-contamination.

    Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings:

    The written recipe makes ten servings and adjusts easily to any serving size. Use the slider in the recipe card to get the right amount of each ingredient.

    Make It Spicy: Add hot sauce or cayenne pepper for heat.

    Sugar-Free:ย 

    The written recipe contains 2 grams of sugar per serving. Replace the white sugar with a sugar-free substitute and check that your ketchup has no added sugars to make it sugar-free.

    Air fryer shrimp dipping into a white bowl filled with homemade Yum Yum Sauce

    Tips for the Best Yum Yum Sauce

    • For a smokier version, add smoked paprika.ย 
    • Use sweet chili sauce for some zing.
    • For more flavor, add a splash of mirin or sherry.
    • Be prepared that this may taste different from the version served at your local Japanese hibachi grill restaurant. They will most likely have a unique version.
    • Add this hibachi sauce to a squeeze bottle to get fancy as you spread it over a dish. Squeezing it from a squeeze bottle will give you more control over any designs you want to create on the plate.

    What to Serve with Yum Yum Sauce

    Pair this homemade version of a Japanese hibachi classic with other Chinese-American and Japanese-American classics for an Asian-inspired feast at home! Here are some menu pairing suggestions and cocktails that would go well.

    Sides: Easy Fried Rice, Crock Pot Rice, Air Fryer Cream Cheese Rangoons

    Main Dishes: Orange Chicken and Broccoli, Crock Pot Cashew Chicken, Asian Flank Steak, CrockPot Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps, CrockPot Teriyaki Chicken, CrockPot Beef and Broccoli

    Desserts: Mandarin Orange Jello Salad, Sriracha Caramel Corn, Mandarin Orange Angel Food Cake, 2 Ingredient Coconut Macaroon Cookies, Tropical No-Bake Truffles

    Drinks: Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini, Orange Moscow Mule, Kamikaze Shot, Green Tea Shot, Restorative Basil Drop, Mai Tai

    Air fryer shrimp being dipped into a bowl of homemade Yum Yum Sauce

    When to Serve

    This Japanese Hibachi restaurants sauce is perfect for:

    • Grilled Meats
    • Grilled Chicken
    • Seafood
    • Drizzle on Vegetables
    • Fried Rice and Noodles
    • Sushi
    • Potstickers
    • Smeared on Hamburgers
    • Dipping Sauce for Wontons
    • On Baked Potatoes
    • For Dipping French Fries
    • Vegetable Dip
    • Steak
    • In Pasta Salads
    • Onion Rings
    • In Potato Salads
    • With Rice Balls
    • Tempura
    • Chicken Nuggets
    • Spring Rolls
    • As a Salad Dressing
    • Sweet potato fries
    • Hibachi vegetables
    • Hibachi steak

    ย 

    Yum Yum Sauce in a white bowl surrounded by air fryer shrimp on a white plate

    Great Recipe Collections

    Easy Dip Recipes Perfect for Parties!ย 

    50+ Sour Cream Recipes You Can Make at Home

    60+ Savory Snacks for Any Occasion

    Easy and Quick Side Dishes for Chicken

    30+ Must-Try Side Dishes for Every Burger Loverย 

    Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and CrockPot Recipes.

    Follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for our recipe posts.

    hand holding a shrimp dipping down into a bowl of Yum Yum Sauce

    Yum Yum Sauce

    Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe just like your favorite Japanese Hibachi Restaurant.
    No ratings yet
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Refrigeration: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 163kcal
    Author: Tammilee Tips

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Mayonnaise
    • 2 Tablespoon Ketchup
    • 1 Tablespoon White Sugar
    • ยฝ Tablespoon paprika
    • 2 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
    • 2-3 teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • 1-3 Tablespoon Water

    Instructions

    • Whisk all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.

    Kitchen Tools

    • Whisk

    Notes

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.ย 

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Yum Yum Sauce
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 163 Calories from Fat 153
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 17g26%
    Saturated Fat 3g19%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 9mg3%
    Sodium 170mg7%
    Potassium 29mg1%
    Carbohydrates 3g1%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 2g2%
    Protein 1g2%
    Vitamin A 202IU4%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 4mg0%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    Shrimp dipping into Yum Yum Sauce in a white bowl

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    About Tammilee

    Lifestyle blogger who travels the world and drinks too much Chai tea. Travel blogger, award winning photographer, sunset hunter, Birkenstock girl, bird nerd
    You can find Tammilee on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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