Easy 5-Minute Homemade Yum Yum Sauce (Hibachi Style)

Easy 5-Minute Homemade Yum Yum Sauce (Hibachi Style)

Introduction

Hankering for that deliciously creamy, tangy, and sweet sauce from your go-to Japanese Hibachi restaurant? You know, the one you wish you could take home in the bottle? And now you can make it yourself in under 5 minutes!

This is the real deal Yum Yum Sauce. It’s a great dip for shrimp, to drizzle over fried rice, or to put on a burger. Forget about the stuff you buy in the store—this simple recipe has different way of making a fresh, tasty sauce that everyone will be clamoring for more of. Let's get mixing!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

5-Minute Prep: Just mix all the ingredients in one bowl. It’s the easiest way to elevate any meal!

All Pantry Staple Ingredients: No need to go on a scavenger hunt for special items. You likely have everything you’ll need in your kitchen already, right now.

Totally Customizable: You can control the spice, the sweet and the creaminess to your exact preference.

So Much Better Than Store-Bought: The flavor is fresh and unbeatable, and it’s preservative-free.

What is Yum Yum Sauce?

Yum Yum Sauce: Yum Yum Sauce (also known as White Sauce) is a perennial favorite in Japanese eateries at North American hibachi restaurants and steakhouses. If you ever order a dish at a Japanese hibachi grill, you’ve probably tasted a version of this sauce commonly referred to as “Shrimp Sauce” or “White Sauce.” It's renowned for its distinctive pink color and savory, sweet taste, and is a common grilled-meat, fish, and vegetable topping.

Pro Tips for Success

Don't Skip the Chilling Time! I can't stress this enough. The sauce is fine after mixing, but it tastes amazing after the flavors have had time to mingle in the fridge.

Adjust to Taste: Once completely chilled, taste the sauce once more. Does it need more salt? A little more sugar? A bigger kick of cayenne? There you go, tailor it to your preference.

For a Thinner Sauce: If you prefer your mixture to be more drizzle-able, whisk in another teaspoon of water at a time until you have the texture you like.

Creative Serving Suggestions

This sauce is incredibly versatile. Some of our favorite ways to use it:

As a Dipping Sauce: Great for french fries, onion rings, chicken nuggets, potstickers, and our Crispy Prawn Fritters [<-- Link to your recipe here]

As a Drizzle: It’s great as a drizzle on grilled chicken, steak, Hibachi-style fried rice, or fish tacos.

As a Spread: Slather it on sandwiches, wraps, and burgers in place of plain mayo. It’s a game-changer!

Storage Instructions

Keep your homemade Yum Yum Sauce in an airtight container or a squeezy bottle in the fridge for up to 3 days. It keeps for up to 1 week.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does Yum Yum Sauce taste like Shrimp Sauce? Yes! In fact, in many Japanese steakhouses, it’s called by either name.

Can I substitute ketchup for tomato paste? Yes, you can, but the sauce will be slightly sweeter. If you opt for ketchup, be sure to cut the sugar here by half or so.

Can I make this recipe vegan? Absolutely. Just do so with a great vegan mayonnaise and swap the melted butter for melted vegan butter or a neutral oil.

Notes:

Chill It: Don't skip that chilling step! This is important for the best tasting product.

Mayo Choice: To get the most authentic flavor, use a full-fat Japanese mayonnaise such as Kewpie.

Storage: The relish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Did You Make This Recipe?

I’d love to hear how it worked out! Don’t forget to comment and leave a star rating! I love your feedback and so do other great content readers!

Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste or ketchup (tomato paste is traditional for a richer flavor)
• 1 tablespoon melted butter, cooled
• ¼ cup water (or more for desired consistency)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or sub apple cider vinegar)
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a slight kick)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Mix the base ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, tomato paste (or ketchup), and cooled melted butter until smooth.
2. Whisk in the Water, Rice Vinegar, Sugar, Paprika, Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: You can also try using sugar substitutes until well mixed and the sauce is smooth.
3. Season and Tweak: Taste the sauce and season with a sprinkle of salt, pepper and cayeene pepper (if using). If a thinner sauce is desired, add one more tablespoon of water and whisk.
4. Chill: For optimum flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving. It is to cause flavors to merge, and to do so seamlessly.
5. Serve: Spoon over hibachi chicken, steak, shrimp, grilled vegetables or, for a dip, fried and try to stop eating!