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    Home » Cuisine » Asian

    Yum Yum Sauce Recipe - Try it And You'll Understand the Name

    Published: Oct 4, 2021 · Modified: Jun 20, 2023 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    Creamy, sweet, tangy, and salty Yum Yum Sauce is a delicious condiment that instantly bumps up the flavor of whatever you put it on! It’s one of the most popular hibachi sauces at Japanese teppanyaki restaurants, and it’s commonly eaten on fried rice and grilled meat.

    japanese yum yum sauce

    If you’ve ever been to a Japanese hibachi restaurant, you’ve probably tried Yum Yum Sauce. It’s definitely a fan favorite hibachi sauce!

    Japanese teppanyaki restaurants (what we typically refer to as hibachi restaurants here in the U.S.) are so much fun. Everyone sits around three sides of a rectangular table. On the fourth side of the table is an iron griddle where the chef makes your meal right in front of you.

    But delicious food is only half the fun of teppanyaki!

    yakimeshi with yum yum sauce

    The chef makes the cooking of the meal itself into a show. They will typically do tricks like toss ingredients, make a stack of onion rings and light it on fire to look like a volcano, and fancy handwork involving cracking eggs, chopping vegetables, and spraying oil and sauces.

    Of course each chef has their own unique skills, so each show is one-of-a-kind. It’s a blast.

    There are a few different types of hibachi sauce that bear noting. There’s a thin tangy ginger sauce, a thicker sweet and salty tonkatsu brown sauce, and another sauce that goes by a few different names: Yum Yum Sauce!

    You can also find this called Japanese white sauce (which is a little confusing because it’s actually a pale pink/orange color), Japanese hibachi sauce, Japanese steakhouse sauce, shrimp sauce, sakura sauce, and yummy sauce.

    Call it whatever you want, but I like the term Yum Yum Sauce because as silly as it sounds, it really is fitting.

    japanese yum yum sauce recipe with graphic

    In This Article

    • The Best Yum Yum Sauce Recipe
    • Yum Yum Sauce FAQs
    • More Delicious Sauce Recipes to Make
    • Yum Yum Sauce

    The Best Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

    Most recipes you’ll find for this mayo-based sauce are a little different. You can play with the ingredient amounts to come up with something that suits your personal tastes.

    I like to include garlic, ginger, and white pepper for a kick. And if you really want to level up, use fresh garlic and ginger!

    Yum Yum Sauce Ingredients

    • Mayo (use Japanese mayo if possible)
    • Sambal oelek
    • Ketchup
    • Rice vinegar
    • Soy sauce
    • Honey (or sugar)
    • Toasted sesame oil
    • Garlic powder
    • Dried ginger
    • White pepper
    • Sweet paprika

    How to Make White Hibachi Sauce

    This sauce is very easy to make. Just stir together all ingredients and it’s done!

    yum yum sauce recipe

    How to Store Yum Yum Sauce

    Store this sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

    Variations on This Recipe

    • Instead of ketchup, use 2 tablespoons tomato paste.
    • For a richer flavor, add 1 tablespoon melted butter.
    • If you like a completely smooth sauce, omit the sambal oelek and add up to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
    • To reduce the salt, use low sodium soy sauce or omit the soy sauce.
    • For sweet flavor without floral notes, omit the honey and add sugar to taste, starting with 1 teaspoon.
    • To bump up the flavor even more, omit the garlic powder and dried ginger. Add 2 cloves crushed garlic and 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger.
    japanese hibachi style yum yum sauce graphic

    Yum Yum Sauce FAQs

    What is Yum Yum Sauce Made Of?

    This is a mayo-based sauce with a few other ingredients to create a balanced flavor profile. Many recipes include a sweet ingredient (such as sugar or honey), rice vinegar for tanginess, cayenne pepper or hot sauce for spicy heat, and ketchup or tomato paste for color.

    What Does Yum Yum Sauce Taste Like?

    This rich and creamy mayo-based sauce is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and salty flavors with a touch of spicy heat. It really packs a punch of flavor! I like to add garlic, ginger, and white pepper for depth.

    Is Yum Yum Sauce Actually Japanese?

    No; according to NPR, Yum Yum Sauce is an American condiment.

    japanese fried rice on plate

    What Do You Use Yum Yum Sauce For?

    This popular Hibachi sauce will add a punch of flavor to whatever you pair it with! Here are a few ways to use it:

    • Drizzled on fried rice and noodles (I hope it's not completely faux pas, but I'm dying to try it on Thai Noodles)
    • Along with grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp
    • As a decorative drizzle or dip for dumplings, eggrolls, spring rolls, or sushi rolls
    • Dolloped on top of Egg Roll in a Bowl
    • As a dip for raw vegetables, such as bell pepper, broccoli, and cucumber
    • Or use it instead of ketchup as a dipping sauce for French fries or onion rings
    • Enjoy it any way you’d eat mayo, including as a condiment for sandwiches and burgers
    top view of yum yum sauce in white bowl

    More Delicious Sauce Recipes to Make

    • Toum (Middle Eastern Garlic Sauce Recipe)
    • Homemade Chick-Fil-A Sauce Copycat
    • Pesto Sauce Recipe
    • Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
    yum yum sauce in white bowl on white table

    Let's Connect

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.

    To stay up-to-date, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!

    yum yum sauce featured image

    Yum Yum Sauce

    By: Faith Gorsky
    Creamy, sweet, tangy, and salty Yum Yum Sauce is a delicious condiment that instantly bumps up the flavor of whatever you put it on! It’s one of the most popular hibachi sauces at Japanese teppanyaki restaurants, and it’s commonly eaten on fried rice and grilled meat.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Condiments
    Cuisine American Japanese
    Servings 24 servings
    Calories 70 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup mayo
    • 2 tablespoons sambal oelek
    • 2 tablespoons ketchup
    • 1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari sauce
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • ½ tablespoon toasted sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika

    Instructions
     

    • Stir together all ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until using.

    Faith's Tips

    • Net Carbs: 1g per serving (2 tablespoons)
    • Recipe Yield and Serving Size: This recipe makes about 1 ½ cups for a total of 24 (2-tablespoon) servings.
    • Gluten Free Version: Use tamari sauce instead of soy sauce to make this gluten free.
    • Look for Japanese Mayo: Use Japanese mayo if you can find it.
    • Ketchup Substitute: Instead of ketchup, use 2 tablespoons tomato paste.
    • Richer Flavor: For a richer flavor, add 1 tablespoon melted butter.
    • For a Smooth Sauce: If you like a completely smooth sauce, omit the sambal oelek and add up to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
    • To Lower the Salt: To reduce the salt, use low sodium soy sauce or omit the soy sauce.
    • Honey Substitute: For sweet flavor without floral notes, omit the honey and add sugar to taste, starting with 1 teaspoon.
    • Fresh Garlic and Ginger: To bump up the flavor even more, omit the garlic powder and dried ginger. Add 2 cloves crushed garlic and 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger.
    • Storage: Store Yum Yum Sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Yum Yum Sauce
    Amount Per Serving (2 tablespoons)
    Calories 70 Calories from Fat 63
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 7g11%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
    Monounsaturated Fat 2g
    Cholesterol 4mg1%
    Sodium 182mg8%
    Potassium 10mg0%
    Carbohydrates 2g1%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 1g1%
    Protein 1g2%
    Vitamin A 23IU0%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 1mg0%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword Japanese Hibachi Sauce, Japanese White Sauce, White Hibachi Sauce, Yum Yum Sauce
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
    yum yum sauce recipe pin

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Betsy says

      October 18, 2021 at 9:56 am

      5 stars
      This is always the sauce I wind up asking for refills on in Japanese restaurants! Thank you for replicating it! I can’t wait to make it!

      Reply

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