Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (2024)

Home » Recipes » Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

by Mike Hultquist · · 14 Comments · Jump to Recipe

This yum yum sauce recipe is just like the one you'll find in Japanese Hibachi restaurants, made with mayo, tomato paste, cayenne and paprika. My version has a bit more kick to it.

Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (1)

Easy Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

I had a bit of a chuckle at a local Japanese hibachi steakhouse years ago when I discovered the name for their thick pink dipping sauce was called "Yum Yum Sauce".

It sounded like a joke, like a made up name because someone didn't know what to call it.

Nope. That's the name! It's great stuff, a tangy, slightly addictive dipper, great for coating shrimp or scallops, veggies, even bites of steak fresh off the grill.

Patty likes it on some of her favorite sushi rolls.

It's creamy and tangy with just a hint of spiciness, so I'm bringing the recipe to you, my chilihead friends. We're talking Homemade Yum Yum Sauce, and it's so much better than store bought hibachi sauce.

Let's discuss.

Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (2)

What is Yum Yum Sauce?

Yum Yum Sauce is a mayonnaise-based sauce popular in Japanesesteakhouse or Hibachi restaurants. It is made primarily with mayonnaise, tomato paste and paprika, along with a few other flavor building ingredients.

It is usually served on the side and popular with steak, seafood, rice or vegetables.

It's a super versatile sauce, used to add flavor to just about anything, especially fresh off the hibachi grill. It is sometimes called sakura sauce.

Yum Yum sauce is incredibly easy to make at home by whisking a few ingredients together, then tasting and adjusting to your preference.

Below is the base recipe, but in the recipe notes & tips section, I'll discuss how you can adjust to make it your own, and how you can make a nice and spicy version.

That's how I like it!

Let's talk about how to make yum yum sauce, shall we?

Yum Yum Sauce Ingredients

  • Mayonnaise. Mayo is the base for a good yum yum sauce, so choose your favorite brand. It will affect the final flavor. I personally prefer to use a good Japanese mayo, which is more yolk based. It's quite rich, but worth it. Use 1-1/4 cup mayonnaise for this recipe.
  • Melted Butter. This adds a bit more richness and flavor. I use 1 tablespoon.
  • Tomato Paste. Many recipes call for tomato paste, and it works great. Use 1 teaspoon. However, if you're looking for a spicier version, try the recipe with sriracha or even gochujang. I make mine with 1 tablespoon spicy sriracha and I love it.
  • Honey. This adds a touch of sweetness. As an alternative, try agave nectar or white sugar. I use 1 teaspoon honey.
  • The Seasonings. I like mine spicy, so I use 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon paprika, along with 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Adjust to your personal tastes. Smoked paprika adds a nice quality to the sauce. Skip the cayenne for a milder version, or go with a hotter chili powder for a spicier version.
  • Water. For thinning. I used about 2 tablespoons.
  • Hot Sauce. Optional, for a spicier version. I'll add in a dash or two, especially if I'm using tomato paste. I like the vinegary touch. You can also use rice vinegar for that particular pop of flavor for a milder version.

How to Make Yum Yum Sauce

Whisk together mayo, melted butter, tomato paste or sriracha, honey, cayenne powder, paprika, garlic powder and a bit of hot sauce, if desired, in a bowl. You can also use a food processor or blender.

Test for thickness and give it a taste.

Adjust with more tomato paste (or sriracha or gochujang), hot sauce and seasonings to your preference.

For a thinner sauce, add water a tablespoon as a time then whisk to your desired consistency.

Boom! Done! It's so easy, isn't it? Did you even realize how simple yum yum sauce is? Yep. Such an easy recipe.

Easy, but big on flavor. This will make you about 1.5 cups or so.

Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (3)

Recipe Notes & Tips

  • Use Good Quality Mayonnaise. Use a good Japanese mayo for a superior yum yum sauce, though any mayonnaise will work for this recipe.
  • Taste, Adjust, Repeat. Not all yum yum sauces are equal. Everyone makes theirs a bit differently. I've seen complaints on other recipes because people didn't adjust to their own preference. If you feel it tastes too much like mayo, add more tomato paste, cayenne and paprika. Try more hot sauce. Need more garlic? Go for it! Onion powder? Sure thing! I like to use extra sriracha in mine. Taste, adjust, repeat! Make it how you like it.
  • Tomato Paste Alternatives. As mentioned, most base yum yum sauce recipes call for tomato paste, but some good alternatives include sriracha, gochujang, chili-garlic paste, and even ketchup. Try them all.

How to Use Yum Yum Sauce

Yum Yum sauce is a great dipper for anything fried or stir fried, particularly as a fried shrimp sauce.

In the Japanese steak house restaurants, it's served with everything. Dip your steak into it, or smear it onto your steak or other grilled meats.

Mix some into your fried rice for a tangy flavor pop. You can even use it as a salad dressing or as a dip for French fries.

Storage

Store yum yum sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It will last a week or longer.

I do not recommend freezing because of the mayo content.

That's it, my friends. Yum Yum sauce! Just how you like it. I hope you enjoy it!

Try Some of My Other Popular Sauce Recipes

  • Tartar Sauce
  • Sriracha Aioli
  • Chipotle Aioli
  • Bang Bang Sauce
  • Fry Sauce
  • Aji Amarillo Sauce
  • Creamy Sriracha Mayo
  • Cajun Remoulade Sauce
  • Creamy Fish Taco Sauce
  • Comeback Sauce
  • White BBQ Sauce (aka Alabama White Sauce)
  • Homemade Mumbo Sauce
Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (4)

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this yummy sauce, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (5)

Print

Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

This yum yum sauce recipe is just like the one you'll find in Japanese Hibachi restaurants, made with mayo, tomato paste, cayenne and paprika. My version has a bit more kick to it.

Save Recipe

Course: Main Course, sauce

Cuisine: American, Japanese

Keyword: mayonnaise, sauce, sriracha

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes

Calories: 22kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings: 24 tablespoons

Tap or hover to scale

5 from 4 votes

Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 cup mayonnaise use Japanese mayo, if possible, but your favorite brand will do
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste or use sriracha or gochujang for spicier versions - I make mine with 1 tablespoon spicy sriracha
  • 1 teaspoon honey or use agave, or sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons water or as needed for thinning
  • Dash of hot sauce for a spicy version, if using tomato paste

Instructions

  • Whisk together all of the ingredients except for the water in a small bowl. Test for thickness and give it a taste.

  • Adjust with more tomato paste (or sriracha or gochujang) and seasonings to your preference.

  • For a thinner sauce, add water a tablespoon as a time then whisk to your preferred consistency.

Video

Notes

Makes about 1.5 cups (24 tablespoons)

NOTES: Use a good Japanese mayo if possible, but any mayonnaise will work for this recipe. Use your favorite. If you feel it tastes too much like mayo, add more tomato paste, cayenne and paprika to your taste preference. I like to use extra sriracha in mine.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 22kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 21mgPotassium: 8mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 94IUVitamin C: 1mgIron: 1mg

Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (6)

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 7/7/23 to include new information. It was originally published on 1/3/20.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Ashley says

    Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (7)
    only used 1/2 cup mayo and thought it was a delicious and punchy sauce. thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Mike Hultquist says

      Thanks, Ashley!

      Reply

  2. Jesse-Gabriel says

    Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (8)
    Auch sehr lecker mit einer veganen Mayonnaise Alternative.
    So können diese leckere Sauce alle genießen.
    Grüße,
    Jesse-Gabriel

    Reply

    • Mike Hultquist says

      Translated to English: "Also very tasty with a vegan mayonnaise alternative.
      So everyone can enjoy this delicious sauce" --- Thanks!! Enjoy!!

      Reply

  3. Sean says

    Will deffo be making this sauce cheers.

    Reply

    • Mike Hultquist says

      Enjoy, Sean!

      Reply

  4. MadMary says

    Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (9)
    Really great sauce! And I concur with Rachel- finally a tasty sauce that tastes like more than mayonnaise.

    Reply

    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      Thanks, MadMary! Yeah, this is the THE ONE! I love it.

      Reply

  5. Rachel says

    Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (10)
    Finally a Yum Yum sauce that tastes great and not just like mayo! I added the full tablespoon of Sriracha (added no tomato paste) and that made all the difference. Still mild enough my toddler eats it with no issue. Thank you for the great recipe!

    Reply

    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      Great, Rachel! I'm happy you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  6. Pam Madziarz says

    Hi Mike
    I have tried this recipe with regular mayo, it is awesome! I have also tried a couple of Japanese mayos but not found a good one yet. Can you recommend a good one?
    Thanks! Happy New Year!
    Pam

    Reply

    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      Great, Pam! Glad you enjoyed it. A buddy of mine swears by Kewpie Mayo. He LOVES it. Very rich.

      Reply

  7. Katerina says

    I have always wondered what is in that sauce and what it was called! Now I know. Thanks so much for sharing, Mike. I expect I might need to turn the spice factor down a bit but looking forward to making this at home. Happy New Year!

    Reply

    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      I hope you enjoy it, Katerina! Happy New Year!

      Reply

Yum Yum Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the yum yum sauce made of? ›

Yum Yum Sauce is made of mayonnaise, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, sugar, paprika and water to thin the sauce out. That's it! It's really just a matter of the right ratios of ingredients to get the flavor you want!

What are the ingredients in Yumm sauce? ›

Ingredients: Canola Oil, Water, Almonds, Nutritional Yeast (Dried Yeast, Vitamins [B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, B-9 and B-12]), Garbanzo Beans, Soy Lecithin, Lemon Juice, Ascorbic Acid, Soybeans, Salt, Garlic, Herbs.

Is yum yum sauce just sriracha mayo? ›

Both spicy mayo and yum yum sauce have a mayonnaise base, but spicy mayo packs a lot more heat than yum yum sauce. Most spicy mayo is made with just two ingredients like the one I share here. Yum yum sauce is sweeter and less spicy as it uses ketchup or tomato paste, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and a little hot sauce.

What does Chinese yum yum sauce taste like? ›

An all-purpose sauce for everyday pleasure, yum yum sauce should taste balanced with savoriness, sweetness and a touch of acid and gosoham, the Korean word often used to describe the nuttiness of sesame oil.

What is Yum Yum Sauce actually called? ›

Yum Yum Sauce (also known as White Sauce, Sakura Sauce, or Japanese Steakhouse Shrimp Sauce) has been commonly found in Japanese steakhouses for years. More recently, people have started to notice this sauce appearing in sushi restaurants as well.

Why is Yumm sauce so good? ›

With an umami flavor described as tangy and savory, Yumm! Sauce is made with a base of healthful ingredients like almonds, garbanzo beans, garlic, and lemon juice.

Is Yum Yum sauce the same as mayo? ›

Kind of. It is a mayo-based sauce but spicy mayo is usually just mayo and sriracha. Yum yum sauce includes more spices and flavorings.

Does Yum Yum sauce have raw egg? ›

INGREDIENTS: MAYONNAISE (soybean oil, distilled vinegar, egg yolk, high fructose corn syrup, contains less than 2% of salt, water, mustard seed, calcium disodium edta (to protect flavor.)

Why does my Yum Yum sauce taste like mayo? ›

Yum Yum Sauce is a mayonnaise-based sauce popular in Japanese steakhouse or Hibachi restaurants. It is made primarily with mayonnaise, tomato paste and paprika, along with a few other flavor building ingredients.

Is Yum Yum sauce Japanese or American? ›

WHERE DID YUM YUM SAUCE ORIGINATE? The fan-favorite sauce is an American original started by US-based hibachi restaurants. It is not an authentic Japanese condiment. If you were dining in Japan, you simply wouldn't find yum yum sauce on any menus.

What sauce do they cook hibachi in? ›

Yum yum sauce is most often used for Japanese steakhouse style recipes like Hibachi Veggies, Hibachi Fried Rice, and Hibachi Steak. But there are plenty of other ways to use this delicious sauce! Try it as a dip for cold veggies like carrots, celery, and snap peas (<<my personal fav).

What brand is best Yum Yum Sauce? ›

It's only fitting that Terry Ho's is the best yum yum sauce brand you can buy; Terry invented yum yum sauce for his chain of Hibachi Express restaurants. It became so popular that he started bottling it in 2012. It's the perfect amount of sweet and tangy (almost like a deviled egg) and it is so thick and creamy.

What's the difference between boom boom sauce and Yum Yum Sauce? ›

Is Boom Boom Sauce similar to Yum Yum Sauce? No, while some of the ingredients are similar, the difference is that boom boom sauce is spicier, because of chili sauce. Also yum yum sauce has a sweet taste because of sugar.

Is Thousand Island and Yum Yum Sauce the same? ›

Homemade Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

The combination of Japanese mayonnaise and ketchup is reminiscent of the thousand island dressing. But instead of pickle relish that is usually present in the thousand island dressing, this one has mirin and rice vinegar.

Where is Yum Yum sauce made? ›

In August 2021, Ho finished construction on a $12 million manufacturing plant in Tifton, Georgia, that will allow him to meet rising demand for his sauces, which now include, in addition to the original Yum Yum, a ranch version, a spicy take, a light option (now on public school menus in Georgia, Florida, and South ...

What is hibachi yum yum? ›

Yum Yum Sauce is a super creamy dipping sauce popularly served at Japanese steakhouses. With our easy recipe, you can make your favorite hibachi dipping sauce at home!

What is the sauce they use for hibachi? ›

Teriyaki Sauce: No hibachi experience would be complete without the classic Teriyaki Sauce. With its savory and slightly sweet profile, this sauce enhances the natural flavors of grilled meats. Try making your own homemade version for an extra special touch.

Why is it called a Yum Yum? ›

The 'fried cakes' were brought to Scotland where they were greeted enthusiastically and named 'Yum Yums' as a result.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 6106

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.