Let's make some homemade Yum Yum Sauce (aka Hibachi sauce), just like they serve at your favorite Japanese Steakhouse. The popular pink sauce recipe is easy to make and it is tastier than store bought versions of hibachi Japanese steakhouse sauce.
Use as a dipping sauce for meats, sushi and appetizers or pour Yum Yum sauce over your fried rice or noodles... so good! It's even great as a hamburger condiment.
Yum Yum Sauce
This mayonnaise based sauce is often served in Japanese hibachi restaurants as a dipping sauce for shrimp or drizzled on fried rice or grilled meats. It is somewhat similar to fry sauce, but Yum Yum sauce does not contain mustard. I personally prefer to use it mostly as a shrimp sauce or for dipping fresh vegetables in.
Japanese restaurants also use Yum Yum sauce as a salad dressing. As you can see the sauce is very versatile. While not traditional uses, the Japanese steakhouse sauce would work well as a sandwich spread or dressing for shrimp or chicken salad too. The consistency is not as thick as most mayonnaise, but is not thin by any means.
Try dunking some battered chicken planks in the sauce or topping stir fried veggies or seafood... yummy!
My version of the Japanese hibachi sauce does not include hot sauce, since my daughter isn't a fan of spicy foods. Feel feel to add a splash or two when mixing your batch though. It is a tasty addition.
How to Make Yum Yum Sauce
Yum Yum Sauce is so easy to make seasoned mayonnaise tomato based sauce. Don't buy it bottled, what you need to make it is probably already in your pantry. Printable recipe card below. Also see below for a low carb version for those on the Keto diet.
The recipe yields 30 tablespoon servings.
Yum Yum Sauce Ingredients
The ingredients you will need to make homemade Yum Yum sauce: mayonnaise, ketchup* (tomato paste), sugar*(erythritrol), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika** and cayenne pepper. Some also like to add 1 tablespoon melted butter stirred into the sauce.
*The ketchup and sugar are only items you will need to swap to make Keto Yum Yum sauce. Substitutions are in parentheses.
** smoked paprika is a nice swap, especially to serve with vegetarian dishes
Instructions:
Scoop mayo into a medium mixing bowl.
Add the spices and mix well, with a spoon or whisk.
Now add the sugar or erythritrol to the mayo mixture.
Mix in the ketchup or tomato paste next. It is best to refrigerate the sauce a few hours before using, but you can serve it right away if you need to.
As it is known as a seafood sauce, it is not surprising it's a great dip for my baked Popcorn Shrimp.
Don't ignore the french fries or veggies though, the sauce is delicious on those as well.
Keto Yum Yum Sauce
Substitute tomato paste for the ketchup and erythritrol for the sugar in the recipe below. Measurements will remain the same. The Keto version has less than a half gram of carbohydrate per tablespoon (about 0.4 grams), yet still has the great flavor you expect.
The sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container, such as a mason jar.
Make this famous Japanese steakhouse sauce like they serve at the hibachi grills yourself and skip artificial flavor of store bought knock offs.
Yum Yum Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup (use tomato paste in keto version)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (use erythritrol for keto/diabetic)
- ½ teaspoon paprika regular or smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Refrigerate a few hours to let flavors meld together (can be used immediately, if need be). Always store in refrigerator and use within a week.
Andie Thueson says
I love dipping sauces and this one looks delish! Living in Utah it resembles our beloved fry sauce but love the addition of the spices!
Renee Goerger says
Yum, yum is right! I could eat this sauce on just about anything!
Genie Fryman says
This was my first time making Yum Yum Sauce. I made the regular version and we loved it. I'll try the keto one next time. We aren't on that diet, but it just looks healthier so worth trying.
Sharon says
Are the Keto substitutions an equal amount as the original?
Robin Gagnon says
Yes, the the tomato paste is a direct swap and erythritrol would be an even swap.
If you used another sweetener that may vary unless it is also measure for measure.
Kailyn says
I'm not sure how you get zero or 1 carb. Tomatoes have natural sugar in it so there would be 12g with the tomato paste for the whole batch.
Robin Gagnon says
Nutrition calculators and industry round off and this is under a 1/2 gram of carbs per serving. I did mention there are trace amounts, but calculates at zero. I do agree that with the strictness of carb counts for keto that is probably not adequate and am updating the information to make it more clear. Thank you.
Emily says
What's a serving size? 1 Tbsp?
Robin Gagnon says
Yes one tablespoon. If you are counting carbs and use it in a recipe or something there are about 1.6 net grams in a 1/4 cup of the keto version.
Erica Schwarz says
We love your yum yum sauce! So easy to make, and I appreciate the keto variation.
Brandy says
So much better than store bought! Thank you for the recipe!
Jane Hiller says
I Get tons of compliments on this fresh japanese pink sauce. I serve it as an alternative to cocktail sauce with shrimp.
Robin Gagnon says
I love yum yum sauce with most anything!
Kenneth Waterman says
The hibachi sauce was fantastic! Just like the one at the steakhouse.
Jane says
Made it last night it was excellent
Susie tyler says
There is sugar in mayonnaise, so it isn’t keto
Robin Gagnon says
Most mayos do have a tiny amount of sugar in them, but are generally accepted as keto friendly. Hellmann's (pictured in the recipe), has less than a 1/2 gram since the label reads zero carbs. I use Sir Kensington's Avocado Oil Mayonnaise quite often which does not contain any sugar at all.