Yum Yum Sauce (Japanese Hibachi Style)

Name: Yum Yum Sauce (Japanese Hibachi Style)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 cup sauce
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 1 cup mayonnaise (preferably Japanese mayo like Kewpie); 1 tablespoon ketchup; 1 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon mirin (see notes); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 2 tablespoons cool water

March 6, 2019 by Beth Pierce 29 Comments

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Yum Yum Sauce is a delectable easy seven ingredient Japanese Steakhouse sauce that comes together in less than five minutes. This delectable sauce is just as tasty as the one you get at those expensive Hibachi Steakhouses at a fraction of the cost.

One of our favorite restaurants is a Japanese Steakhouse about twenty minutes from the house. We love the whole experience from the chef cooking and entertaining us to the delectable fried rice, crispy cooked vegetables and tender juicy chicken. We also have a particular fondness for the Yum Yum Sauce. I just love to dip my shrimp and fried rice in this tasty sauce.

We can’t always go the Steakhouse as much as we would like to. Sometimes it is the weather but most of the time we need to be frugal and watch our budget. You can make this delicious Yum Yum Sauce right in your own kitchen at a fraction of the price of dinner at the Japanese Steakhouse. I love dipping my Sweet Pork Dumplings and Easy Basic Chicken Stir Fry in it! So delicious! You are going to love it! Yum Yum Sauce is at its best after one to two days so a little advance preparation is in order.

What is Yum Yum Sauce?

Yum Yum Sauce also known as White Sauce or Sakura Sauce is a dipping sauce that is commonly found in Japanese steakhouses. It takes about five minutes to prepare and its main ingredient is Japanese mayonnaise but if that is not available you can make it with mayo from your local grocery store. I have had good success with both Hellmanns and Dukes mayonaisse.

How do you make Yum Yum Sauce?

As I said before this is a five minute recipe. Simply grab a bowl and whisk together the mayo, ketchup, rice vinegar, mirin, garlic powder, paprika and water. It takes a few minutes to whisk it all together and get it smooth. Just keep going because it will pull together. Now here is the important part cover and let it sit for a day or two. You can eat it right after you mix it however if you want the flavor to really pop than hold back.

What is Mirin?

Mirin is sweetened sake also know as Japanese sweet rice wine. I am fortunate to have a really high end grocery store about twenty minutes from here. It is on the shelf with the other Asian food products like soy sauce and coconut milk. You can also find it at Japanese grocery stores.

What can I substitute for Mirin?

Sometimes a recipe calls for something that you just can not get your hands on. Mirin may be difficult to find. You can mix one tablespoon of white wine, dry sherry or vermouth with one teaspoon of sugar and that should do the trick.

This Yum Yum Sauce is absolutely scrumptious. It is perfect for dipping shrimp, pot stickers, chicken, and fried rice. Make a batch for your family today and they will be singing your praises.

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