✔ Updated · fixed amounts, step photos and our own video
Yum yum sauce is the creamy, pale pink hibachi sauce from Japanese steakhouses (also called white sauce or Sakura sauce), and I could happily put it on everything. My copycat takes five minutes to whisk together.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Make it the night before. I do, and by morning the garlic and paprika really come through and the raw mayo taste is gone.
Why You'll Love This Sauce
- Five minutes, one bowl, one whisk.
- Hibachi night at home, on rice, shrimp and steak.
- Easy to tweak, sweeter, spicier or thinner.
What Is Yum Yum Sauce?
It's the creamy pink sauce served at Japanese-style hibachi steakhouses across the US, usually with fried rice, shrimp and grilled vegetables. Despite its name, it's an American creation: a mayo base with a little tomato, butter, sweetness and garlic.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Use good mayo. It's 90 percent of the sauce. A full-fat mayo, or Japanese-style mayo for extra richness, makes it taste like the restaurant version.
- Cool the butter. Hot butter can split the mayo. Melt it, then wait a couple of minutes.
- Ketchup works. No tomato paste? Use ketchup and cut the sugar to 1 teaspoon, since ketchup is already sweet.
- Add heat. A pinch of cayenne, a squeeze of sriracha or a little chili paste gives it a kick.
- Use a clean jar. Plastic tubs that held something strong can pass on stains and flavors. I keep a glass jar of it in my fridge door.
- Keep it cold. It's mayo-based, so keep it in the fridge and don't leave it out for more than 2 hours.
Yum Yum Sauce
10
servings (2 tablespoons)5
minutes0
minutes170
kcal1
minuteCopycat Japanese steakhouse yum yum sauce: mayonnaise whisked with tomato paste, melted butter, a little sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and rice vinegar, thinned with water and chilled so the flavors meld. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.
Ingredients
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon tomato paste (or 1 1/2 tablespoons ketchup)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
2 to 3 tablespoons water
pinch of cayenne (optional)
Directions
- Whisk the mayonnaise, tomato paste, melted butter, sugar, rice vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika in a bowl until smooth and pale pink.
- Whisk in the water a tablespoon at a time until it is thin enough to drizzle. Use less water for a thick dip, more for a dressing.
- Spoon into a clean jar, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for the best flavor.
- Stir before serving with hibachi fried rice, shrimp, steak, chicken or vegetables. Keep it refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Recipe Video
Notes
- I always recommend Hellman’s or Duke’s mayonnaise as they have a great taste and consistency, perfect for making mayo-based sauces.
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What to Serve It With
- Hibachi dinners: fried rice, shrimp, steak, chicken and zucchini.
- Sushi: drizzle it on rolls instead of plain mayo.
- Dipping sauce: for fried shrimp, fries, chicken tenders and veggie sticks.
- Salad dressing: thin it with a little more water and rice vinegar.
- Burgers and bowls: a spoonful on burgers, rice bowls and wraps.
More Sauces and Hibachi Night
Make it a full hibachi night with my hibachi fried rice and a dynamite sushi roll. For more dipping sauces, try my Chick-fil-A sauce, gyoza dipping sauce or copycat McDonald's dipping sauces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is yum yum sauce made of?
It's mostly mayonnaise, mixed with tomato paste or ketchup, melted butter, a little sugar, garlic powder, paprika and sometimes rice vinegar, thinned with water. It's sweet, tangy and creamy, and pale pink in color.
How do you make yum yum sauce?
Whisk 1 cup mayo with 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon melted butter, 2 teaspoons sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and a teaspoon of rice vinegar. Thin with 2 to 3 tablespoons water and chill for at least an hour.
Is yum yum sauce the same as Sakura sauce or white sauce?
Yes, they're different names for the same style of creamy, mayo-based hibachi sauce served at Japanese steakhouses in the US. Recipes vary a little from restaurant to restaurant.
How long does yum yum sauce last?
Homemade yum yum sauce keeps for up to 1 week in a sealed jar in the fridge. Stir before using. Don't leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
What do you eat yum yum sauce with?
Hibachi fried rice, grilled shrimp, steak, chicken and vegetables are the classics. It's also great on sushi rolls, burgers, fries, rice bowls and as a dip for fried shrimp.
