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Our family loves going out for hibachi, but with a large family, taking everyone to a Japanese steakhouse gets expensive pretty quickly. Honestly, that’s one of the reasons I’ve learned to make so many of our favorite restaurant meals at home. We can still have the foods everyone loves for a fraction of the cost!
A good homemade hibachi dinner needs a good homemade Yum Yum Sauce, and this is the recipe I’ve been making for years! It’s the creamy, Japanese steakhouse sauce we like with hibachi chicken, vegetables, a simple lettuce & carrot salad, and especially fried rice. I’m working on getting our whole at-home hibachi dinner onto the site, including my Chicken Hibachi and Hibachi Fried Rice recipes. The fried rice starts with cooked rice, so you can also use my Fluffy Steamed White Rice to get a head start.
Making the chicken, fried rice, vegetables, and Yum Yum Sauce at home takes a little more work than sitting down at the hibachi table, but when you’re feeding a big family, the savings make it worth it—and we can make plenty for everyone!
You can also browse my Sauce & Condiment Recipes for more homemade sauces and dips.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It tastes like Japanese steakhouse sauce. Creamy, slightly sweet, tangy, and seasoned without any one flavor overpowering the others.
- It takes just a few minutes to make. Everything gets whisked together in one bowl.
- It’s perfect for homemade hibachi. Serve it with hibachi chicken, steak, shrimp, fried rice, or sautéed vegetables.
- It’s a great make-ahead sauce. In fact, it tastes better after it has had time to chill.
- You can adjust the consistency. Make it a little thicker for dipping or add more water for a thinner, drizzle-friendly hibachi sauce.
- It uses simple ingredients. Most of the ingredients are pantry or refrigerator staples, with mirin and rice vinegar adding that little something extra.
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Butter
- Mirin
- Rice vinegar
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Granulated sugar
- Water
- Hot sauce or cayenne pepper, optional
- Smoked paprika, optional
The mayonnaise creates the creamy base of the sauce, while a small amount of ketchup adds color, sweetness, and a little acidity.
Mirin and rice vinegar are both important here. The mirin adds mild sweetness and depth, while the rice vinegar gives the sauce enough tang to balance the richness of the mayonnaise and butter.
Paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder season the sauce without changing its smooth texture, and granulated sugar gives it the subtle sweetness you expect from Japanese steakhouse Yum Yum Sauce.
The water isn’t really there for flavor—it lets you control the consistency. Start with less and add more until the sauce is as thick or thin as you like it.
Equipment
You don’t need anything complicated to make homemade Yum Yum Sauce.
- Small mixing bowl: Choose one with enough room to whisk without splattering sauce over the sides.
- Small whisk: A small kitchen whisk makes it easy to get the mayonnaise and other ingredients completely smooth.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Since the seasonings make a difference in a sauce this simple, measuring rather than eyeballing is worthwhile.
- Airtight container or mason jar: A small glass jar is convenient because you can mix the sauce ahead of time, cover it, and keep it refrigerated until dinner.
How to Make Homemade Yum Yum Sauce
The actual mixing takes almost no time, but there are a couple of things that make a difference in how this sauce turns out.
Start by putting the mayonnaise in a bowl along with the ketchup, melted butter, mirin, rice vinegar, sugar, and seasonings. The butter should be melted but doesn’t need to be piping hot. Whisk everything thoroughly rather than stopping as soon as the ingredients look combined. You want the seasonings evenly distributed and the sauce completely smooth.
Once everything is incorporated, take a look at the consistency before adding all of the water. Yum Yum Sauce should be creamy enough to cling to a piece of chicken or a vegetable but loose enough that you can drizzle it over fried rice. Add the water gradually so you don’t accidentally make it thinner than you want. Remember that you can always add more, but you can’t take it back out.
The most important part actually happens after you’ve finished mixing: give the sauce time to rest in the refrigerator.
You can technically taste it immediately, but it won’t taste quite the same. Chilling gives the garlic, onion, paprika, vinegar, and mirin time to settle into the mayonnaise base. I recommend giving it at least a couple of hours, but making it the night before is even better.
Once chilled, give the sauce another quick stir before serving. Use it as a dipping sauce or drizzle it right over your hibachi chicken & vegetables, and fried rice.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
PrintHomemade Yum Yum Sauce (Japanese Steakhouse Sauce)
This homemade Yum Yum Sauce is creamy, slightly sweet, and just like the sauce served at Japanese steakhouses. It’s an easy make-ahead hibachi sauce for chicken, steak, shrimp, fried rice, and vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Chill Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: about 1¼ cups (Servings: 20)
- Category: Condiment, Condiments, Sauces
- Method: Mixing, No Cook
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons water, as needed for desired consistency
- Optional: a few splashes of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper, for heat
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, ketchup, melted butter, mirin, rice vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and granulated sugar to a small bowl.
- Whisk until completely combined and smooth.
- Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking until the Yum Yum Sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. For the best flavor, refrigerate overnight.
- Stir before serving and enjoy with hibachi-style chicken, steak, shrimp, fried rice, or vegetables.
Notes
- Don’t skip the chill time. The sauce tastes better after the flavors have had time to blend.
- Start with 1 tablespoon of water. Add the second tablespoon only if you prefer a thinner, more pourable Japanese steakhouse-style sauce.
- For a little heat, add a few splashes of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- For a slightly smoky variation, add a small pinch of smoked paprika.
- Store leftover Yum Yum Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Recipes That Pair Well With This
Yum Yum Sauce is made for a hibachi-style meal, but it works with plenty of other easy dinners and sides, too.
- Hibachi Chicken— (coming soon): This is the meal I especially wanted this sauce on the site for. Chicken, sautéed vegetables, fried rice, and Yum Yum Sauce make the full Japanese steakhouse-style dinner at home.
- Hibachi Egg Fried Rice: A spoonful of Yum Yum Sauce over homemade fried rice is one of my favorite ways to serve it.
- Fluffy Steamed White Rice — Make the rice ahead of time when you’re planning fried rice, or serve the white rice as-is with chicken and vegetables.
- Juicy Garlic Herb Chicken Breasts — A simple chicken dinner that also works well with a creamy dipping sauce on the side.
- Garlic Butter Rice — An easy rice side when you don’t want to make fried rice.
- Easy Seasoned Rice — Another simple side dish that works with grilled or skillet chicken and vegetables.
For more meal inspiration, browse my Easy Dinner Recipes and Side Dish Recipes.
More Recipes to Try
Making sauces at home is one of those little things that can completely change an otherwise simple dinner. Once you have a few favorites, they’re easy to keep in rotation.
- Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce — A creamy, tangy copycat dipping sauce that’s especially good with chicken.
- Copycat Raising Cane’s Sauce — Another easy homemade dipping sauce for chicken and fries.
- Baja Chipotle Sauce — Creamy with a smoky chipotle flavor and a little more kick.
- Southwest Chicken Sandwich – A spicy classic on ciabatta bread.
- Homemade Pizza Sauce — An easy no-cook sauce to keep on hand for homemade pizza nights.
- Homemade Marinara Sauce — A simple homemade red sauce with fresh basil.
You can find all of these and more in my Sauce & Condiment Recipes.
Tips for Little Helpers
This is an especially easy recipe for kids to help with because there’s no stovetop cooking involved once the butter is melted.
Little helpers can measure the mayonnaise, ketchup, sugar, and seasonings into the bowl and then whisk everything together. The transformation from separate ingredients into that familiar creamy Yum Yum Sauce is also fun to watch.
Older kids can practice measuring the smaller amounts of seasonings and adding the water gradually while learning why it’s better to add a little at a time.
Just make sure an adult handles the hot melted butter.
Tips for Success
Give it time to chill.
This is probably the biggest difference between Yum Yum Sauce that’s just okay and sauce that tastes like it should. Give it at least a couple of hours in the refrigerator. Overnight is even better.
Add the water gradually.
Start with less. You can always thin the sauce more after you see the consistency.
Whisk it thoroughly.
You don’t want pockets of seasoning or streaks of ketchup. The finished sauce should look completely smooth and evenly colored.
Don’t substitute regular vinegar without expecting a flavor change.
Rice vinegar is milder than standard white vinegar and works particularly well in this sauce.
Taste it after chilling.
The flavor changes as it rests, so wait until the sauce has chilled before deciding it needs more seasoning.
Make it before you start dinner.
Since the sauce benefits from resting, it’s an easy thing to knock out earlier in the day—or even the night before—so it’s ready when your hibachi dinner is finished.
FAQs
What is Yum Yum Sauce?
Yum Yum Sauce is a creamy, mayonnaise-based dipping sauce commonly associated with Japanese steakhouses in the United States. It’s mildly sweet and tangy with garlic, onion, and paprika. You’ll also hear it referred to as Japanese steakhouse sauce or hibachi sauce.
Is Yum Yum Sauce the same as hibachi sauce?
Yum Yum Sauce is one of the sauces commonly served with hibachi-style meals, so people frequently search for it simply as “hibachi sauce.” It’s the creamy, pale orange sauce that’s especially good with hibachi chicken, steak, shrimp, vegetables, and fried rice.
Does Yum Yum Sauce need to sit before serving?
Yes. While you can eat it immediately, I recommend refrigerating it for at least a couple of hours. The resting time gives the flavors a chance to blend. Overnight is even better.
What is mirin?
Mirin is a sweet Japanese cooking wine commonly used in Japanese cooking. In this recipe, it contributes mild sweetness and depth that you don’t get from sugar alone.
Can I make Yum Yum Sauce without mirin?
You can make a mayonnaise-based dipping sauce without it, but it won’t have quite the same flavor as this recipe. Since this is the version I’ve made repeatedly and know works well, I recommend using the mirin rather than leaving it out.
Why is my Yum Yum Sauce too thick?
It probably just needs a little more water. Add water gradually and whisk after each addition until you reach the consistency you want.
Can I make Yum Yum Sauce spicy?
Yes. Add a few splashes of hot sauce or a small pinch of cayenne pepper. Start small—you can always add more.
What do you eat Yum Yum Sauce with?
Hibachi chicken, steak, shrimp, fried rice, sautéed vegetables, and white rice are all good choices. It also works as a general dipping sauce for chicken and vegetables.
Storage
Transfer leftover Yum Yum Sauce to an airtight container or mason jar and keep it refrigerated. It will keep for up to one week in the refrigerator.
Give the sauce a good stir before serving it again. If it has thickened slightly in the refrigerator, you can whisk in a very small amount of water to loosen it back up.
Because this recipe is so quick to mix together and actually benefits from chilling, it’s a good sauce to make the day before you plan to serve it.
Freezing Instructions
I don’t recommend freezing Yum Yum Sauce.
Mayonnaise-based sauces can separate after freezing and thawing, which can leave the sauce with a broken or grainy texture. Since this recipe takes only a few minutes to prepare and keeps for up to a week in the refrigerator, making it fresh is the better option.
Variations
Spicy Yum Yum Sauce: Add a few splashes of hot sauce or a small pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat.
Smoky Yum Yum Sauce: Add a very small pinch of smoked paprika. A little goes a long way, and you don’t want the smoky flavor to take over the sauce.
Thicker dipping sauce: Use less water so the sauce stays thick enough to cling to chicken, shrimp, or vegetables.
Thinner hibachi sauce: Add a little more water until it’s easy to drizzle over fried rice, chicken, and vegetables.
Final Thoughts
Homemade Yum Yum Sauce is a small part of a hibachi dinner, but it’s one of the things that makes the meal feel complete. This is the version I’ve made over and over, and I like that it has the creamy, slightly sweet, tangy flavor I expect from Japanese steakhouse sauce without being complicated to make.
Make it a few hours ahead—or the night before—and keep it chilled while you prepare the rest of dinner. Once the chicken, vegetables, and fried rice are ready, put the Yum Yum Sauce on the table and let everyone add as much as they want.
Don’t forget to save my Hibachi Chicken and Vegetables and Egg Fried Rice recipes to create one complete homemade hibachi dinner!
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