Tangy, delicious and perfect on everything, Homemade Shrimp Sauce Yum Yum Sauce Recipe is a terrific homemade yum yum sauce recipe using basic ingredients that you have in the kitchen. It's a yummy sauce that you'll find at hibachi restaurants and grills to use on hibachi vegetables, crab cakes and even french fries! It's great on everything! (We love it on fried rice!)
Yum Yum Sauce, often referred to as the "Famous Japanese Steakhouse Sauce" is a beloved condiment here in the South. It has become synonymous with Japanese Hibachi restaurants.
This creamy, pale pink sauce is a staple at hibachi grills, where it adds a delightful tangy flavor to dishes like teppanyaki and grilled meats.
This Japanese steakhouse shrimp sauce has even found its way into grocery stores, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy its unique flavor at home on fresh vegetables, onion rings, and homemade stir fry. It has come to work its magic not only in Japanese hibachi restaurants but also at home.
Why This Recipe Works:
- This recipe uses ingredients you will have at home instead of tomato paste, rice vinegar other hibachi sauce ingredients.
- Uses main ingredients for this flavorful sauce like onion powder, garlic powder
- Simply store in an airtight jar.
Here’s How It’s Done:
Here's What You'll Need for this Japanese Restaurants Sauce
1. Simple refrigerated ingredients like ketchup, hot sauce and mayonnaise.
2. A few dry ingredients that make for a tangy sauce like cayenne, garlic powder and onion powder.
PRO TIP: To make an exceptional sauce, use Japanese Kewpie Mayo, it makes a creamy sauce and creamy base with terrific flavor.
How to Store Your Own Homemade Yum Yum Sauce
You can choose a
- small bowl with a lid,
- a carafe with a lid,
- a zip top bag or
- a mason jar.
Tips & Tricks
- You might want to add a tiny bit more sugar – according to your tastes. You be the boss in your kitchen!
- Use a whisk to combine the ingredients, you’ll be much more satisfied with the smoothness of the sauce.
- If you are concerned about this being too hot, first let me assure you, it isn’t hot. The spices that you normally associate with “heat” are simply flavor in this recipe.
- Don’t limit yourself to JUST Japanese food with this sauce, you can put it on EVERYTHING!
- As an FYI, this recipe is the same as Shrimp Sauce and Japanese White Sauce – they just have different names depending on what restaurant you are in and who you are talking to.
PRO TIP: Allow this sauce to rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Rest for 24 hours for the best flavor! The ingredients need to meld and get to know each other!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Shrimp Sauce Yum Yum sauce is often served in Japanese Steakhouses’. You know, the kind of Japanese eatery where you sit in a half circle around a chef who entertains you while preparing your delicious dinner? This is one of the sauces that the chef often offers you!
No, Thousand Island has other ingredients added in like pickles.
Do not let sit out for longer than 2 hours. This sauce will keep refrigerated for 10 days.
You can, but why? It's usually offered at room temperature or cold.
Yes, it does. Among the other ingredients, it contains mayonnaise.
Is This Sauce Spicy?
Generally, this is not spicy, however, if you would like for it to have a little kick, add some cayenne pepper!
What Kind of Mayo Do I Use?
You will want to use a good quality and tasty mayo. We enjoy Hellmans, Dukes, Blue Plate or Aldi Brand. Each of those has it’s own unique taste that blends well with this recipe.
Can I have Shrimp Sauce Yum Yum Sauce While I Am Pregnant?
This depends entirely upon what you are allowed to have in your diet, however, this does NOT have shrimp in it. So, look at the ingredients and see if this is something that you can have.
Can I Buy Shrimp Sauce Yum Yum Sauce?
There are options for purchasing store bought shrimp sauce yum yum sauce, however, why would you buy any when what you can make with this recipe is SO MUCH better and EASY to fix?
Can I Freeze Shrimp Sauce Yum Yum Sauce?
No, you really can’t freeze shrimp sauce yum yum sauce because it contains mayonnaise and it will separate when thawed.
How Do You Make Shrimp Sauce Yum Yum Sauce?
Worry no more! Like me you have probably tried other recipes for Shrimp Sauce, Yum Yum Sauce, Japanese restaurant White Sauce, Hibachi Shrimp Sauce, Dipping Sauce for Shrimp, Benihana Sauce and Terry Ho Sauce that you found on the internet.
All of those store bought sauces left you wanting something, didn’t they, however, this shrimp sauce yum yum sauce is the real deal right here.
Where Did This Recipe Come From?
You might be wondering, “how did you get that recipe for shrimp sauce yum yum sauce anyway”.
A friend who is a line cook shared his recipe with me and I shared my macaroni and cheese recipe with him.
Watch Me Make This Sauce
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Homemade Japanese Shrimp Sauce Yum Yum Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Cups of Mayonnaise
- ½ Cup Ketchup
- 3 Tbs Sugar
- 1 Tbs Garlic Powder
- 1 Tbs Paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ Cup of water
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha or other hot sauce.
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl – may add extra sugar to taste. Allow to sit in refrigerator for at least an hour before serving so that flavors can meld.
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Notes
- You might want to add a tiny bit more sugar – according to your tastes. You be the boss in your kitchen!
- Use a whisk to combine the ingredients, you'll be much more satisfied with how smooth the resulting sauce is.
- If you are concerned about this being too hot, first let me assure you, it isn't hot. The spices that you normally associate with "heat" are simply flavor in this recipe.
- Don't limit yourself to JUST Japanese food with this sauce, you can put it on EVERYTHING!
Nutrition
This article originally appeared on the pages of Loaves and Dishes on March 31, 2019. It has been updated with new information, an updated recipe card, FAQ's and more.
Feeling defeated today and somewhat attacked. This verse always helps me, maybe it will help you too?
John 15:18
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
Doris says
My family enjoyed the sauce. We especially like the fact that we can make it ourselves and have enough for the whole family. I always had to order extra sauce with my take out orders. I will continue to use this recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Wendi Spraker says
It's so fun to have extra!
Bradley Eaton says
I am an absolute FAN !
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Bradley! I'm tickled to hear that!
Bonnie Zahradka says
what brand of mayo do you use, I think that is the key to this? let me know.
thanks
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks for asking Bonnie, You will want to use a good quality and tasty mayo. We enjoy Hellmans, Dukes, Blue Plate or Aldi Brand. Each of those has it’s own unique taste that blends well with this recipe. Hope this helps and hope you love the shrimp sauce!
Stephanie Wallis says
Substitute Mirin for water and it tastes so much closer to the real stuff.
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks Stephanie
Allison says
I absolutely love this dipping sauce with some fresh grilled jumbo shrimp! I added a squeeze of lemon and a touch more cayenne and BOOM! I always wondered how they made this yummy sauce at hibachi places! Thanks for the recipe! 😁
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Allison! Thanks so much for leaving a comment! I'm tickled that you love the sauce!
Susie says
My husband and love this sauce. He is a tartar sauce man and has decided that this shrimp sauce is much better than tartar sauce on all types of seafood. There are only two of us, and half of the recipe was perfect for our needs. Thank you for a great recipe!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Susie! I'm tickled that ya'll love it! Thanks for coming back and leaving a comment! I appreciate it so much!
Elena says
I tried it and it tasted nothing like Shrimp/ Yum Yum/ White sauce in all the restaurants ://
Even after I let it sits in the fridge for a day or 2, it tastes so much like ketchup.
Wendi Spraker says
Sorry this didn't meet your standards. I'm wondering if you maybe added too much ketchup because it shouldn't taste like ketchup at all.
Kathy Hall says
A definite must try
Wendi Spraker says
Oh Thanks Kathy!
Jasmine Bayer says
My husbands new fav for his popcorn shrimp I make 😊😊 I have one question though, how long can I leave it in the fridge for? Thank you for this recipe 😊😊
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Jasmine, I've safely kept this in the fridge for a week or two. The main ingredient that you worry about going bad is the mayo, and as long as you are keeping it refrigerated, it should be good for a while.
Kristina White says
I needed a shrimp sauce to serve on po boy sandwiches and decided to try this recipe since I didn't have any horseradish. I found the sauce to be disappointing but doctored it up as best I could. I followed the measurements and it was pretty sweet. I added some additional salt and mild wing sauce to balance it out.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Kristina, I hate to hear that this sauce wasn't for you. I'll have to remember my quote about peaches.
Dan says
It's good but the best dipping sauce that I've ever tasted is sweet chili garlic sauce.
Wendi Spraker says
I'm glad you enjoyed it and maybe I can put up my recipe for sweet chili garlic sauce one day and you can enjoy that too.
Snowy says
My hubby enjoyed the shrimp sauce over fried rice... so delicious. Thanks!!
Wendi Spraker says
I am tickled to death that you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know!
Cam S says
Nothing like what you get in a Japanese Steakhouse. Will not make again.
Wendi Spraker says
I'm sorry to hear that it wasn't for you
Susan says
Love all you're recipes they are amazing thanks so much,stay safe.....
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks so much Susan! You are welcome!
Elaine says
I have tried several different recipes for this sauce and some were close but this one is spot on Delicious !!! Thank you for sharing 😋
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks Elaine! I'm so glad that you loved it.