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
Ya’ll Be Sweet Now, Ya’ Here!
Be sweet and leave me a 5 STAR COMMENT 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 below, please. It helps others to find the recipes here at Loaves and Dishes.
Please sign up for the newsletter and get your FREE copy of “9 Secrets to Immediate Kitchen Confidence”!
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.
- Special tips and recipes JUST FOR EMAIL subscribers. Look for the red and white banner "Subscribe" now on the Loaves and Dishes website
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.
Mandy says
This is exactly what I want on my sushi, seafood, fried rice, veggies and anything else I can dip in it!
Thank you for an easy, delicious and practical recipe!
Wendi Spraker says
Wonderful! So glad you are enjoying it!
Kelly says
Tastes like fry sauce; nothing like hibachi style shrimp sauce.
Wendi Spraker says
Since this recipe article was written, Yum Yum Sauce has changed from it's original form, in my opinion. I notice that the current version is more sweet and white and more like Miracle Whip as opposed to Mayonnaise (for a comparison). I don't think many places are making their own anymore and that is quite sad. This is the original Yum Yum Sauce.
Annette says
Only wish it was printable
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Annette, It should be printable. At the top of the recipe card you should have the option to print and also at the top of the article beside the "jump to recipe" button.
Mommy says
Tad bit salty to my liking, but the color and consistency is the exact same as from the restaurant. Also, makes a lot!! So be prepared to share some with a group!
Wendi Spraker says
I'm glad you enjoyed it. You can just leave out some of the salt next time you make it and maybe it will be a bit more to your tastes.
Kayy says
MY FAMILY ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT WITH THE SHRIMP!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
Wendi Spraker says
So glad you loved it!
Sue says
I decided to make this at the last minute and I only need a small portion for myself. So I just winged it and it was delicious.
Thanks for the recipe.
Wendi Spraker says
Perfect!
Aaron says
Not bad, wish i had siracha but not bad.
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks Aaron!
Thomas Barnby says
This is great for more than just shrimp
Wendi Spraker says
That's what we think too! When I make some, we use it on everything!
Angus says
Good recipe for yum yum sauce. I can add that the "special" ingredient in our local Habachi sauce is half and half which in the context of this recipe I would say to use instead of the water. It makes it a little creamier and naturally sweeter for those that like it like that and we do! Peace out.
Stephanie Read says
You blew my fiancé and I away with this yum yum sauce! Made our homemade fried rice taste EXACTLY like the one from our favorite restaurant. I fear you just may have just put them out of business.
Wendi Spraker says
Oh, I'm so glad you decided to stop by and let me know. I love it too and I'm so glad that you did as well. I've considered taking the recipe down because I had received some complaints about how it didn't taste like what someone was used to. I actually think the quality of yum yum sauce has decreased in restaurants over the last 5 years and this is more like "it used to be". So, thank you for the bit of encouragement. 🙂
Heather says
This has been our go to shrimp sauce for years. I just realized that I hadn’t rated it, and it is for sure worth a review! My entire family loves it and guests always ask for the recipe! I use the whisk attachment on my stick blender and it turns out so smooth. Easily a 10/10! Thank you for the recipe!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Heather, Thank you for letting me know. I'm tickled that ya'll love it so much. I hope you'll find other things you love here just as much! Best to you!
Alec says
Thanks for this, absolutely fantastic. If it has not already been mentioned, a generous tsp of fresh ginger root, grated right into the bowl and mixed with other ingredients puts a SUPER tasty and elegant polish on this already awesome mix. Really provides a Japanese/Asian brightness.
Thanks for sharing!!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Alec, so glad that you enjoyed the sauce. Ginger sounds good.
Jessie says
I really hate being charged $1 for those tiny little cups of shrimp sauce, and all you get is a hint of it. It's nowhere near enough for one person, much less my whole family. Just made this because we have Chinese on the way and I refused to buy $10 worth of shrimp sauce for everyone, and WOW. This is SO much better than what we get in the restaurant! I'll never buy it again. Definitely going to make it from now on.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Jessie, Thank you so much for the comment. We love it at my house too. I wrote this recipe way back in 2014 when my website was brand spanking new and back then, this is exactly the sauce that you would find at most places. Now, however, I'm wondering if I need to rewrite the recipe. Most restaurants are using a premade, canned version that is much sweeter, a white color (not pink) and in my opinion, it isn't as good. But that is me. So, this isn't really a current sauce like you find these days. Maybe I should rename it, "classic" Yum Yum sauce. Thanks for the comment though!