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Homemade Japanese Shrimp Sauce Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

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. 

Shrimp Sauce being poured over a bowl of asian rice for the post Japanese White Sauce
Shrimp

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:

Blue bowl with mayonnaise in it and a smaller bowl with hot sauce
Step 1. Add all the ingredients to the bowl.
A blue bowl with ingredients being whisked
Step 2. Whisk it, Whisk it REAL good!

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. 
Shrimp White Sauce with Broccoli being dipped in for the post Japanese White Sauce
Broccoli is good in Shrimp Sauce

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)

What Is Shrimp Sauce, Yum Yum Sauce?

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!

Is This the Same as Thousand Island?

No, Thousand Island has other ingredients added in like pickles.

How Long Does This Sauce Last?

Do not let sit out for longer than 2 hours. This sauce will keep refrigerated for 10 days.

Can I Heat This Sauce?

You can, but why? It’s usually offered at room temperature or cold.

Does This Sauce Have to Be Refrigerated?

Yes, it does. Among the other ingredients, it contains mayonnaise.

Shrimp sauce with a carrot disk being dipped in for the post Japanese White Sauce
Carrots are good in Shrimp Sauce!

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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A photo of a bowl of Yum Yum Sauce beside a plate of broccoli and rice for Yum yum sauce

Homemade Japanese Shrimp Sauce Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

This delicious recipe for Shrimp Sauce, Yum Yum Sauce will have you believing that you are sitting at the finest Japanese restaurant.
4.61 from 28 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: side dish, vegetarian
Keyword: Homemade Japanese Shrimp Sauce Yum Yum Sauce Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 420kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups of Mayonnaise
  • ½ Cup Ketchup
  • 3 Tbs Sugar
  • 1 Tbs Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tbs Paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ Cup of water
  • 1 tsp 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!
PRO TIP:  Allow this sauce to sit in the refrigerator for at LEAST an hour before serving.  This gives the ingredients time to meld!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Homemade Japanese Shrimp Sauce Yum Yum Sauce Recipe
Amount Per Serving (0.25 cup)
Calories 420 Calories from Fat 378
% Daily Value*
Fat 42g65%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Trans Fat 0.1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 25g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Cholesterol 24mg8%
Sodium 798mg33%
Potassium 91mg3%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 597IU12%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 11mg1%
Iron 0.4mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

   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.

A Verse to Share

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.

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




Kelly

Sunday 28th of May 2023

Tastes like fry sauce; nothing like hibachi style shrimp sauce.

Wendi Spraker

Thursday 1st of June 2023

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

Monday 15th of May 2023

Only wish it was printable

Wendi Spraker

Saturday 20th of May 2023

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

Sunday 7th of May 2023

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

Monday 8th of May 2023

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

Sunday 23rd of April 2023

MY FAMILY ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT WITH THE SHRIMP!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Wendi Spraker

Monday 24th of April 2023

So glad you loved it!

Sue

Monday 3rd of April 2023

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

Thursday 6th of April 2023

Perfect!

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