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.
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John 15:18
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
Lannita Morton says
This sauce is great!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks Lannita. I hope you enjoy it. Please come back and let me know how it turned out for you!
Lannita Morton says
It was wonderful. Everyone loved it. I will be making this again. Thanks so much!
Wendi Spraker says
A www. Thanks for letting me know. You are welcome!!
Greg says
Too much mayonnaise. Sorry didn't care for it.
Wendi Spraker says
Sorry it wasn't for you Greg.
Johnnie Searcy says
I made it to go with stir fry and it seriously tastes just like the restaurants they we go to! Maybe even a little better! I'll definitely be making this again
Wendi Spraker says
Johnnie- that's the best news ever. Thanks so much for letting me know!!
Daija says
Hi...is it okay if you don't include the hot sauce...I have a boyfriend who isn't too keen with spicy foods?
Wendi Spraker says
Yes of course. But actually it doesn't make it spicy it just adds flavor. Try it without and see what you think. Maybe try some separately with a little Sriacha and see if you like or don't like and if it is too hot. That way you don't make the whole batch too hot for you. :). Let me know how it goes!!
Amy says
Hey Wendi, what brand of mayo do you use? Thanks, this is the BEST shrimp sauce recipe I have ever made, and I've tried a ton of them!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Amy!!! Not to start the mayo bidding war - but we usually use Hellmans. No reason not to use the others though. 🙂
Britt says
Can I use miracle whip as the mayonnaise?
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Britt - I don't think that would taste as good. However if you are in a pinch and must use miracle whip - then I wouldn't add any sugar until the very end and then taste as you go. But really- go with mayo if at all possible.
Audriane Leak says
I finally found the perfect yum yum sauce recipe. A variety of other recipes use tomato paste but the ketchup is way better. Delish!!!
Wendi Spraker says
Austrians- I'm so Glad that you like this version!! I have made this sauce twice in the past two weeks myself. I have to say - let it set in the fridge for AT LEAST an hour. Longer is better. Best to wait 24 hours!! Thank you for letting me know you have it a whirl!!
Jennifer says
Whipped some up to go with my take out tonight after I forgot to ask for some. It's perfect!
Wendi Spraker says
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for letting me know!! We love it around here too - It is a little dangerous to have around - I DO find myself putting it on everything! lol. Enjoy. Do you find yourself putting it on everything? If so - what didn't you expect to like it on that you find, "Mmmmm, that is pretty good"? For me - eggs. 🙂
Cela says
This sauce is wonderful. Thanks for sharing it.
Wendi Spraker says
Thank you so much Cela. I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Correen says
Want NOW! Your pics are incredible!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Coreen! Welcome! Thank you so much.
Dianna says
Is this your version of "bang bang" sauce? It looks like the bang bang shrimp version of the sauce. I've heard that is a delicious sauce but haven't tried it. This sauce makes much, much more than what I have seen. Can't wait to try it!
wendi.spraker@yahoo.com says
Hi Dianna! I've never had Bang Bang Sauce - or at least it hasn't been called that. I have noted that this type of sauce is called different things depending on where you go. I've heard White Sauce, Shrimp Sauce and Yum Yum Sauce. Either way - its wonderful! Serve with seafood, meats, veggies or over rice. It is SO GOOD!
Kristen says
Actually bang bang sauce is mayonnaise and sweet Thai chili sauce mixed together
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks Kristen for that information.
Lou Lou Girls says
This looks so good! Pinned and tweeted. Lou Lou Girls
Mirta Porley says
I'll have to prepare it looks delicious .Greetings from Uruguay
wendi.spraker@yahoo.com says
Greetings Mirta!!! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Mary@SweetwaterStyle says
Oh this sounds delicious! I have never seen this recipe....and can't wait to try it!
wendi.spraker@yahoo.com says
Wonderful! Hope you enjoy it!
Claudia @ Homemade with love says
Uhhh that sauce looks incredible! Going to buy Siracha and then I ll make your sauce immediately. 😉
wendi.spraker@yahoo.com says
Cool! That Siracha gives it just a little kick but a really distinctive flavor. Have fun!! 🙂