To make yum yum sauce, a popular Japanese steakhouse condiment, you will need a few simple ingredients and about 5 to 10 minutes of prep time. Here is a reliable and easy recipe based on multiple expert sources:
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise (Japanese mayo preferred for authentic flavor)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons ketchup or tomato paste (can substitute with sriracha or gochujang for spicier versions)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 to 2 teaspoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 to 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional for smokiness)
- Optional: a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper for heat
- Water to thin the sauce as needed (start with 1 tablespoon)
Instructions
- Melt the butter and let it cool slightly.
- In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup (or tomato paste), melted butter, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and optional hot sauce.
- Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
- Adjust the thickness by adding water a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—add more ketchup, paprika, or hot sauce to suit your preference.
- Cover and chill the sauce in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
This recipe yields about 1 to 1.5 cups of yum yum sauce, perfect for dipping grilled meats, seafood, vegetables, rice, or noodles
Tips
- Use good-quality mayonnaise for the best flavor.
- The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
- Feel free to customize the heat and smokiness by varying the amount of hot sauce, cayenne, or smoked paprika
This homemade yum yum sauce is simple, flavorful, and far superior to store- bought versions
