Homemade Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

Every time we go to our favorite Japanese hibachi steak house I take notes on how they fry up the rice, meat, veggies, etc. They keep the pan HOT, use only soy sauce to season, and cook everything quickly to sear the outside and keep the inside tender. Of course, none of it is quite the same without the creamy Yum Yum sauce served with every meal. Also called Japanese white sauce, yum yum sauce is served in a small bowl like ranch salad dressing and is the perfect sauce for dipping or drizzling.

I stumbled across this easy yum yum sauce recipe over a decade ago, and IT. IS. SPOT. ON. And while we miss the show of our chef dicing veggies at a ridiculous speed, stacking onions and lighting them on fire, and the other fun elements of the table show, it is nice to have a more affordable option to enjoy at home.

What Is Yum Yum Sauce?

Yum Yum sauce is the creamy mayonnaise-based dipping sauce served at many Japanese hibachi restaurants. Also called Japanese white sauce or hibachi shrimp sauce, it's slightly sweet, tangy, buttery, and delicious on fried rice, grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, seafood, and vegetables.

Why This Yum Yum Sauce Tastes Like the Restaurant Version

This homemade Yum Yum sauce uses a handful of simple ingredients that work together to recreate the creamy, tangy sauce served at Japanese hibachi restaurants. Every ingredient has a purpose, and one easy step makes all the difference.

• Mayonnaise creates the rich, creamy base that's essential to restaurant-style Yum Yum sauce.
• Butter adds richness and gives the sauce its smooth, restaurant-style flavor.
• Tomato paste gives Yum Yum sauce its signature pale pink color while adding a richer tomato flavor and subtle sweetness. While ketchup can be substituted in a pinch, tomato paste creates a more restaurant-style flavor.
• Resting overnight allows the garlic, paprika, butter, and tomato paste to meld together, creating a much smoother, more balanced flavor. It may be tempting to use it right away, but it's noticeably better after chilling for at least 6–8 hours.

🥢Why I Like This Recipe

• Tastes just like the restaurant: This creamy Yum Yum sauce tastes just like the sauce served at Japanese hibachi restaurants. With over 250 five-star reviews, readers consistently say it's spot on—and once you try it, you'll see why.
• Basic Ingredients: Chances are, you already have everything needed to make your own copycat Genji or Benihana yum yum sauce recipe at home. It's a mayonnaise-based sauce with delicious flavor add-ins like garlic, butter, paprika, and tomato paste.
• Versatile: Also called Japanese white sauce, this simple yum yum sauce is served in a small bowl like ranch salad dressing. You can use it on your salad, you can dip seafood and sushi into it, and you can also pour it over fried rice and hibachi chicken. That’s our favorite way to enjoy it. In fact, we can’t even eat fried rice without this yummy sauce. It’s addictive, you’ve been warned.
• Easy to Store: Yum yum sauce stores well, so you can make a batch and keep it in the refrigerator for at least a week.

What Others Are Saying

I made this last night to go with shrimp fried rice. It was delicious! I halved the recipe and added a couple of shakes of ground mustard. My husband declared it was "freaking amazing" and something that needed to be made every time we have shrimp or fried rice. ---Amy

My taste buds thank you, and my waistline does not, cause you nailed it!
Yum!!! ---Kari

Thank you Thank you Thank you for making this recipe!!! This sauce is goal in my family! Anytime we have hibachi this is our sauce on everything. This tastes just like in the restaurant. ---Lisa

Tips and Tricks

1. Use mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip. For hibachi-style sauce, use full-fat mayonnaise, which is distinctly different from Miracle Whip. I have made this with reduced-fat mayonnaise, and it works well, but regular mayonnaise is my first choice.
2. Allow the sauce to rest. While you can use the yum yum sauce right after making it, allowing it a few hours (preferably 6-8 hours) brings out the full flavor of the spices. You won't regret it. This is the same with homemade restaurant ranch dressing and most chip dips. They are better after the flavors have had a chance to meld.
3. Experiment with the spices. If you like heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper! If you want a boost of garlic, add a bit more. I recommend trying it AS IS the first time and then making adjustments the second time you make it.

What to Serve With Yum Yum Sauce

Yum Yum sauce isn't just for hibachi night! This creamy Japanese steakhouse sauce is delicious drizzled over grilled meats, seafood, vegetables, and even French fries. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:

• Hibachi Fried Rice: The classic pairing! Drizzle Yum Yum sauce over homemade hibachi fried rice for that restaurant-style Japanese steakhouse flavor.
• Hibachi Chicken: Tender grilled chicken and Yum Yum sauce are a match made in heaven. Serve with fried rice for a complete meal.
• Hibachi Vegetables: Zucchini, onions, mushrooms, carrots, and broccoli become even better with a generous drizzle of Yum Yum sauce.
• Steak: Spoon this creamy sauce over grilled steak for an easy steakhouse-inspired dinner.
• Shrimp: Whether grilled, sautéed, or cooked hibachi-style, shrimp pairs perfectly with this rich and tangy sauce.
• Salmon: Brush grilled or baked salmon with Yum Yum sauce just before serving for a delicious twist.
• French Fries: Skip the ketchup and use Yum Yum sauce as a dipping sauce for crispy fries or sweet potato fries.
• Burgers: Spread Yum Yum sauce on burgers instead of mayonnaise for an easy flavor upgrade.

🥣 Recipe Ingredients

• Mayonnaise: Full-fat mayonnaise is preferred over low-fat.
• Water: just a small amount allows you to thin the sauce to the perfect consistency for drizzling.
• Tomato paste: if you don't have tomato paste on hand you can use ketchup in its place.
• Melted butter: don't leave this out. It's a small amount of butter, but adds rich flavor to the sauce.
• Garlic powder, sugar, and paprika: a delicious trifecta of spices and flavoring. For a spicy kick, add a drop of sriracha sauce or a dash of cayenne pepper.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

👩‍🍳How To Make Yum Yum Sauce

Step 1: Mix ingredients together and refrigerate overnight (at least 6-8 hours).

Step 2: Thin with a tiny bit of water if desired before serving to achieve the desired consistency.

Homemade Yum Yum Sauce FAQs

If you enjoyed this recipe, don't miss my growing collection of Copycat Recipes! From famous restaurant dishes and luxury hotel cookies to bakery favorites and nostalgic grocery store treats, there's something for everyone.

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