The Best Yum Yum Sauce: Authentic Japanese Steakhouse Copycat

Yum Yum Sauce

Description This pale pink, tangy, and sweet condiment is the legendary dipping sauce found at hibachi grills and Japanese steakhouses. It relies on a mayonnaise base enriched with melted butter and spices to create a rich, crave-worthy flavor that pairs perfectly with grilled shrimp, steak, or fried rice. While it can be eaten immediately, the flavor gets significantly better after resting in the fridge for an hour.

Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook time: 0 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes (includes chilling time) Servings: 12 (2 tablespoons per serving)

Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise (such as Hellmann’s or Duke’s)
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 dash cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons water (to reach desired consistency)

Direction

1. In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, melted butter, tomato paste, sugar, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
2. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and the tomato paste is fully incorporated, leaving no streaks.
3. Add water, one teaspoon at a time, whisking constantly until the sauce reaches a drizzle-able consistency (it should be thinner than pure mayonnaise but thicker than a salad dressing).
4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the sugar to dissolve completely before serving.

Optional Tips / Variations

• The “Pink” Factor: If you want a deeper pink color often seen in restaurants, add a pinch more paprika or a drop of ketchup instead of tomato paste, though tomato paste provides a richer umami flavor.
• Make it Spicy: Add 1 teaspoon of Sriracha or chili garlic sauce to turn this into a “Spicy Mayo” suitable for sushi or poke bowls.
• Storage: This sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. The butter may firm up slightly when cold, so give it a good stir before serving again.