This Yum Yum Dipping Sauce is an easy, delicious copycat of the Japanese hibachi sauce you love. It’s creamy, slightly sweet, and tangy, and works as a dipping sauce or a spread. Try it with vegetables, fries, burgers, fried seafood, or as a dressing or marinade. The recipe combines mayonnaise, ketchup, a few seasonings, and a small amount of rice vinegar to lift the flavors.
One of our readers asked for a Yum Yum Sauce recipe. I realized I’d already been making a similar sauce in the Philippines for years: a mayonnaise-based condiment blended with ketchup or tomato paste and sometimes sweetened a touch. It’s commonly used for fries (we love it with sweet potato fries), fried chicken, as a dressing, or even as a marinade.
This version is inspired by the Japanese steakhouse original but keeps a Filipino twist by using ketchup. If you prefer a closer match to the classic, substitute tomato paste for the ketchup. I also add rice vinegar to give the sauce a bright tang without making it sour — that contrast between tang and sweetness is what makes this so good.
What is Yum Yum Sauce?
Yum Yum Sauce is a creamy, sweet-tangy condiment typically made with mayonnaise, a tomato component (ketchup or tomato paste), and seasonings. It’s commonly served in Japanese steakhouses as a dipping or drizzling sauce.
How can you use Yum Yum Sauce?
This sauce is extremely versatile. Popular uses include:
- Dipping sauce for shrimp, crab cakes, fish sticks, chicken tenders, potstickers, wontons, and fresh or steamed vegetables.
- Drizzle over fried rice, noodles, poke bowls, roasted potatoes, or grilled vegetables.
- Spread on burgers, sandwiches, wraps, or paninis for a creamy, flavorful boost.
- Salad dressing when thinned with a little milk—great on green salads or macaroni salad.
- Hibachi-style accompaniment for grilled chicken, steak, or seafood.
I created this recipe for the Dippin’ in January series and aimed to capture the steakhouse flavor profile while keeping familiar Filipino elements. The rice vinegar is optional but recommended—just a couple teaspoons brightens the sauce and balances the sweetness.
Notes on Ingredients for Yum Yum Dipping Sauce
- Mayonnaise – Use a good-quality mayo. Japanese-style mayo will give a richer, more authentic flavor if available.
- Ketchup – Provides sweetness and tomato flavor. Substitute tomato paste if you prefer a less sweet, more concentrated tomato note.
- Sugar – A small amount balances and rounds the flavors without making the sauce overly sweet.
- Garlic powder – Adds savory depth.
- Ground paprika – Adds color and a mild smoky note.
- Water – Thins the sauce slightly for easier drizzling or dipping.
- Rice vinegar – Adds a bright, clean tang that balances the sweetness.
How to make Yum Yum Dipping Sauce
Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth and evenly combined. Chill overnight if possible, or at least a few hours, to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed—add a little more sugar if you want it sweeter, or an extra splash of rice vinegar for more tang.
Yum Yum Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Ketchup
- 2 tsp Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Ground Paprika
- 2 tbsp Water
- 2 tsp Rice Vinegar
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth and well-blended.
- Refrigerate overnight for best flavor, or at least a few hours to let the flavors develop.
- Adjust sweetness or acidity to taste before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 263 kcal; Carbohydrates: 2 g; Protein: 0.4 g; Fat: 28 g; Sugar: 2 g. Values are approximate.
This Yum Yum Sauce was our contribution to the Dippin’ in January series. It’s simple but flavorful, and pairs well with many dishes. Feel free to tweak the recipe to match your taste.
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