Yum Yum sauce is a sweet and tangy sauce often found at hibachi restaurants. It has a smooth, creamy texture and adds a delicious flavor to meats, seafood, vegetables, and rice dishes. But what if you don’t have access to this tasty sauce? Luckily, there are several easy ways to make something similar at home using just a few simple ingredients.
What is Yum Yum Sauce?
Yum Yum sauce is a pink or orange sweet and savory sauce that typically contains mayonnaise, ketchup, soy sauce, sugar, and spices. It originated in Japan, where it’s known as “white sauce” and is served with dishes like hibachi, yakitori, and teppanyaki.
Some key characteristics of Yum Yum sauce include:
- Creamy, smooth texture
- Sweet and tangy flavor
- Light pink or orange color
- Made with mayonnaise as a base
- Also contains ketchup, soy sauce, sugar, and spices
When paired with grilled meats, seafood, and veggies, Yum Yum sauce provides a sweet, tangy contrast to the savory flavors. It’s extremely versatile and pairs well with nearly any protein or sides. The creamy sauce also enhances the flavor and moisture of rice dishes.
Homemade Yum Yum Sauce Substitutes
While you can sometimes find bottled Yum Yum sauce at grocery stores, it’s easy and inexpensive to whip up a batch at home. Here are some simple substitute recipes to recreate the sweet and tangy flavor:
Mayonnaise-Based Yum Yum Sauce
The base of most Yum Yum sauces is mayonnaise, which provides creaminess and body. For a quick homemade version, combine:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons honey or agave
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
Whisk together all ingredients until thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust sweetness or tanginess as desired. The sauce will keep refrigerated for 4-5 days.
Greek Yogurt Yum Yum Sauce
For a lower-fat version, substitute Greek yogurt for all or part of the mayonnaise. The yogurt provides tanginess and helps emulsify the sauce.
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Whisk together ingredients until fully incorporated. Store refrigerated up to one week.
Creamy Orange Sauce
For a sauce that mimics the bright orange color of many Yum Yum sauces, use orange marmalade.
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup orange marmalade
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha (optional)
Whisk together all ingredients. Add a dash of Sriracha for a kick of heat if desired. Refrigerate unused portion for up to 1 week.
Condiment-Based Substitutes
Don’t have time to make homemade sauce? You can mimic the flavor profile of Yum Yum with just a few condiments.
Honey Mustard Sauce
For a quick sweet and tangy sauce, combine:
- 1/2 cup honey mustard
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Whisk together until smooth. Use immediately or refrigerate up to 1 week.
Sweet & Sour Sauce
Recreate the flavor with bottled sweet and sour sauce:
- 1/2 cup sweet and sour sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
Combine ingredients and mix well. Adjust sweetness to taste. Store leftover sauce covered in the fridge.
How to Use Yum Yum Sauce
Here are some of the endless ways to enjoy Yum Yum and similar sweet-tangy sauces:
- Drizzle over grilled or breaded chicken, fish, shrimp, tofu, etc.
- Toss with grilled or roasted veggies like zucchini, broccoli, carrots, etc.
- Mix into fried rice or noodle dishes
- Use as a dip for dumplings, potstickers, spring rolls, etc.
- Drizzle on burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and pitas
- Use as a marinade or sauce for kabobs or skewers
- Toss with salad greens and crispy wontons
- Stir into plain Greek yogurt for a quick veggie dip
- Use as a glaze or finishing sauce for meatloaf or meatballs
- Brush onto proteins before grilling for extra flavor
A little bit of this versatile sauce goes a long way in adding a burst of sweet and tangy flavor. Keep a batch in your fridge to elevate weekday meals, simple entrées, and backyard BBQs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yum Yum sauce the same as white sauce?
Yum Yum sauce and white sauce are very similar. White sauce is another name used to describe the tangy, creamy sauce served at hibachi restaurants. While recipes can vary slightly, they typically contain the same main ingredients like mayonnaise, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic, and sugar.
Can I make Yum Yum sauce without mayonnaise?
It’s best to use mayonnaise or a mayo alternative like Greek yogurt or vegan mayo as the base for Yum Yum sauce. The mayo gives the sauce its signature creamy texture and helps emulsify the other ingredients. If you need a dairy-free or vegan version, try substituting an equal amount of vegan mayonnaise.
Is Yum Yum sauce spicy?
Authentic Yum Yum sauce doesn’t contain anything spicy. However, you can add a kick by incorporating ingredients like sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or chili oil. Start with small amounts until you achieve the desired level of heat.
What’s the difference between Yum Yum sauce and duck sauce?
Duck sauce has more sweetness from added sugar and often contains chunks of fruit. It also utilizes vinegar rather than soy sauce for tanginess. Yum Yum sauce has a smoother, creamier texture thanks to the mayonnaise and gets umami flavor from soy sauce.
How long does homemade Yum Yum sauce last?
Homemade Yum Yum sauce lasts 3-5 days refrigerated. The shelf life is shorter than commercial versions since it doesn’t contain preservatives. Store the sauce in an airtight container and toss it if you notice any separation, curdling, or foul odor.
Conclusion
With its sweet, tangy, and creamy flavor, Yum Yum sauce is a versatile condiment that can enhance everything from stir fries to grilled meats. Luckily, you can easily mimic the store-bought version using basic pantry staples like mayo, ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, and honey. Or opt for quicker shortcuts using condiments like honey mustard and sweet and sour sauce. Drizzle the sauce over proteins, veggies, noodles, rice, and more to add signature Japanese flavor to any meal. Experiment with adjusted sweetness, spices, and Sriracha heat to customize the sauce to your tastes. With these easy ideas, you can enjoy yummy Yum Yum flavor anytime.