A delicious copycat recipe of your favorite Japanese Hibachi sauce that’s so easy to make and totally versatile, too. No wonder it’s called yum-yum as it’s so yummy!
One time, one of our page followers asked me if I had a recipe for Yum Yum Sauce. I must confess that at that time, I actually didn’t know what she meant and had to google it (boy, am I thankful for the internet at times!).
When I saw the recipe and its ingredients, I realized all my life I have been making something similar in the Philippines – a mayo-based sauce flavored with either tomato paste or ketchup and then sometimes sweetened with a little sugar or perhaps even some condensed milk.
It is naturally used as a dipping sauce for fries (that’s camote/sweet potato fries for us) and fried chicken and more commonly as a dressing or perhaps even as a marinade.
So when my other blogger friends asked me to join in the Dippin’ in January series, I already knew right away what I would make. I patterned the recipe after the well-known Japanese Steak House sauce called Yum Yum, hence I used the same title but I retained a little Filipino flavor thereby using Ketchup instead of the usual tomato paste.
I thought I will stick to what I am familiar with but if you don’t like ketchup use tomato paste instead. Of course, I was guided by my taste buds in making this, I made it similar to the one I made at home but also has the flavor notes of the Japanese Steak House version.
The addition of a little rice vinegar (which we don’t do in the Pinoy version) really made this sauce fantastic – it added extra tang (but no sourness) which contrasted so perfectly with the sweetness of the sauce.
This dipping sauce is versatile as you can use this as an accompaniment for fries, vegetable platters, chicken nuggets, and yes, even as a replacement for tartare sauce.
Honestly, whatever you dip in this sauce instantly tastes better! As with all my other recipes in this blog, feel free to tweak them to your own taste preference.
Even before I knew what a Yum Yum sauce was, I was already making something similar and always used it as the sauce for our favorite Chicken Scampi.
FOR FULL RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS and to PRINT, SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW.
NOTES ON INGREDIENTS FOR Yum Yum Dipping Sauce
- Mayonnaise – use a good quality mayonnaise and even the Japanese version if you could for a robust taste of the sauce.
- Ketchup – I prefer using ketchup so it contrasts with the mayo component without overpowering it. Use tomato paste if you prefer.
- Sugar – this will not overly sweeten the sauce but actually enhances the flavor and perfectly balances it.
- Garlic Powder
- Ground Paprika – will brighten up the sauce a little.
- Water
- Rice Vinegar – gives it that perfect amount of tartness without making it sour!
HOW TO MAKE Yum Yum Dipping Sauce
Whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl until smooth and well-blended. Refrigerate overnight (preferred) or at least for a few hours to allow the flavor to develop. As with any recipe, feel free to adjust the measurement to suit your taste. My family loves this as is but perhaps you prefer it sweeter or tangier. Please enjoy!
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 the ingredients together in a bowl until smooth and well-blended. Refrigerate overnight (preferred) or at least for a few hours to allow the flavor to develop. As with any recipe, feel free to adjust the measurement to suit your taste. My family loves this as is but perhaps you prefer it sweeter or tangier. Please enjoy!
The Yum Yum Sauce is one of the yummy dips featured in our DIPPIN’ IN JANUARY SERIES presented in collaboration with other foodie bloggers who are not only very talented, they are my friends, too.
We are dip no. 9, the last but hopefully not the least…as my other blogger friends have really outdone themselves in making such fantastic dips! They have set such a high bar that ours seem too simple but hope you like it anyway. 😀 Don’t forget to check out the other scrumptious dips showcased in this delicious project.
1. JALAPENO POPPER DIP by Moore or Less Cooking Blog
2. MELTING POT SWISS CHEESE FONDUE by Tampa Cake Girl
3. ROCKY ROAD BROWNIE BATTER DIP by Hun, What’s for Dinner?
4. PROSCIUTTO ARTICHOKE SPINACH DIP by Crumbs in my Mustachio
5. CRAB RANGOON DIP with WONTON CHIPS by Lemony Thyme
6. BLT DIP by Cooking from a Stay-at-home Mom
7. APPLE FRENCH TOAST BRUNCH DIP by Baking in a Tornado
8. SUCCULENT SALMON DIP by The Rowdy Baker
9. YUM YUM DIPPING SAUCE – that’s us!!!
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Last updated on September 7th, 2021 at 07:19 pm
Can't wait to make this. I think I'm going to serve it with an assortment of Sweet Potato Fries (for me) French Fries (for the kids) and Onion Rings (for all). Pinned this!
Thanks, Karen! Can you please invite me over when you make all that? 🙂 Please enjoy!
Great recipes!
Thanks, Rudy!
good
Thanks, Ali!