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The Best Shrimp Sauce (Yum Yum Sauce) Ever... Sorry Ichiban!

Updated: Nov 12, 2025


Okay friend, I’ve cracked the code.


You know that creamy, tangy, slightly sweet shrimp sauce (or yum yum sauce) you drown everything in at Japanese restaurants?


The one that somehow makes plain white rice taste like a 5-star meal? Yeah, that one.


Well… I’m here to tell you this recipe might just be better than Ichiban’s. Bold claim, I know... but stick with me.




Why This Sauce is a Game-Changer


Here’s the deal: I don’t like waiting until we go out to eat to get my fix. Especially since Hurricane Helene took BOTH of the best Japanese restaurants out (Ichiban's and Asaka).


So when Austin told me one of the dinners we had a couple weeks ago would be so much better if we had shrimp sauce... I went on a mission to nail down the flavors of the famous yum yum sauce.


After a LOT of taste testing (rough job, right?), this recipe landed in my kitchen... and it’s pure magic.


Creamy, smoky, garlicky, a little sweet, a little tangy, with just enough soy sauce to give it some depth.


It hits every single flavor note. You’ll want it on shrimp, steak, pork, veggies, fried rice, chicken… basically anything that isn’t nailed down.


And if you drink it straight... welcome to the club. 😉







The Secret Recipe


Here’s all you need:


  • 1 cup mayonnaise

  • 1 tbsp ketchup

  • 1 tbsp melted butter (unsalted)

  • 1 tbsp sugar (or honey if you want to feel crunchy)

  • ½ tsp garlic powder

  • ½ tsp paprika (smoked is best)

  • 3 tsp apple cider vinegar

  • A splash of soy sauce (or coconut aminos) (trust me on this)

  • 2–3 tbsp water (to thin it out to your preference)



How to Make It


  1. Toss everything in a bowl.

  2. Stir it up until smooth.

  3. Taste it and try not to eat it straight off the spoon.

  4. Stick it in the fridge overnight for best results (the flavors really get cozy).


But let’s be real… if you’re like me and patience is not your strong suit, go ahead and double the batch.


That way you can sneak some right away and still have a full jar waiting tomorrow.






Final Thoughts


I’ll be honest, this sauce may cause fights at the dinner table when someone takes the last spoonful. It’s THAT good.


Make it, dunk everything in it, and then come back and tell me if I’m wrong about it being better than the restaurant version.


I’ll wait. 😉













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