Japanese White Sauce: Keto-Friendly Or Forbidden Treat?

Yum-Yum sauce, also known as Japanese White Sauce, is a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce commonly served in Japanese restaurants. The traditional recipe contains unhealthy ingredients like sugar, canola oil, and modified starch, making it unsuitable for keto and low-carb diets. However, keto-friendly versions of the sauce can be made using alternative sweeteners and clean, whole food ingredients. These keto versions retain the delicious taste of the original sauce while adhering to dietary restrictions, making them a perfect condiment for those following a keto lifestyle.

What is Japanese white sauce?

Japanese white sauce, also known as yum-yum sauce, hibachi white sauce, or shrimp sauce, is a creamy, pinkish-white dipping sauce commonly served in Japanese steakhouses and some Mongolian BBQ restaurants. It is typically made with a mayonnaise base, with the pink colour coming from a touch of tomato paste, ketchup, or rice vinegar, and spices such as paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. The sauce is often served with hibachi fried rice, hibachi vegetables, and various proteins such as steak, shrimp, or chicken.

Japanese white sauce is considered a staple at many Japanese steakhouses and is known for its versatility and addictive flavour. While it is not traditionally Japanese and is instead an Americanised condiment, it has become a popular choice for enhancing the flavour of Asian-inspired dishes. The sauce can be whisked together in just a few minutes, but it is recommended to refrigerate it overnight to allow the flavours to blend and enhance the taste.

The basic ingredients of Japanese white sauce typically include mayonnaise, butter, tomato paste or ketchup, garlic powder, and paprika. Some variations may also include additional ingredients such as water, sugar, cayenne pepper, or vinegar, depending on personal preference and desired taste. The amount of sugar can be adjusted to make the sauce sweeter, and using smoked paprika adds a smokier flavour.

To make Japanese white sauce, simply melt the butter and let it cool to lukewarm. Then, mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl until they are well combined and smooth. It is important to ensure that the butter has cooled sufficiently to prevent breaking the mayonnaise emulsion. After mixing, cover and refrigerate the sauce overnight to allow the flavours to blend. Bring the sauce to room temperature before serving.

Japanese white sauce is a versatile condiment that can be enjoyed with a variety of dishes. It is commonly served as a dipping sauce for grilled meats, shrimp, rice balls, or vegetables. It can also be drizzled over fried rice, grilled meats, potatoes, or used as a salad dressing. The sauce is known for its addictive flavour and is often preferred over other sauces typically served in Japanese steakhouses.

Is Japanese white sauce keto-friendly?

Japanese white sauce, also known as Yum Yum Sauce, is a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce commonly served in Japanese restaurants as a dipping sauce or poured over meat, vegetables, and rice. While the traditional sauce contains sugar and other processed ingredients that are not keto-friendly, there are several keto-friendly versions of the sauce that can be made at home.

Ingredients in Traditional Japanese White Sauce

Japanese white sauce typically includes the following ingredients:

• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup or tomato paste
• Rice vinegar
• Butter
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Sweetener
• Paprika

Why Traditional Japanese White Sauce is Not Keto-Friendly

The traditional version of the sauce is not keto-friendly due to the presence of high-carb processed ingredients such as sugar, canola oil, and modified starch. A 100g serving of the sauce contains 13.33g of net carbs, which is well above the recommended daily net carb allowance of 20-30g for ketosis. Additionally, the sauce contains high-glycemic sweeteners like sugar and dextrose, which can raise blood sugar levels and prevent the body from reaching ketosis.

Keto-Friendly Alternatives

For those following a keto diet, there are several alternative ingredients that can be used to make a keto-friendly version of Japanese white sauce:

• Instead of regular mayonnaise, use avocado oil-based mayonnaise, which has a mild taste and is soybean-oil free.
• Substitute sugar-free ketchup or tomato paste for regular ketchup to reduce the carbohydrate content.
• Use a keto-friendly sweetener such as monk fruit, stevia, erythritol, or allulose instead of artificial sweeteners or refined sugar.
• Add spice to the sauce with chili garlic sauce, which is similar to sriracha but without the sugar and additives.

Benefits of Keto-Friendly Japanese White Sauce

Making a keto-friendly version of Japanese white sauce at home offers several benefits:

• It is free of added ingredients, sugars, and fillers, making it perfect for a low-carb or keto diet.
• It is dairy-free and gluten-free, accommodating various dietary restrictions.
• It can be used as a dipping sauce or poured over a variety of foods, including meat, vegetables, and cauliflower rice.

Storing Keto-Friendly Japanese White Sauce

Keto-friendly Japanese white sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It is not recommended to freeze the sauce as it may cause the mayonnaise to separate upon thawing.

How to make keto Japanese white sauce

Ingredients:

• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup (or tomato paste)
• Paprika
• Sriracha (optional)
• Butter
• Sweetener (optional)
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Rice vinegar (optional)
• Water

Method:

• Add the mayonnaise, ketchup, sriracha, butter, rice vinegar, sweetener, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika to a mixing bowl.
• Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
• Add water 1 teaspoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached. This sauce should not be thick; it should be easy to pour or spoon over food.
• Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.
• Enjoy your keto Japanese white sauce!

Tips:

• If you want to keep the carb count down, use sugar-free or reduced-sugar ketchup, or substitute tomato paste.
• Use sweet paprika instead of smoked paprika to avoid altering the flavor profile.
• If you don't like spicy food, feel free to omit the sriracha or use less of it.
• Don't skip the butter! It adds a traditional Japanese hibachi sauce flavor to the mix.
• You can use any sweetener of your choice, such as a powdered monk fruit blend.
• This sauce is very versatile and can be used as a dipping sauce, salad dressing, or poured over meat, vegetables, and rice.
• Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

How to store keto Japanese white sauce

Storing keto Japanese white sauce is simple. The sauce should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will last for up to two weeks. It is not suitable for freezing as it contains mayonnaise, which will separate and become runny when thawed.

To store, simply pour the sauce into an airtight container, such as a mason jar or a glass bottle with a stopper, and place it in the fridge. It is best to leave the sauce overnight before using it, as this will allow the flavours to meld together. However, it can be used immediately if needed.

It is important to note that keto Japanese white sauce is best consumed within a few days of preparation as it does not keep long-term.

Japanese white sauce keto substitutes

Japanese white sauce, also known as yum yum sauce, is not keto-friendly as it contains sugar and other harmful ingredients. However, you can easily make a keto-friendly version by substituting sugar with a low-carb sweetener. Here are some substitutes and variations to make your own keto-friendly Japanese white sauce:

Keto Yum Yum Sauce Substitutes:

• Mayonnaise: Use Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie mayo) or regular mayonnaise as the base for your sauce. Japanese mayo will give it a more authentic flavour, but regular mayo works just as well.
• Ketchup: Opt for sugar-free or reduced-sugar ketchup to keep the carb count down. You can also substitute ketchup with tomato paste.
• Butter: Butter adds a luxurious touch to the sauce. Make sure to include it for a more traditional Japanese hibachi sauce flavour.
• Sweetener: Use a low-carb sweetener such as erythritol or a powdered monk fruit blend. You can also experiment with other sugar substitutes that suit your taste.
• Spices: Include spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper to give your sauce a kick. You can adjust the amounts to your preference.
• Hot Sauce: If you like it spicy, add some hot sauce, sriracha, or chili garlic sauce. These options are better than traditional hot sauces, as they are not full of sugar and additives.
• Vinegar: Unseasoned rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be added for a tangier sauce.

Recipe Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients (except water) in a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. Add water gradually to achieve your desired consistency. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. The sauce will last for up to two weeks and will enhance in flavour over time.

Frequently asked questions