OurLittleCorner

April 21, 2026 – Ann is in OurLittleCorner today

It’s Saucy

When your younger grandson is about to take off for Thailand to spend his UC Santa Cruz spring quarter abroad, there’s no question but that he should have a special dinner before he leaves. Perhaps a Japanese-inspired meal? I know, I know. You’re asking why not Thai? And that’s a legitimate question. It’s because I’m a little obsessed with variations of Japanese sauces at the moment.

Gomae Sauce (also spelled goma-ae) for asparagus or spinach, Carrot Ginger Sauce for any crisp green salad, Strawberry Sauce for Japanese cheesecake, Scallion Miso Butter Sauce (recipe below) for Japanese sweet potatoes, Sesame Noodle Sauce (recipe below) for cold ramen noodle salad , and Yum Yum Sauce (recipe below) for most anything, including chicken, rice, shrimp, and grilled beef

My obsession with Japanese sauces may be directly related to my obsession with miso…and with Japanese sweet potatoes.

Japanese sweet potatoes – roasted at 425 degrees for about an hour, then mashed a little with a fork and served with a mixture of 1T miso and 4T butter blended with a few tablespoons of finely chopped scallions (enough for 2 potatoes…unless, like me, you’re a butter/miso fanatic, in which case double that amount)
Sesame Noodle Sauce for Japanese Slaw: equal amounts soy sauce, rice vinegar, Kewpie mayonnaise, toasted sesame oil and olive oil – plus a teeny bit of sugar to taste; a tablespoon of white miso wouldn’t hurt either

There was a tasting test at our Going-Away-to-Thailand Japanese-themed dinner party. The Scallion Miso Butter Sauce and Yum Yum sauce were the unanimous winners, though there was some disagreement as to whether Strawberry Sauce could be included in the vote, since it was deemed a questionable entry.

A note to all of you legitimate Japanese foodies: I am aware that Yum Yum Sauce has nothing to do with authentic Japanese food and a lot to do with American hibachi style restaurants such as Benihana. NPR did an interesting history of the sauce in a 2019 report; several chefs who were mentioned sell similar bottled sauces, including Terry Ho. Ho, born in Taiwan in 1964, opened more than 20 Hibachi Express restaurants in the Southern U.S. And he serves and sells an incredibly popular sauce he labeled”Yum Yum Sauce,” thinking that was a way more appealing name than Shrimp Sauce or White Sauce or Vegetable Sauce. I’m sure you’d agree.

Terry Ho began selling his sauce in 2012 in Georgia

Before I reveal today’s easy homemade Japanese-style Yum Yum Sauce recipe, I have to give Thailand a heads up and share one of their most famous – and easy to make sauces – Nam Jim Jaew. After all, this should have been a blog about Thai food.

(And a quick aside: Here’s a just-shared report from Bangkok and our grandson: did you know that folks in Bangkok rarely cook? There are so many good little places to eat and the food is so cheap and apartments are so small, it’s easier to just go out to eat. Even I think this sounds pretty awesome.)

Nam Jim Jaew – a Thai Dipping Sauce

Nam Jim Jaew - Thai Dipping Sauce

  • Servings: depends - but this should be enough for 4
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This sauce is especially good with anything grilled…steak, chicken, salmon.

  • 1 1/2 tsp Thai tamarind paste (optional)
  • 2 T fish sauce
  • 2 T  lime juice 
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 1/2 T finely minced  green onion 
  • 2 T minced shallots
  • 1 T toasted rice powder (optional but traditional)
  • 1/2 – 2 tsp red Birds Eye chili or Thai chili , deseeded, and finely minced (optional); dried red chili flakes will work too

Combine all ingredients and stir to dissolve the sugar.

This dipping sauce is best used within a few hours of making it – but it can be refrigerated for several days.

Recipe brought to you by BigLittleMeals.com and Andy and Ann.

Homemade Yum Yum Sauce

Homemade Yum Yum Sauce

Serve it with chicken, rice, shrimp, grilled beef; spread it on burgers; dip your cooked or uncooked veggies in it. Thin it with a little water and use it for a salad dressing. The inspiration for my Yum Yum sauce recipe comes from TheWoksOfLife.com

  • 1 T melted butter
  • 1/2 c Kewpie mayonnaise (other brands work too)
  • 2 T ketchup
  • 1 T rice vinegar (preferably unsweetened)
  • 1 tsp sriracha – or more to taste
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Diamond kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)

Melt the butter and let cool, then add the remaining ingredients and whisk together until smooth.

Recipe brought to you by BigLittleMeals.com and Andy and Ann.

8 thoughts on “It’s Saucy”

  2. Anonymous

    Hi Ann!! Our daughter Cherie has lived in Chaing Mia Thailand for the last 5 years! This summer moving to Warsaw Poland for 3 years. Hope he likes Thailand.

    Reply

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