Yakisoba sauce is the key ingredient to creating the delicious flavour of Yakisoba. This popular street food dish is known for its signature savoury-sweet tangy sauce that adds a burst of flavor to the stir-fried noodles. The go-to is ‘Otafuku’ brand yakisoba sauce so here is my copycat recipe to make this classic sauce at home. Discover all the essential ingredients and tips here to make perfect yakisoba sauce at home to use for noodles and other dishes!
Table of contents
What is Yakisoba Sauce
Yakisoba sauce is a thick, dark brown sauce that is commonly used in Japanese cooking. It is specifically used as a condiment for yakisoba, a popular Japanese stir-fried noodle dish made from ramen noodles (not soba noodles, surprisingly) stir-fried with protein like pork and eggs and veggies like cabbage, bell peppers, carrots, and mushrooms.
The sauce is known for its savory-sweet and tangy flavor, which is achieved through a combination of ingredients such as soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup. The result is a rich and flavorful sauce that enhances the taste of yakisoba noodles. Its umami-packed taste makes it a staple in many Japanese households.
The sauce is also versatile and can be used for other dishes. It can be used to make stir-fry dishes such as chicken or shrimp with vegetables, as a marinade for meats, for fried rice seasoning, and as a sauce for Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki.
The Origin of Yakisoba Sauce
The root of yakisoba is said to be Chinese chow mein. When trade between China and Japan increased, Japanese people began to eat Chinese noodles seasoned with soy sauce or salt. However, in 1950 wheat flour was scarce and expensive in Japan after World War II so the amount of noodles in the dish had to be reduced and was replaced by cabbage. The increased cabbage meant more water which diluted the flavour of the soy sauce and led people to use worcestershire sauce instead.
The addition of cabbage and worcestershire sauce and further adaptation eventually created the now classic Japanese yakisoba dish with its signature tangy sauce. Nowadays, yakisoba sauce is easily accessible in supermarkets and is a commonly used ingredient in Japanese cuisine.
Otafuku Yakisoba Sauce
Otafuku is a popular food manufacturing company in Japan that produces and sells a variety of ingredients. It’s a very common go-to brand for yakisoba sauce, takoyaki flour and sauce, and okonomiyaki flour and other okonomiyaki related ingredients/sauces. This is the brand I always bought and used in Japan. Using Otafuku Yakisoba sauce always means success when recreating the sizzling aroma and flavour of street-style Yakisoba. The fragrance comes from a lot of onion and garlic and is flavourful from lots of vegetables. If you have access to Japanese or Asian grocery stores, you can likely find Otafuku yakisoba sauce there or you can get it online on places like Amazon. Otherwise you can also make it at home with this recipe!
Essential Ingredients
Those who are far away from Japanese or Asian grocery stores and also don’t really want to spend money on a bottle of sauce online, you can make yakisoba sauce from scratch! The taste of Yakisoba sauce seems so complicated but it is super easy to make if you have some basic Japanese condiments in your pantry.
To make an authentic yakisoba sauce at home, you will need the following essential ingredients:
Mix them all together to create the authentic taste of yakisoba sauce at home with perfectly balanced saltiness and sweetness!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Yakisoba Sauce
Making yakisoba sauce at home is easier than you might think. Follow these steps to create your own delicious sauce:
- Gather all the necessary ingredients: soy sauce, Tonkatsu sauce, Worcestershire sauce, oyster sauce, tomato ketchup, sugar, mirin, sake, pinch of salt and pepper.
- In a small saucepan, combine the ingredients over medium heat.
- Stir the mixture until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce is well combined.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool before transferring it to a jar or bottle for storage.
Once the sauce has cooled, it is ready to be used in your favorite yakisoba recipe or stored in the refrigerator for future use.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Yakisoba Sauce
Here are some tips and tricks to help you achieve the perfect flavor and consistency for your yakisoba sauce:
- Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add more sugar or even a touch of honey. Conversely, if you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of sugar.
- Add heat: For a spicy kick, you can add a small amount of chili paste or hot sauce to the sauce.
- Experiment with additional flavors: While the basic yakisoba sauce recipe is delicious on its own, you can customize it by adding other ingredients such as garlic powder or onion powder.
It’s easy to tailor this yakisoba sauce recipe to your personal taste preferences and create a truly delicious homemade version.
Creative Ways to Use Beyond Noodles
This recipe will make about 1/2 cup of Yakisoba sauce, which is roughly 2-3 serves. You can use any leftovers of the sauce to create more delicious dishes. While yakisoba sauce is traditionally used as a condiment for yakisoba noodles, its versatility extends beyond just this dish. Here are some creative ways to use yakisoba sauce in your cooking:
- Marinade for meats for stir fry : Use yakisoba sauce as a marinade for chicken, pork, shrimp, or beef. Let the meat soak in the sauce for a few hours before grilling or stir-frying.
- Use it as a substitute for Okonimiyaki sauce or Takoyaki sauce.
- Dipping sauce: Serve yakisoba sauce as a dipping sauce for katsu dishes such as Tonkatsu, and chicken katsu. The tangy and savory flavor pairs well with crispy fried foods.
- Glaze for vegetables and rice: Toss roasted or stir-fried vegetables in yakisoba sauce to add a burst of flavor. You can also use it as a glaze for yaki onigiri or to season sobameshi.
- Burger topping: Spread a dollop of yakisoba sauce on your burger or sandwiches such as katsu sando or ebi katsu sando for a unique twist.
- Pizza sauce alternative: Use yakisoba sauce as a base for homemade pizza instead of traditional tomato sauce. It adds a tangy and savory element that pairs well with cheese and other toppings.
Storing and shelf life of homemade Yakisoba sauce
The recipe makes about 1/2 cup and I usually use it all when I make yakisoba. If you have any leftovers, keep it in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. Use it within one month.
Here is my recipe for Yakisoba Sauce and If you liked it, please rate it and leave a comment below. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Youtube, Pinterest, Facebook , Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with all the latest happenings on Chopstick Chronicles. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ChopstickChronicles so I can see your wonderful creations!
Yakisoba sauce 焼きそばソース
Ingredients
- 1 tbs sake
- 1 tbs mirin
- 1 tbs soy sauce
- 1 tbs tonkatsu sauce *1
- 1.5 tbs worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbs oyster sauce
- 1 tbs tomato ketchup
- 1 tsp sugar
- pinch salt and pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- In a small saucepan, combine the ingredients over medium heat.
- Stir the mixture until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce is well combined.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool before transferring it to a jar or bottle for storage.
Great recipe! I have finally found what I was looking for!
I appreciate the clarification re Worcestershire. I thought it was wrong. I tried different yakisoba sauce recipes. This is the first time I’ve learned the difference. I look forward to trying the Japanese style Worcestershire!
You are welcome 😀 Lynda
Caution for European people making this: Japanese “Worcestershire sauce” is not the same as English Worcestershire sauce. It is thicker and with a different flavour profile. It’s called “usta” sauce in Japan, and I think it’d be more accurate to use this term on English-language sites.
To get the flavour right, you need to get the Bulldog brand sauce (or similar Japanese brand) that you can see in the images above. Don’t get Lea and Perrins! If you can’t get Japanese sauce, the closest equivalent would be “brown sauce”, like HP. Brown sauces are a bit more tangy, so it’s probably good to add a little more of the other ingredients to balance it out (especially a little more sugar/honey for sweetness).
Oh I wasn’t aware that European worcestershire sauce is different, thanks for the information! 🙂
Thank you will try to make it!
You are welcome Sammia 😀
I will be making this sauce over and over!
Me too, Thank you Wilhelmina ;D
I’m looking forward to trying this yummy sauce!
Thank you Elizabeth, you will love it 😀
I want to put this sauce on all the things!!!
That is what I do Wilhelmina 😀 Thank you!
I LOVE your homemade version! This is a marvelous way to boost the flavor of so many dishes!
Ohhhh Thank you Liz 😀
Your delicious homemade yakisoba sauce recipe was perfect for 2 packs of yakisoba noodles & veggies!! 🙂
Thank you Rona 😀