Tonkatsu Sauce Recipe

Name: Tonkatsu Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 0.5 cup ketchup; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet wine); 1.5 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger; 1 clove garlic, minced

Ingredients

cup ketchup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet wine)
1 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, minced

Directions

Step 1: Gather all the ingredients you need to prepare the sauce.

Step 2: In a bowl, mix together ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, Worcestershire sauce, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Stir well until everything is combined.

Step 3: Allow the sauce to sit for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together before serving.

Recipe Tip

This sauce is ready in just 30 minutes, but it tastes even better if you refrigerate it for a full day before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving (8 servings in total):

Calories: 29
Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Protein: 1g
Sodium: 404mg (18% Daily Value)
Total Sugars: 6g
Vitamin C: 3mg (3% Daily Value)
Calcium: 7mg (1% Daily Value)
Iron: 0mg (1% Daily Value)
Potassium: 79mg (2% Daily Value)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Tonkatsu Sauce Recipe

History and Origin of Tonkatsu Sauce

Tonkatsu sauce is a beloved condiment that hails from Japan, where it is primarily used to accompany tonkatsu, a deep-fried pork cutlet. Its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century when Japanese cuisine began to incorporate Western-style cooking techniques. The sauce is an adaptation of Worcestershire sauce, which was introduced to Japan during the Meiji period (18681912), when Western goods and ingredients were being imported into the country. The unique Japanese take on this sauce adds a distinctive blend of sweetness and savory depth, making it perfect for fried foods like tonkatsu.

Regional Variations of Tonkatsu Sauce

While tonkatsu sauce is generally consistent in flavor, it does have regional variations in Japan. In regions like Osaka, the sauce may have a thicker consistency and a sweeter taste, while in other areas like Tokyo, it may lean more toward savory flavors with a stronger tanginess. This difference is often influenced by local preferences for sweetness or acidity in sauces. Some versions of tonkatsu sauce also include additional ingredients like fruit purees or spices to create a more complex taste profile.

How Tonkatsu Sauce Differs from Similar Sauces

At first glance, tonkatsu sauce might seem similar to other Asian sauces like teriyaki or oyster sauce, but it has its own distinct characteristics. Unlike teriyaki sauce, which is heavily sweetened with sugar and typically used as a marinade or glaze, tonkatsu sauce has a more balanced flavor profile with tangy, sweet, and umami notes. It's also thicker than Worcestershire sauce, giving it a richer texture. The inclusion of ingredients like mirin and ginger also sets it apart from other sauces in the same family, adding both sweetness and a gentle kick.

Where Is Tonkatsu Sauce Typically Served?

Traditionally, tonkatsu sauce is served with tonkatsu, which consists of breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets. However, this versatile sauce can also be paired with other fried dishes like chicken cutlets, tempura, and even croquettes. In Japan, it is common to find tonkatsu sauce used as a dipping sauce for a variety of breaded and fried foods in restaurants, food stalls, and even in homes. It's also used in fusion dishes like "katsu curry," where the sauce complements the rich and hearty curry sauce.

Interesting Facts About Tonkatsu Sauce

1. Its a staple in Japanese kitchens: Tonkatsu sauce is a must-have in most Japanese households, not just for tonkatsu, but also for other dishes like okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) and yakisoba (fried noodles).

2. Its often made from scratch: While commercial versions of tonkatsu sauce are widely available, many home cooks prefer to make their own from a base of ketchup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and other ingredients like ginger and garlic.

3. Its more than just a sauce: In Japan, tonkatsu sauce is sometimes referred to as a secret weapon because it can elevate even the most basic fried foods to new culinary heights.

4. Global adaptation: The sauce has become popular outside Japan as well. Many Western restaurants and food enthusiasts have adopted tonkatsu sauce to complement various fried dishes, making it a truly global condiment.

FAQ about Tonkatsu Sauce Recipe

Tonkatsu sauce should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can last for up to 2 weeks. If you want to store it for a longer period, you can freeze the sauce in small portions for up to 3 months.

Yes, you can make Tonkatsu sauce ahead of time. In fact, it tends to develop better flavor if allowed to sit for a day or two in the refrigerator before using.

If you don't have mirin, you can substitute it with a combination of dry sherry and sugar, or use a mix of apple cider vinegar and sugar in a 1:1 ratio. You can also try using white wine or rice vinegar as an alternative.

Yes, you can use garlic powder in place of fresh garlic. For this recipe, use about 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove of garlic.

Traditional Tonkatsu sauce contains soy sauce, which typically contains gluten. However, you can substitute regular soy sauce with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make this sauce gluten-free.

Tonkatsu sauce is not typically spicy. It has a balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, but if you prefer some heat, you can add a small amount of sriracha or chili flakes to suit your taste.

Besides serving with fried pork cutlets, Tonkatsu sauce can also be used as a dip for other breaded and fried foods such as chicken cutlets, shrimp, or sweet potato fries. It also makes a great topping for burgers and grilled meats.

Yes, you can adjust the sweetness of Tonkatsu sauce. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a little more brown sugar or honey. For a less sweet version, reduce the amount of sugar or substitute it with a sugar alternative.

Tonkatsu sauce is traditionally served with fried pork cutlets (tonkatsu) but can also be used with other fried foods like chicken cutlets, shrimp, and even vegetables like sweet potato fries or onion rings.

For the best flavor, let the Tonkatsu sauce sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. If possible, refrigerate it for a day before serving for even better results.

Comments

lutzflcat

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

Used this as a dipping sauce for chicken and pork potstickers. Didn't have any mirin, so I substituted dry sherry which worked out great. I will be trying this with chicken tenders soon, but we actually enjoyed this sauce with the potstickers better than our typical peanut or sweet & sour dipping sauces. It has just the right balance of sweetness and tang, and mixes up in minutes with ingredients I always have on hand. I can see this being used on many, many things, just flat out tasty!

FlashyYak2383

03/15/2023 03:36:51 PM

Good recipe and good measurements, however, I add in 2 crushed cloves. Also, once all ingredients are mixed together I put it on the hob until hot. Brings out more flavour.

nikolawannabe

06/05/2017 08:48:30 PM

Good recipe, fiance loved it. I swapped out the soy sauce for my soy sauce replacement (beef bone broth, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, molasses, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, fish sauce ), and the ginger for cinnamon for allergy reasons. Worked fine.

Shii

02/10/2018 12:09:02 PM

Had my doubts going in and they proved correct. I had all the ingredients at home and used precise measures. Ended up tweaking it with alot more soy sauce and powdered mustard and simmered in a pan until nice and dark, then put it through a sieve and cooled. For my own taste I added sriracha as well.

Priscilla Yoshizawa Wagner

09/27/2020 11:40:45 PM

When I couldn't find my fave Katsu sauce at the grocery store, I found this recipe and ended up buying Mirin, since I had all the other ingredients. Turned out, I had frozen ginger so ended up using 1/8 tsp ginger powder. I didn't like the texture of this. Too thick using the ketchup as a base. So, I added a touch more of the liquids: Mirin, Worcestershire Sauce and shoyu. I liked the consistency better and my husband thought it was good. Next time, I'll tweak it a bit more to make it more spicy.

digitalsignalx

10/28/2019 04:47:25 AM

This is a delightfully flavorful sauce, and with a few tweaks like salt free ketchup and coconut Aminos for the soy, very low sodium as well! I served it with the Tonkatsu pork loin recipe on this site and it was the perfect compliment.

Lori

11/02/2019 02:33:00 PM

I love this! Instead of brown sugar I used 1 1/2 tbsp of raw, unfiltered honey. It was a hit with family. Thank you so much for recipe.

Carol Matsumoto

08/09/2025 11:01:23 PM

Perfect balance of savory, sweet and acid (Mirin). I added a a little extra ginger and a few drops of Red Boat, just for fun. Great recipe!

IcyOil5747

01/06/2025 12:44:06 AM

I didn't have mirin nor any other cooking alcohol so if you don't have that you can also you apple cider vinegar or regular and do a 1:1 ratio with vinegar and sugar

Stormie Samantha Drake

12/27/2019 07:14:57 AM

I made this as per the recipe and it doesn't taste like katsu sauce that I've ever had. This definitely tastes like ketchup. I ended up adding more soy sauce & about 1 teaspoon of BBQ sauce that I had on hand that I thought would blend well with the flavors and it finally tasted more like the katsu I've had at Japanese restaurants. This tastes too tomato-y. I do like the color, thickness, and appearance of this sauce though compared to other recipes. This feels like it was missing something and I'm unsure what exactly that taste is and how to make it taste less like tomatoes.

rusty

02/05/2019 04:22:42 AM

we loved it for dipping breaded and fried pork tenderloins and chicken cutlets and Mahi Mahi and pork egg rolls. we doubled the ginger because we love ginger.

Carol

09/18/2025 07:00:10 PM

Great dipping sauce for chicken and shrimp💓

Karin W.

09/04/2025 08:49:12 PM

So easy to make, and it's delicious on all kinds of foods in addition to tonkatsu: sweet potato fries, corn dogs, chicken nuggets... a keeper shelf recipe!

Sarah Adams

04/09/2025 08:44:45 AM

Couldn’t believe how easy it was.

Melissa Clark

01/16/2025 12:35:26 AM

Everyone loved it at dinner.

Kevin

12/31/2024 09:38:53 PM

Tastes exactly as it should. Easy to make.

Anna Lopez

11/25/2024 05:01:34 PM

I made it with my daughter — so fun!

Catmother MissKitty

03/19/2024 08:52:06 PM

I am a ginger monster so my ginger might be too much for some people…hubby loved the taste…a new Sunday supper…

Donna Warner- Raskin

07/06/2023 01:44:08 AM

“Doctored” the sauce just a bit. I added a bit extra Worcestershire, soy and as well and mirin. I may add some dry mustard next time. EXCELLENT!!!

TealFries7004

06/02/2022 01:21:05 AM

Delicious with Katsua pork.

audio version

Cook Time: 15 minutes