The Daring Gourmet

Grappling Each Dish By The Horns

Sign up for our newsletter!
No SPAM. Ever.Check out our privacy policy
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Home & Garden
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Shop

Home » Food » By Type of Dish » Sauces, Seasonings and Condiments » Ginger Sauce (Japanese Steakhouse)

Ginger Sauce (Japanese Steakhouse)

February 6, 2021 by Kimberly Killebrew · 32 Comments

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure policy.

3150 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Benihaha Ginger Sauce Recipe (Copycat).  Enjoy your favorite Japanese steakhouse experience right at home with this fresh and zingy homemade ginger sauce.  Drizzle this over or mix it in with your fried rice, grilled veggies, or use it as a dipping sauce.  

ginger sauce recipe benihana copycat hibachi Japanese steakhouse dipping sushi

What is Ginger Sauce?

If you’ve been to a Japanese steakhouse before, you probably already know how irresistible ginger sauce is.  If not, you’re definitely in for a treat. When I make a hibachi style dinner at home, I dip practically everything into this mouthwatering sauce. I think the perfect bite of hibachi is 50% meat, 50% ginger sauce.  Okay, maybe that ratio is slightly off but you know what I mean…it’s THAT good!  

Hibachi cooking originated in Japan where the first modern hibachi restaurant opened in the 1940’s.  A couple of decades later, in the 1960’s, hibachi found its way to the United States and it has been wildly popular ever since, taking a prominent seat in American restaurant culture.  Both Ginger Sauce and Yum Yum Sauce are the most popular Japanese steakhouse hibachi sauces.  If you’ve been to the the popular Benihana Japanese Steakhouse chain you’ll know that their ginger sauce is their #1 requested sauce.  

The ingredients in this copycat Benihana ginger sauce recipe are simple, fresh, and simply incredible when they’re all blended together.  It’s made with just 6 ingredients that may already have on hand and it’s whipped up in just a matter of seconds.  Once you make a batch at home, you’ll see why I’m singing the praises of this sauce!

This ginger dipping sauce recipe is also vegan friendly.  You don’t need shrimp or steak to dip into it, either. You can mix this sauce in with your fried rice, noodles, hibachi grilled vegetables, etc, or use it as a dipping sauce for your veggie egg rolls.  

ginger sauce recipe benihana copycat hibachi Japanese steakhouse dipping sushi

How to use Ginger Sauce

There are a number of ways you can enjoy this delicious Japanese steakhouse ginger sauce. While I love using mine to dip in hibachi cooked steak, chicken, pork, shrimp, and grilled veggies, you can also use it as a dipping sauce for wontons, potstickers, egg rolls, and sushi. It’s also great drizzled over rice and noodles.  Or spoon some onto salmon steaks and then bake or grill them. 

grilled steaks on grill

And if you want to elevate your salad skills, use this sauce as a dressing over your favorite leafy greens.  Just add some oil to it, give a thorough shake, and pour.  It’s a great way to add flavor and zing to your salads!

ginger sauce recipe benihana copycat hibachi Japanese steakhouse dipping sushi

Ginger Sauce Recipe

Let’s get started!

As previously mentioned, this homemade ginger sauce can be made in just a few minutes. You might already have some of the ingredients on hand and the cleanup afterwards is also quick and easy. 

To make this sauce, you just need to place everything into a blender and then blend it all together until it’s smooth.  That’s all there’s to it!

Store it in an airtight jar in the fridge where it will keep for up to 5 days.

processing ingredients in blender

Ingredient Notes:

  •  If you want the ginger to be less pronounced, you can use less than what the recipe calls for. If you really want the ginger to stand out, use a little bit more.
  • You can substitute low sodium soy sauce for the tamari but we highly recommend using tamari.  Tamari has a richer, deeper, more complex flavor than soy sauce and so is particularly suited for dipping.   
  • The brown sugar provides a nice balance of sweetness to spicy zing of the ginger but it is entirely optional.

ginger sauce recipe benihana copycat hibachi Japanese steakhouse dipping sushi

Be sure to try these other delicious Asian sauces: 

  • Yum Yum Sauce
  • Black Bean Sauce
  • Hoisin Sauce
  • Jerk Sauce
  • Char Siu Sauce
  • Sweet Chili Sauce
  • Teriyaki Sauce
  • Sweet and Sour Sauce
ginger sauce recipe benihana copycat hibachi Japanese steakhouse dipping sushi

Ginger Sauce (Japanese Steakhouse)

Kimberly Killebrew
Enjoy your favorite Japanese steakhouse experience right at home with this fresh and zingy homemade ginger sauce!
Print Recipe
4.93 from 14 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course condiment, Sauce
Cuisine American, Japanese
Servings 6
Calories 16 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger root , peeled (use more or less depending on strength preference)
  • 1/3 cup tamari (highly recommended for the best flavor, but can substitute low sodium soy sauce)
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • zest and juice of one lemon (1 1/2-2 tablespoons juice)
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Place everything in a blender and blend until smooth. 
    Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. 
    Makes about 3/4 cup ginger sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 16kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 721mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
Keyword Ginger Sauce, Hibachi Sauce
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet
3150 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

32 Comments →

« Albondigas Soup (Mexican Meatball Soup)
Asian Salad Dressing »

32 Responses

  1. Hambone says

    October 1, 2023 at 4:02 pm

    My wife and I used to go to a hibachi habitually when we were in the Navy. When she tried this her pupils dilated and she punched my shoulder and yelled “Oh my god!” It is that good. Thank you for this recipe

    Reply
    • Kimberly Killebrew says

      October 1, 2023 at 6:42 pm

      That’s awesome, Hambone, I’m thrilled it was a hit – thank you! :)

      Reply
  2. Chris says

    September 12, 2023 at 8:45 am

    Can it be frozen?

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 19, 2023 at 7:06 pm

      Yes it can, Chris.

      Reply
  3. Jonathan says

    July 7, 2023 at 7:49 am

    Thank you for this recipe! My family tried for years back in the 90’s and early 2000’s to replicate this sauce. It only took me two tries and that’s because I doubted the amount of brown sugar you suggested. Following the recipe exactly made it perfect! You’ve made me a hero to my family. Haha!

    Reply
    • Kimberly Killebrew says

      July 7, 2023 at 7:30 pm

      Woohoo, that’s awesome, Jonathan! I’m so glad you found what you were looking for and that it was a hit, thanks so much for the feedback!

      Reply
« Older Comments

Add your Response Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Welcome!  I’m Kimberly and I share delicious originals, revitalized classics and authentic dishes from around the world.  Come travel the world through your taste buds!

Sign up for our newsletter!

Receive the latest from The Daring Gourmet!

No SPAM. Ever.Check out our privacy policy
  • About
  • Request
  • Contact
  • Privacy

Copyright © 2023 · The Daring Gourmet · All Rights Reserved

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Home & Garden
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Shop

FREE EMAIL BONUS

REVEALED!

My Favorite Recipes

Get my latest FREE recipes
Straight to Your Inbox