The BEST Japanese condiment! My 4-ingredient tonkatsu sauce recipe tastes just like the real thing and pairs beautifully with katsu cutlets, croquettes and okonomiyaki. I use so much of it at my place, we’re always running out. Lucky it only takes 5 minutes to make a new batch!
I was using so much tonkatsu sauce in my kitchen, it was becoming a problem. Almost every time I’d whip up a batch of crispy tofu or a crunchy katsu sandwich for lunch, I’d open the fridge to find an empty bottle of Bulldog tonkatsu staring back at me. After a few too many last minute trips to the Japanese grocery store to buy a new bottle, I set out to create a homemade version I could whip up with pantry ingredients.
And it works! My homemade tonkatsu sauce is sweet, tangy and savory – just like the Japanese original. Now I’m never more than a few minutes away from digging into okonomiyaki smothered in my favorite condiments: Japanese mayonnaise and, of course, tonkatsu sauce.
What is Tonkatsu Sauce? And What Does it Mean? Expand For More.
Tonkatsu sauce – とんかつソース – (sometimes also referred to as katsu sauce) is a sweet and tangy Japanese condiment used for dipping or as a sauce for sandwiches. It’s made using a mixture of fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, celery, carrots, apples, and prunes, a variety of spices, and condiments such as soy sauce and vinegar.
The word tonkatsu actually means pork cutlet so the literal translation for tonkatsu sauce is pork cutlet sauce. It’s sold in Asian stores next to the ketchup and barbecue sauce. The Bulldog brand is by far the most popular tonkatsu sauce and is sold in three different flavors – Worcestershire (a spicier version), semi-sweet, and classic.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This
- Authentic taste. Easy to make. Real deal Japanese flavor. 5 minutes, 4 ingredients.
- Versatile condiment and kid friendly. Works with both Japanese and Western recipes. Kids love it on nuggets.
- Long shelf life. Since the base ingredients I’m using already have a long shelf life themselves, this tonkatsu sauce can be kept in the fridge for months. I can make a big bottle of it, refrigerate and never worry about it.
Ingredients
Scroll to the bottom of this page for the full recipe steps and measurements.
- Ketchup: Ketchup adds a tangy sweetness. Luckily, I always have a bottle in the fridge.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Expect plenty of smokiness, umami – and peppery tang from Worcestershire sauce. I use about 1/4 cup.
- Sugar: You’ll only need a teaspoon or so.
- Soy Sauce: I rely on a couple teaspoons of soy sauce for umami and saltiness.
How to Make Tonkatsu Sauce
- Whisk the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and soy sauce in a bowl and serve. It’s that simple!
Adjusting the Taste
I created this recipe to mimic the taste of Bulldog’s classic tonkatsu sauce as closely as possible. Here are two easy options to adjust the flavor to your preference:
- If you prefer something bolder, add a little more Worcestershire sauce. It’s a complex blend of umami, tangy, sweet and peppery.
- If you prefer it sweeter, add more ketchup and a sprinkle of sugar. You could also substitute honey for sugar.
Vegan Option
Since traditional Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies, my tonkatsu sauce recipe isn’t vegan as written. However, you can use vegan Worcestershire instead. Or you can make your own vegan Worcestershire sauce by combining 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1/8 teaspoon onion powder, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger with a pinch of salt and a pinch of allspice.
Use instead of the traditional Worcestershire sauce when making vegan tonkatsu sauce.
Storage
Store homemade tonkatsu sauce in a jar and refrigerate for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tonkatsu sauce is part of a triumvirate of Japanese style sauces, unsurprisingly called ‘sauce’ (ソース) – [pronounced so-su]. While the tastes of these sauces may be slightly different, many of the base ingredients are the same. You can use usuta sauce (ウスターソース), which is a thinner and more watery version, or chuno sauce (中濃ソース), which is more of a split-the-difference type of sauce in terms of viscosity.
Like a sweeter version of a classic barbecue sauce. It’s not as smoky and has a fruitier taste.
Of course! I recommend using Bulldog because it’s the most famous and loved brand in Japan (and all over the world). My whole family in Japan uses it, and we do as well!
Tonkatsu sauce is fairly easy to find. In bigger cities like New York and Los Angeles, you might be able to find it at regular grocery stores. If not, Asian supermarkets and Japanese grocery stores will have it. Or, you can order tonkatsu sauce online.
What to Serve with Tonkatsu Sauce
Since this sauce was originally intended for breaded pork cutlets, it naturally goes well with fried foods. I find that tonkatsu sauce also makes a delicious dipping sauce or condiment for foods like French fries, burgers, and sandwiches. Basically, I use it like I would use barbecue sauce.
Some of my favorite dishes to pair with this sauce are:
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Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About 1/2 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Mixing Bowl
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Meet Japan’s version of barbecue sauce! This is a deliciously sweet and smoky Japanese tonkatsu sauce made with just 4 ingredients, and ready in 5 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and serve.
Notes
Refrigerate in a jar or covered container for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 6.9g
- Sodium: 399.3mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9.7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Questions and Reviews
This is my favorite katsu sauce. I do add garlic and ginger.