5 Minute Recipes/ Asian Recipes/ Condiments and Sauces/ Japanese/ Recipes

Takoyaki Sauce – Super Simple Japanese Sauce Recipe

02/10/2019 (Last Updated: 22/02/2023)

A super simple recipe for homemade Takoyaki Sauce, PERFECT for drizzling over crispy golden takoyaki (Japanese octopus snacks). Sweet, tangy and oh-so-delicious, this amazing Japanese sauce works well with other Japanese dishes like Japanese savoury pancakes and yakisoba noodles too.

Bowl of homemade Takoyaki Sauce with Japanese takoyaki balls in the background.

Why We Love This

With a sweet, fruity flavour and classic Japanese umami hit, takoyaki sauce is so delicious you’ll want to drizzle it over anything and everything. It’s super simple and easy to make, especially if you regularly enjoy Japanese cuisine at home. 

This sauce is so versatile you can use it for way more than just takoyaki. Why not try it out as a marinade or basting sauce for meat!

And okay, yes you COULD buy pre made sauce at an Asian grocery or import store. But if you don’t have that option nearby or just love tinkering in the kitchen creating your own sauce blends, then this recipe is for you!

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Related: Yakisoba Sauce / Okonomiyaki Sauce / Yakitori Sauce

Bowl of homemade Takoyaki Sauce in white bowl with spoon.

What is Takoyaki Sauce made of? 

You’ll need only four ingredients to make this quick and easy homemade takoyaki sauce: Worcestershire sauce, mentsuyu (try our homemade mentsuyu if you can’t source this locally), ketchup or tomato sauce, and sugar!

How to make Takoyaki Sauce from scratch

This simple homemade sauce couldn’t be easier:

  • Simply pop all your ingredients into a small bowl and mix together. 
  • Taste your sauce and add more of any ingredient until you’re satisfied with the flavour. 
  • Enjoy!
Bowl of homemade Takoyaki Sauce in white bowl with spoon.

Wandercooks Tips

  • You can use store bought or homemade mentsuyu.
  • European style worcestershire sauce tends to be quite tangy, while Japanese-style worcestershire sauces are often sweeter. If you know your worcestershire sauce brand is QUITE tangy, you might like to adjust the amount in your version to compensate. Ultimately it’s up to your personal flavour preference!
  • Feel free to use leftover sauce for other Japanese recipes – it’s a winner for okonomiyaki and yakisoba too! Or why not try it as your next marinade or sauce for oysters kilpatrick!

FAQs

Are okonomiyaki sauce and takoyaki sauce the same?

Okonomiyaki sauce and takoyaki sauce are quite similar, and you could use either as a substitute for the other in a pinch. There are subtle differences in flavour, fruitiness, colour and thickness which make each sauce the best choice for its chosen dish.

What does takoyaki sauce taste like?

The blend of fruity, tangy worcestershire sauce and aromatic kombu/soy flavours in mentsuyu give this sauce a delicious umami kick. The sauce is also a little sweeter than other Japanese brown sauces, offsetting the saltiness of crispy golden fried takoyaki balls perfectly!

How long does it last?

For the best flavour and quality, use up your sauce within one week. Always store any unused sauce in the refrigerator, so it stays nice and fresh.

Variations

  • If you don’t feel like making mentsuyu or can’t source it locally, you can leave it out. Optionally, try adding a dash of soy and a pinch of kombu dashi powder diluted in 2 tsp water. 
  • For our Australian readers, ketchup can be substituted with regular tomato sauce. 

Now that you’ve mastered the recipe for the sauce, it’s time to cook takoyaki! So, get your hands on our delicious takoyaki recipe here

★ Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and star rating below!

Bowl of homemade Takoyaki Sauce with Japanese takoyaki balls in the background.

Takoyaki Sauce

A quick and easy recipe for homemade Takoyaki Sauce, PERFECT for drizzling over crispy golden takoyaki (Japanese octopus snacks). Sweet, tangy and oh-so-delicious, it’s also an amazing sauce for other Japanese dishes like okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) and yakisoba (crispy fried noodles).
5 from 14 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Japanese
Servings: 1 jar
Calories: 158kcal
Author: Wandercooks
Cost: $5

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp mentsuyu homemade or store-bought
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tsp tomato sauce / ketchup (tomato sauce)
  • 2 tsp honey
  • ½ tsp garlic minced or powder
  • ½ tsp ginger minced or powder

Instructions

  • Simply pop all your ingredients (mentsuyu, worcestershire sauce, oyster sauce, tomato sauce, honey, garlic and ginger) into a small bowl and mix together. 
    4 tbsp mentsuyu, 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tsp tomato sauce / ketchup, 2 tsp honey, ½ tsp garlic, ½ tsp ginger
  • Taste your sauce and add more of any ingredient until you’re satisfied with the flavour. Enjoy!

Video

YouTube video

Recipe Notes

  • You can use store bought, or make your own at home
  • European style worcestershire sauce tends to be quite tangy, while Japanese-style worcestershire sauces are often sweeter. If you know your worcestershire sauce brand is QUITE tangy, you might like to adjust the amount in your version to compensate. Ultimately it’s up to your personal flavour preference!
  • Feel free to use leftover takoyaki sauce for other Japanese recipes – it’s a winner for okonomiyaki and yakisoba too! Or why not try it as your next marinade or basting sauce?
  • Are okonomiyaki sauce and takoyaki sauce the same? Okonomiyaki sauce and takoyaki sauce are quite similar, and you could use either as a substitute for the other in a pinch. There are subtle differences in flavour, fruitiness, colour and thickness which make each sauce the best choice for its chosen dish.
  • What does takoyaki sauce taste like? The blend of fruity, tangy worcestershire sauce and aromatic kombu/soy flavours in mentsuyu give takoyaki sauce a delicious umami kick. Takoyaki sauce is a little sweeter than other Japanese brown sauces, offsetting the saltiness of crispy golden fried takoyaki balls perfectly!
  • How long does takoyaki sauce last? For the best flavour and quality, use your hHomemade takoyaki sauce within one week. Always store any unused sauce in the refrigerator.

Variations & Substitutes

  • If you don’t feel like making mentsuyu or can’t source it locally, you can leave it out. Optionally, try adding a dash of soy and a pinch of kombu dashi powder diluted in 2 tsp water.
  • For our Australian readers, ketchup can be substituted with regular tomato sauce. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Takoyaki Sauce
Amount per Serving
Calories
158
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
1
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Sodium
 
5597
mg
243
%
Potassium
 
561
mg
16
%
Carbohydrates
 
33
g
11
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
20
g
22
%
Protein
 
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
 
51
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
7
mg
8
%
Calcium
 
80
mg
8
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Hey hey – Did you make this recipe?We’d love it if you could give a star rating below ★★★★★ and show us your creations on Instagram! Snap a pic and tag @wandercooks / #Wandercooks

Takoyaki Sauce - Super Simple Japanese Sauce Recipe
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12 Comments

  • Reply
    June
    09/12/2022 at 8:12 am

    5 stars
    Great recipe.
    I’m from Brissy…Glad to see Aussie food bloggers here.
    Always love your work!

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      09/12/2022 at 7:12 pm

      Oh thanks June! Hi from Adelaide. 😁

  • Reply
    Ana F
    06/11/2019 at 4:25 am

    5 stars
    Oh I need this in my life! I can use this takoyaki sauce on so many things. Yum!

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      07/11/2019 at 12:24 pm

      High five to that! If you discover some delish combos we want to hear ALL about it! 😀

  • Reply
    Emma
    05/11/2019 at 7:11 pm

    5 stars
    I love Japanese food so am super excited about stumbling across this recipe! Thanks for sharing!

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      07/11/2019 at 12:24 pm

      Yay welcome, hope you enjoy!

  • Reply
    Jeannette
    05/11/2019 at 6:22 pm

    5 stars
    I could INSTANTLY taste the amazing flavours when I came across your post! Thanks for sharing!

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      07/11/2019 at 12:23 pm

      Haha excellent, our job is done! Enjoy the recipe and let us know what you think!

  • Reply
    Farah
    05/11/2019 at 5:03 pm

    5 stars
    I absolutely love how interesting your recipes are! You keep expanding my culinary horizons. Thanks for this versatile and easy sauce recipe!

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      07/11/2019 at 12:23 pm

      Aaww thanks Farah, so glad you enjoy the adventure and hope you have fun with this recipe!

  • Reply
    Tisha
    05/11/2019 at 4:09 pm

    5 stars
    This sauce looks and sounds amazing! I haven’t tried Takoyaki but it does sound intriguing!

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      07/11/2019 at 12:22 pm

      There’s nothing else quite like it – hope you get to try it and enjoy!

    Leave a Reply

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