Okonomiyaki is a Japanese-style pancake prepared with flour, shredded cabbage, egg, and water, with a variety of toppings. To satisfy your taste senses, you may add different components such as meat, seafood platters, cod roe, cheese, and rice cake.
To consume this brown and pleasant-tasting pancake, a sauce is often utilized. The meal seems to be lacking without the brown okonomiyaki sauce. So, what happens if you run out of okonomiyaki sauce?
Other okonomiyaki sauce substitutions include oyster sauce, chuno sauce, tonkatsu sauce, Aurora Sauce, Worcester sauce, ponzu sauce, and Takoyaki sauce, which all work in okonomiyaki sauce recipes.
This sweet, salty, and sour okonomiyaki sauce was created specifically for okonomiyaki.
Contents
- What Is Okonomiyaki Sauce?
- Best Okonomiyaki Sauce Substitutes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- FAQs
- What is a substitute for okonomiyaki sauce?
- What is a good substitute for takoyaki sauce?
- What is the flavor of okonomiyaki sauce?
- What is okonomiyaki sauce made of?
- What can I use instead of sauce?
- What can I use instead of Japanese light soy sauce?
- What is most similar to fish sauce?
- What’s the closest thing to Yum Yum sauce?
- What is the Japanese version of fish sauce?
- What do the Japanese eat with okonomiyaki?
What Is Okonomiyaki Sauce?
Okonomiyaki sauce is an umami-rich sauce used as a condiment in a variety of foods. This sauce is delicious on burgers, steaks, vegetables, meats in soups, and as a marinade or in stir-fries.
Its smokey and sweet flavor, like that of BBQ sauce, just adds another dimension to any dish. Raisins are also utilized in the making of okonomiyaki sauce for a gentler and richer flavor.
Best Okonomiyaki Sauce Substitutes
You can definitely get okonomiyaki sauce in most Asian and Japanese supermarkets or online, but if you can’t find any, I’d recommend the top seven okonomiyaki sauce substitutions.
1. Oyster Sauce
The sauce oyster sauce is created with raw oysters, salt, sugar, acidifiers, and starch. Okonomiyaki sauce is often created using oyster extract as one of its ingredients.
Because the materials required to make okonomiyaki sauce are similar to those used to make oyster sauce, oyster sauce is the ideal substitution for okonomiyaki sauce.
The distinction between the oyster sauce and the okonomiyaki sauce is not visible since they are both dark brown and thick.
Oyster sauce has a stronger flavor than okonomiyaki, so if the flavor is too strong for you, add some ketchup, soy sauce, or both.
2. Tonkatsu Sauce
Tonkatsu sauce, like okonomiyaki sauce, is classified as a thick sauce, and because of its thickness, it may easily be substituted for or blended with okonomiyaki sauce.
Tonkatsu sauce is very appealing when compared to other brown sauces; the sweetness of tonkatsu sauce is comparable to that of okonomiyaki sauce, making it another ideal option for it.
Tonkatsu sauce was originally created for tonkatsu (bottomless fries), but it is now extensively used in Japan for many sorts of deep-fried foods.
It is used more than okonomiyaki sauce in certain regions of Japan, and it may also be combined with ketchup.
3. Worcester Sauce
Worcester sauce is not as sweet as okonomiyaki sauce or tonkatsu sauce, but its constituents are comparable, making it a viable alternative for both.
The main difference between this sauce and okonomiyaki sauce is that, unlike okonomiyaki sauce, Worcester sauce is exceedingly liquid and lacks the thickness required for okonomiyaki.
The watery quality of this sauce may be readily remedied by thickening it with cornstarch or potato starch or simply adding ketchup, and if you believe its sweetness is insufficient, you should do well by adding sugar or honey.
4. Chuno Sauce
Chuno sauce sits between the thick and flavorful okonomiyaki sauce, the tonkatsu sauce, and the watery and under-sweetened Worcester sauce.
Even though it is not as thick as okonomiyaki sauce, it is relatively thick and can be readily blended for a more fantastic flavor experience.
Because the flavor of chino sauce is milder than that of okonomiyaki sauce, you may add a little of sugar or other seasonings to make it your own.
It is very advised to use oyster sauce to enhance the flavor.
5. Takoyaki Sauce
It may be difficult to get Takoyaki sauce since producers created it specifically for Takoyaki. Nonetheless, since they are produced from comparable components, it is an excellent alternative for okonomiyaki sauce.
Keep in mind that the flavor of okonomiyaki sauce and Takoyaki sauce varies depending on the manufacturer, so don’t be shocked if they don’t all taste the same.
6. Ponzu Sauce
Ponzu sauce is a soy sauce, vinegar, and lemon juice sauce. Although ponzu sauce tastes nothing like okonomiyaki sauce, it is a sweet and refreshing replacement.
Takoyaki sauce is often eaten with this sort of salt, and it also goes well with chopped green onions as a garnish.
7. Aurora Sauce
In Japan, it is known as aurora sauce and is made with equal parts ketchup, mayonnaise, and soy sauce. Although the flavor of aurora sauce differs greatly from that of okonomiyaki sauce, it is a delicious sauce with notes of sweetness, umami, and sourness.
If you can’t get okonomiyaki sauce, this is the most simple version you can create at home on your own. If you think the sweetness isn’t enough, add a little honey or sugar.
That concludes our seven greatest okonomiyaki sauce substitutions, and I’m certain you’ll find at least one that works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Okonomiyaki Sauce Made Of?
Okonomiyaki sauce is produced using common ingredients like as sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, fruits and vegetables, and a few extras such as kelp and shiitake mushrooms.
Can I Make My Own Okonomiyaki Sauce?
You may always create your own okonomiyaki sauce at home by following the instructions I’ll be providing.
You’ll need two teaspoons of Japanese Worcestershire sauce, two tablespoons of ketchup, a tablespoon of soy sauce, a tablespoon of oyster sauce, and a tablespoon of sugar for this dish.
All you have to do for the process is mix all of the components together in a small bowl and taste. If the seasoning isn’t just right for you, you can always modify it.
It should then be immediately placed in an airtight container and refrigerated.
FAQs
What is a substitute for okonomiyaki sauce?
Okonomiyaki sauce substitutes
Takoyaki sauce: as previously stated, this may be used interchangeably.
Tonkatsu sauce is a little different, but it may be used for okonomiyaki.
Soy sauce and mayonnaise: use sparingly since they may be quite salty.
Ponzu: for a zesty kick.
What is a good substitute for takoyaki sauce?
Okonomiyaki sauce and takoyaki sauce are quite similar, and you could replace one for the other in a hurry. There are minor variances in flavor, fruitiness, color, and thickness that make each sauce ideal for its own cuisine.
What is the flavor of okonomiyaki sauce?
Okonomi sauce is related to Worcestershire sauce, however it is significantly sweeter and less salty than its British forefather. This is because anchovies are the major ingredient in Worcestershire and the source of its rich umami taste, while dates are the key component in okonomi sauce.
What is okonomiyaki sauce made of?
okonomiyaki sauce, like ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, is produced from fruits and vegetables, sugar, and vinegar, with the additions of kelp, soy sauce, and shiitake mushrooms.
What can I use instead of sauce?
Tomato puree. Tomato paste, which is simply a concentrated tomato sauce, is a great substitute for tomato sauce in most recipes.
Tomatoes in Stewed Sauce from Can.
Tomatoes, diced, from a can.
Tomatoes, fresh.
Soup with tomatoes.
Ketchup.
Eggplant puree.
Bell pepper puree.
What can I use instead of Japanese light soy sauce?
Worcestershire sauce is replaced with light soy sauce.
Tamari sauce is a gluten-free substitute for soy sauce.
Hoisin sauce: You may need to dilute it with water.
Teriyaki sauce: Another alternative with a sweet and savory taste is teriyaki sauce.
Thin the oyster sauce with a little water.
What is most similar to fish sauce?
Here are 8 excellent alternatives to fish sauce.
Soy sauce. Soy sauce, prepared from fermented soybeans, water, salt, and wheat, is a great substitute for fish sauce.
Tamari. Tamari refers to a sort of soy sauce.
Sauce with oysters.
Fish sauce that is vegan.
Seaweed.
Amino acids derived from coconut.
Worcestershire sauce is a kind of condiment.
Broth with mushrooms and soy sauce.
What’s the closest thing to Yum Yum sauce?
Yum yum sauce may be substituted with sweet and sour sauce, spicy mayo sauce, honey mustard sauce, teriyaki sauce, and BBQ sauce. So, the next time you’re in a hurry, don’t be afraid to try one of these sauces.
What is the Japanese version of fish sauce?
Shottsuru () is a spicy regional Japanese fish sauce that is comparable to Thai nam pla. The real form is prepared from the hatahata (Arctoscopus japonicus or sailfin sandfish) and is linked with the Akita area.
What do the Japanese eat with okonomiyaki?
Instead, the batter is prepared in the manner of a thin crepe, and the contents are prepared separately. When everything is ready, the ingredients are put on the crepe, the toppings are applied, and the okonomiyaki is served on top of yakisoba noodles (fried noodles), which are a distinguishing feature of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.