An open glass jar filled with dark brown tonkatsu sauce, made from a classic Tonkatsu Sauce Recipe, sits on a white surface next to a bottle labeled Bull-Dog Vegetable & Fruit Sauce. The jar’s lid is off and placed nearby.

Recipe Highlights

I always keep a jar of this sauce in my fridge. My Tonkatsu Sauce Recipe is one of the easiest condiments I make from scratch—just four ingredients and one bowl. It captures that signature sweet-tangy-savory flavor of the bottled version. While it’s iconic with Tonkasu (Japanese pork cutlets), my favorite way to enjoy it is drizzled over my mom’s Japanese Croquettes. This homemade sauce is the finishing touch that brings the whole dish together.

Here’s why I keep coming back to this recipe:

  • No cooking required—just whisk and serve!
  • Fully scalable—make as much or as little as you need
  • Easy to customize—add more ketchup for sweetness, more Worcestershire for tang, or extra oyster sauce for deeper umami

If you love making Japanese sauces from scratch, try my Teriyaki Sauce, Homemade Okonomiyaki Sauce, and Homemade Ponzu Sauce next!

A bottle of Bull-Dog vegetable and fruit tonkatsu sauce stands next to a small glass jar of rich brown Tonkatsu sauce, perfect for those seeking an authentic Tonkatsu Sauce Recipe, both displayed on a white surface.

What is Tonkatsu Sauce?

Tonkatsu sauce (とんかつソース) or katsu sauce is a Japanese condiment that dates back to the Meiji era, when Western ingredients like Worcestershire sauce and ketchup first entered Japanese kitchens.

Over time, Japanese makers developed a thicker, sweeter version made with fruits, vegetables, and spices. It became the go-to sauce for panko-breaded and fried foods.

Today, brands like Bull-Dog are still household staples in Japan.

Ingredients for Tonkatsu Sauce

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

Jump to Recipe

How to Make Tonkatsu Sauce

  1. Combine the ingredients. Add Worcestershire sauce and sugar in a jar or small bowl and whisk until the sugar fully dissolves. Add the ketchup and oyster sauce, then whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  1. Serve. Drizzle over your favorite panko-breaded and fried dishes, or use it as a dip or sandwich spread. You can use it right away, but I like to chill it for at least 30 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly.
A person holds a small bowl of sugar and a measuring cup of dark liquid, about to prepare a tonkatsu sauce recipe by pouring them into an empty glass jar on a wooden surface.
A hand holds a glass jar filled with dark brown liquid, while another hand stirs it with a spoon on a light wooden surface, preparing a homemade tonkatsu sauce recipe.
Namiko Hirasawa Chen

Nami’s Recipe Tips

Keep these tips in mind for the best results.

  • Use a good Worcestershire sauce – I usually use Lea & Perrins, but any brand will work.
  • Taste before serving – Ketchup brands vary in sweetness, so adjust with more sugar or Worcestershire if needed.
  • Chill for a thicker sauce – The sauce is ready right away, but chilling it for 30 minutes makes it slightly thicker and even better.
A bottle of Bull-Dog Vegetable & Fruit Sauce (Tonkatsu sauce), perfect for any Tonkatsu Sauce recipe, stands next to an open glass jar filled with dark brown sauce on a white surface.

Variations

This recipe is flexible—here are some ideas to get you started.

  • Make it vegan. Use vegan Worcestershire sauce and Lee Kum Kee Vegetarian Stir-Fry Sauce in place of the oyster sauce.
  • Make it gluten-free. Use certified gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and gluten-free oyster sauce.
  • Use brown sugar. It adds a deeper sweetness with a slight molasses flavor.
  • Add fresh aromatics. Mix in a little freshly minced garlic or ginger for extra flavor.
  • Add dry spices. Try a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or ginger powder for added complexity.

How to Use My Tonkatsu Sauce Recipe

Although homemade tonkatsu sauce is delicious with much more than just tonkatsu, Here are some of my favorite ways to use it.

A plate of crispy breaded chicken cutlets drizzled with sauce, served with shredded cabbage, tomato wedges, chopsticks, and a small dish of creamy dressing on a wooden table.
A round white plate containing Japanese croquettes, shredded cabbage, tomato wedges, and a tiny container with sesame dressing.

Storage Tips

To store: Store the leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3–4 months. If frozen, thaw it completely in the refrigerator before using.

FAQs

What is tonkatsu sauce made of?

My homemade version uses four ingredients: Worcestershire sauce, sugar, ketchup, and oyster sauce. Traditional Japanese versions are simmered from fruits and vegetables, but this shortcut delivers the same layered, savory-sweet flavor in minutes.

What does tonkatsu sauce taste like?

It’s rich and glossy with a sweet, tangy, and savory flavor—similar to a thick Japanese-style Worcestershire sauce with layers of fruitiness and umami. The balanced acidity makes it especially good with panko-breaded and fried foods.

I’d love to hear how yours turned out! 💛 Please leave a star rating and comment below to share your experience. Your feedback not only supports Just One Cookbook but also helps other home cooks discover recipes they can trust.

Tonkatsu Sauce (Katsu Sauce)

4.71 from 791 votes
by Namiko Hirasawa Chen
A bottle of Bull-Dog vegetable and fruit tonkatsu sauce stands next to a small glass jar of rich brown Tonkatsu sauce, perfect for those seeking an authentic Tonkatsu Sauce Recipe, both displayed on a white surface.
My Tonkatsu Sauce recipe uses just four simple ingredients and comes together instantly! With savory, sweet, and tangy notes, it tastes just as amazing as Japan‘s famous Bull-Dog Tonkatsu sauce. Serve it with tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlets), chicken katsu, or my favorite korokke (potato and beef croquettes).
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Equipment

Prep: 3 minutes
Total: 5 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Servings: 1 (¾ cup or 180 ml per serving)

Instructions

  • Gather all the ingredients.
    Note: I included a bottle of Bull-Dog Tonkatsu Sauce in the photo, but it‘s not needed for this recipe.
    Five ingredients for a classic Tonkatsu Sauce Recipe on a light wooden surface: Bull-Dog vegetable and fruit sauce, plus small bowls of soy sauce, ketchup, sugar, and oyster sauce.
  • Combine 4½ Tbsp Worcestershire sauce and 2 Tbsp sugar in a jar or small bowl and whisk until the sugar dissolves.
    Two images: On the left, hands hold bowls of sugar and dark liquid above a jar for a Tonkatsu Sauce Recipe. On the right, a hand stirs the dark mixture in the jar with a spoon on a wooden surface.
  • Add 5 Tbsp ketchup and 2 Tbsp oyster sauce and whisk until incorporated. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
    It's now ready to use. For a thicker sauce, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving—it firms up noticeably as it chills.
    Nami's Tip: The sweetness of ketchup varies, so adjust the sugar to taste.
    A person prepares a Tonkatsu Sauce recipe by pouring sauces from small bowls into a jar, then stirring the mixture with a spoon. The process is shown in two side-by-side images on a light wooden surface.

To Serve

To Store

  • Store in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 weeks or freezer for up to 3–4 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before using.

Notes

Variations
  • Make it vegan. Swap in vegan Worcestershire sauce and Lee Kum Kee Vegetarian Stir-Fry Sauce in place of the oyster sauce.
  • Make it gluten-free. Use certified gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and gluten-free oyster sauce.
  • Use brown sugar. Brown sugar adds a deeper, molasses-forward sweetness that pairs well with the fruity notes in the sauce.
  • Add aromatics. For extra depth, whisk in ½ tablespoon of freshly minced garlic or ginger.
  • Add dry spices. Whisk in ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, onion powder, or ginger powder for added complexity.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cup, Calories: 245kcal, Carbohydrates: 63g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0.3g, Saturated Fat: 0.03g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g, Sodium: 2658mg, Potassium: 843mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 48g, Vitamin A: 445IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 105mg, Iron: 4mg

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Editor’s Note: The post was originally published on January 27, 2014. It and was updated with new images on February 20, 2023, and with new video on February 16, 2024. It was republished with more helpful content on May 13, 2026.