My Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce recipe uses only four simple ingredients and is so quick to make! 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).
Open my refrigerator and you’ll find a stash of Japanese condiments and sauces—a mix of store-bought and homemade goodies. Among them is tonkatsu sauce. This condiment is mandatory when it comes to serving Tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlet), Chicken Katsu, and more.
In today’s recipe, I’m sharing a simplified version of Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce using only four ingredients. You’re most likely already have them in the pantry so you can whip it up anytime you need. The great thing about making your own is that you can also adjust the sweetness to your liking.
Table of Contents
What is Tonkatsu Sauce?
Tonkatsu sauce (とんかつソース) is served with Tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlet) and is often used for other deep-fried dishes like Korokke or to make Hambagu sauce.
Tonkatsu sauce mainly consists of vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, prunes, dates, apples, lemon juice, carrots, onions, and celery. It also includes more than 10 kinds of spices along with soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. It’s a lot of work to make it from scratch, so most Japanese people would use the store-bought one.
However, if you don’t live near the Japanese/Asian grocery stores or prefer to make your own, you can always count on my easy homemade recipe.
The Most Popular Tonkatsu Sauce Brand
The most popular tonkatsu sauce is the Bull-Dog Vegetable & Fruit Sauce (Tonkatsu Sauce). It’s easy to recognize the signature bulldog logo on the bottle. You can purchase it on Amazon and Japanese or Asian grocery stores.
How to Make Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce
The Ingredients You’ll Need
- Worcestershire sauce – I use Lea & Perrins brand. If you’re vegan, use vegan Worcestershire sauce.
- Sugar
- Ketchup – The sweetness of the ketchup varies, so adjust the amount of sugar based on the ketchup taste.
- Oyster sauce – Use Lee Kum Kee Vegetarian Stir-Fry Sauce if you’re vegetarian or allergic to shellfish.
Yes, that’s it! The main flavor of tonkatsu sauce comes from Worcestershire sauce and ketchup. Every brand of ketchup has different sweetness, so you may need to adjust the flavor with sugar.
The Cooking Steps
- Mix all the condiments together. I usually combine the Worcestershire sauce and sugar first. Whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved before adding the rest of the condiments.
Okonomi Sauce and Yakisoba Sauce
We have different sauces for okonomiyaki and yakisoba although these three sauces are quite similar.
- Homemade Okonomiyaki Sauce (Okonomi Sauce)
- Homemade Yakisoba Sauce
Ways to Use Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce
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Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce
Ingredients
- 4½ Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (use vegan Worcestershire sauce for vegan)
- 2 Tbsp sugar (plus more to taste)
- 5 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce (use Lee Kum Kee Vegetarian Stir-Fry Sauce for vegetarian or if you‘re allergic to shellfish)
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients. I included a bottle of Bull-Dog Tonkatsu Sauce in the image, but it‘s not needed for this recipe.
- In a jar or small bowl, combine 4½ Tbsp Worcestershire sauce and 2 Tbsp sugar. Whisk well until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Then, add 5 Tbsp ketchup and 2 Tbsp oyster sauce and whisk until combined. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning. Some ketchup is sweeter than others, so please adjust the amount of sugar to taste. Your Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce is ready to use.
To Serve
- Enjoy this Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce as a condiment for breaded and/or deep-fried Japanese foods like Tonkatsu, Chicken Katsu, and Korokke (Potato and Meat Croquette) or their baked versions Baked Tonkatsu, Baked Chicken Katsu, and Baked Croquette. Tonkatsu sauce is also an ingredient in recipes like Japanese Hamburger Steak (Hambagu), Keema Curry, and Meat Doria (Rice Gratin).
To Store
- Store in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 weeks or freezer for 3–4 months.
Nutrition
Editor’s Note: The post was originally published on January 27, 2014, and was updated with new content and images in February 2023. It’s been republished on July 9, 2023.
Great sauce but I also added 1 table spoon of apple sauce. It tasted a little more authentic. Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Yoshie! That’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hi can i ask if what kind of ketchup you use ? Is it tomato ketchup or banana ketchup or it doesnt matter what ketchup i can use. Thnks have a great day..
It’s regular tomato ketchup. 🙂
awesome!
Thanks!
Hi Nami!
Can I replace the oyster sauce with fish sauce?
Hi Nikki! Oyster sauce and Fish sauce are completely different things, and it can’t be used as substitute for each other… SO sorry! You can just omit it. 🙂
Ah I see that now. I found some at the store and should be good now. Thanks!
Hi Nikki! Good to hear! Tonkatsu sauce is really delicious. We sometimes pour over fried eggs to eat too (just an example of quick use of this sauce…). 🙂
Yum! Finally was able to make some and tried it with my okonomiyaki! Tastes just like the stuff my dad used to make for me when I was a kid! Thanks for this!
Hi Nikki! I’m so glad to hear you liked the recipe! Thank you so much for your kind feedback! 🙂
I used same amount of fish sauce instead of oyster sauce and added grated fresh ginger to taste plus 2tsp. sour cherry preserve. Delicious!
Hi Maken! I’m glad it worked out for you! Thank you for your comment! 🙂
How long can this be kept for if fridged? I am thinking of doubling the recipe so I will have it on hand.
Thank you
Hi Emily! Since there is no water in the ingredients, it should last pretty long time. Keep it in the airtight jar and should last about 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it if you make a lot. 🙂
Thank you! (:
I want to find a good brand of oyster sauce, but I can’t decide which one. Should I get one with MSG flavoring or one without? Do you have a preference?
Thanks!
Hi Kandi! I don’t use too much oyster sauce in my cooking, so once I buy it, it lasts long time… I now use this brand:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00023T3J4/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00023T3J4&linkCode=as2&tag=jusonecoo-20&linkId=D74OQTQC5QBHUVRO
Since I don’t use it often, I haven’t looked into MSG-free one. When I see it next time, I’d definitely get that one. 🙂
Hi,
Thank you for the amazing recipes! I was wondering can I use something else or not use the oyster sauce at all? Is there a vegetarian option that I can use instead of the oyster sauce? Did you try making the sauce without the oyster sauce?
Thank you very much. 🙂
Hi Zainab! Sure you can omit. It’s not one of crucial ingredients. I add the oyster sauce to add thickness, saltiness, and depth of flavor. 🙂
This was perfect! Easy and delicious. I was cooking my first tonkatsu and another sauce recipe I tried just didn’t taste right (too much worcestershire and no oyster sauce). So I whipped this one together at the last minute, and… yipee! Thanks for helping to make my first tonkatsu attempt a hit. 🙂
Hi Heather! I’m so glad the recipe worked out for you and thank you for your kind feedback! 🙂 Hope you try my Baked Tonkatsu recipe, which is easier and just like deep fried version! 🙂
My fiancé has a severe fish allergy so he can’t use Worcestershire sauce. But if you have it HP sauce is very similar in taste but without the fish sauce. You can try it and see if HP sauce will work.
Hi Winnie! Thank you so much for sharing the information! 🙂
Nami, thank you very much. I had eaten Tokastsu at a small japanese restaurant and I loved it, but then they closed last week and I never got the recipy so I ventured yself on doing it and thanks to the recipy its great! Its the same thing! It taste great, thank you very much!
Hi Fernando! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Try my Baked Tonkatsu recipe if you made the regular tonkatsu. 😉 Thank you very much for trying my recipe!
i love your website
it is simple and easy to read.
i wish you to add video how to cook properly 😀
In my hometown, they do not sell Worcestershire sauce (or Usutah So-su) or oyster sauce.
so,how i can replace them?
is there any substitute?
Hi Alifa! Thank you so much for following my site! I’m so glad to hear you enjoy it. I already have YouTube channel, and I hope you subscribe there. 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/user/justonecookbook
That’s a difficult question. To make Tonkatsu Sauce without going through making it from scratch, I think it’s very difficult to get a closer tonkatsu sauce flavor without those ingredients, especially Worcestershire sauce…. Sorry I am not sure how I can suggest. Hope you can find tonkatsu sauce online.
“In my hometown, they do not sell Worcestershire sauce”
I weep for you. I am so sorry to hear of this travesty in this day and age.
From what I hear you can order groceries through Amazon and other online retailers now. Condiments like that would be perfect to order because they don’t spoil easily and you’d probably get a discount if you got some in bulk to stock up.
This looks yum, but is there a substitute for oyster sauce or can it be omitted?
Hi Allysha! The one I made include oyster sauce to get the thickness and salty deep flavor in tonkatsu sauce, but I’m sure we can create a version of Tonkatsu Sauce without the oyster sauce. However I don’t know how the measurement of ingredients will be without oyster sauce.
maybe hoisin as a thickener? Wouldn’t taste the same but it’s also sweet and salty
Thanks for your suggestion, Viet! 🙂
What can I use instead of Worcestershire sauce in this recipe….I haven’t found a gluten free one yet.
Thanks
Diane Harris
Hi Diane! I have this one at home, and according to the website, it’s GF.
http://www.leaperrins.com/products/the-original-worcestershire-sauce.aspx
Amazon sells it online. Worcestershire sauce is main flavor in Tonkatsu sauce, and it’s hard to skip this flavor….
Hope this helps. 🙂
I’ve made this for a friend who has a gluten allergy by substituting A1 steak sauce, it came out pretty good! Hope this helps
Hi Emma,
Wow! It’s helpful. Thank you for sharing the tip with us!
Thank you for posting the Tonkatsu sauce recipe. It’s simple, fast, and tasty. Just used it with tonight’s dinner.
Hi Erlene! Thank you so much for trying this recipe! 🙂