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 (とんかつソース). 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 most likely already have them in the pantry, so you can whip up tonkatsu sauce anytime you need it. 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 versions.
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.
Ingredients for Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce
- 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.
How to Make the Best Tonkatsu Sauce
- Mix all the condiments together. I usually start by combining the Worcestershire sauce and sugar. Whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved before adding the rest of the condiments.
- Yes, that’s it! The main flavor of tonkatsu sauce comes from Worcestershire sauce and ketchup. Since every brand of ketchup has a different level of sweetness, you may need to adjust the flavor with sugar.
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
Recipes Using Tonkatsu Sauce
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Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce
Video
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 more helpful content and new images in February 2023. It was republished with a new video on February 16, 2024.
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Hi Nami, I am writing from Melbourne Australia and I want to say thank you for your excellent website and email that comes each week. Tonight we are having your oven baked tonkatsu with your home made tonkatsu sauce plus Japanese coleslaw and a radish pickle and steamed brown rice. Yummo….
If you ever put out a hard copy of your recipes you’ll be a smash.
Thanks again and keep up the delicious work. Our appetites for Japanese dishes are counting on you.
Kind regards, sally fisher.
Hi Sally! Thank you so much for trying this recipe and for your kind feedback. I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this dish! Yeah, a hard copy of my cookbook one day… I’m currently busy posting to my blog and YouTube channel and I barely have time for anything else. Maybe when my kids are in college… 🙂
[…] Adapted from Just One Cookbook […]
You are right on the money. This is my first time making tonkatsy. it came out perfect!
Hi Danielle! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for your kind feedback! xo
[…] tonkatsu with a side of rice, a crisp salad, or simply eat it on its own with a healthy dousing of tonkatsu sauce, or BBQ sauce as an […]
[…] tonkatsu with a side of rice, a crisp salad, or simply eat it on its own with a healthy dousing of tonkatsu sauce, or BBQ sauce as an […]
[…] cooked on the teppanyaki, and a number of sauces were added, including mayonnaise and the sweet tonkatsu sauce. This set up is very similar to the dressing of the classic okonomiyaki, the Japanese savory […]
[…] Adapted from Just One Cookbook […]
Can you use fish sauce instead of oyster sauce?
Hi Denise! It’s different flavor profile, so you can’t substitute with fish sauce. The worst case you can skip it. 🙂
Hi Nami, I recently discovered your site while learning to make sushi. It turned out great… Thank you!! Tonight making your Hambagu steak. Having much fun making the foods I love.from someone I trust. I so enjoy watching your videos, you’re so sweet, you make my heart smile. Tnx for all the great info and recipes!!
Hi Trish! Welcome to JOC! I’m glad your sushi turned out well! 🙂 Hope hambagu went well too. Thank you for trying out my recipes and for your kind feedback. Your comment made me happy too. Thank you! xo
[…] You can make tonkatsu sauce at home using other condiments you have. For Tonkatsu Sauce and Okonomi Sauce recipe, click here. […]
Tried this sauce recipe and my kids love it!!! Added more sugar to achieve the sweeter side dip we Filipinos love to have! Thanks for this recipe,, truly one for keeps! 😊
Hi Kat! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for your kind words and feedback! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this. I can’t buy Tonkatsu Sauce where I live so this is such a life saver!
Love,
Casey
Hi Casey! I’m so happy to hear that you liked this recipe. Thank you for your kind feedback! 🙂
Is there a way to make this sauce with no ketchup?
Hi Angel! Hmmm you can omit it, but it will not taste like Tonkatsu sauce?