Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce Recipe (Bulldog Sauce)

This 6-ingredient Tonkatsu Sauce (Bulldog Sauce) is an easy copycat recipe and the best condiment to serve with pork katsu, stir fry, french fries, and more. Lasts for 1 month in the fridge!

If you’ve been lucky enough to enjoy pork or chicken katsu, chances are you’ve had Bull-Dog tonkatsu sauce on the side. This popular Japanese condiment is made from fruits, vegetables, and spices to give it an irresistible umami flavor and silky viscosity. And while it’s usually easy to find in Japanese or Asian grocery stores, it’s even easier to make yourself! 

Learning how to make homemade Tonkatsu Sauce is completely foolproof. This copycat Bull-Dog sauce recipe is easy to make with just 6 ingredients and has the same crave-worthy flavors as the original. You’ll want to keep a batch on hand at all times to enjoy with deep-fried dishes, french fries, sushi, and so much more.

Ingredients for tonkatsu sauce on counter.

ℹ️ What is tonkatsu sauce?

First of all, “katsu” is a Japanese deep-fried comfort food made of panko-coated crispy pork cutlets (AKA tonkatsu), chicken cutlets (AKA tori katsu), or fish cutlets. 

That said, tonkatsu sauce (often called “katsu sauce”) refers to the rich and thick sauce traditionally served on the side or drizzled over the top of all types of katsu and other fried Japanese dishes.

Tonkatsu sauce gets its delightful and complex umami flavors from a variety of fruits, vegetables, and spices. It’s sweet and tangy with a palatable sour pungency that keeps your taste buds wanting more and more. 

This homemade tonkatsu sauce is best served with tonkatsu (pork katsu), but it’s also perfect with every other katsu-style dish and other breadcrumb-coated crispy finger foods, including chicken tenders, pork belly, and even green bean fries

✔️ Katsudon sauce vs. tonkatsu sauce

The short answer is that there is no difference between katsudon sauce and tonkatsu sauce. However, the dishes they’re typically paired with are entirely different. 

Traditional tonkatsu is panko-coated deep-fried pork cutlets drizzled with katsu sauce. Katsudon, on the other hand, simmers crispy sliced tonkatsu in katsu sauce with a beaten egg. It’s cooked until the egg is set, then served over a bowl of warm rice. 

🛒 Ingredients needed

These 6 straightforward ingredients are needed to make this simplified Japanese condiment:

  • Ketchup 
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Soy sauce – Or use tamari if you’re gluten free.
  • Brown sugar – The molasses-like flavors add sweetness and depth to the sauce.
  • Mirin – This is a type of Japanese sweet rice wine. If you can’t find it, dry sherry or sweet marsala wine work in a pinch. 
  • Garlic powder 

📋 How to make tonkatsu sauce

Whisk the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, and garlic powder in a small bowl until smooth. 

Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. This gives the flavors time to meld into a balanced, well-rounded sauce. 

The flavors will continue to develop the longer the sauce sits. For the best flavor, let it sit for 24 hours before using.

Tonkatsu sauce in small measuring cup with spoon.

🌟 Tips and variations

  • Some brands of ketchup and Worcestershire sauce are sweeter than others. Taste the sauce as you stir it together, and adjust the amount of brown sugar to find the right level of sweetness.
  • Feel free to add fresh ginger, garlic cloves, or star anise to the sauce to build on the vibrant, aromatic flavors. 
  • To make vegan katsu sauce, use vegan Worcestershire sauce (regular Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies).
  • If you can handle the heat, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of spicy sriracha sauce!

🍽 Serving suggestions

This tonkatsu sauce is a must-have in your refrigerator for pork katsu, chicken katsu, and other Japanese dishes. It’s perfect with tempura, korokke (croquettes), and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). You can even use it as a sauce for yakisoba noodles. 

This flavorful condiment is also delicious when served with some not-so-traditional dishes. You won’t be disappointed when pairing it with these fun foods:

🕕 Storing

Keep this katsu sauce stored in a sealed jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Bottle of homemade tonkatsu sauce next to bottle of bull dog sauce, laid on counter.

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Bottle of homemade tonkatsu sauce next to bottle of bull dog sauce.

Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce

This 6-ingredient Tonkatsu Sauce recipe (Bulldog Sauce) is an easy copycat recipe and the best condiment to serve with pork katsu, stir fry, french fries, and more. Lasts for 1 month in the fridge!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Resting time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet wine)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • Combine ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Let flavors blend for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.
  • Note: The flavors of the sauce will continue to develop as it sits. For best results, let it sit for 24 hours before using.

Notes

Tips and Variations
  • Some brands of ketchup and Worcestershire sauce are sweeter than others. Taste the sauce as you stir it together, and adjust the amount of brown sugar to find the right level of sweetness.
  • Feel free to add fresh ginger, garlic cloves, or star anise to the sauce to build on the vibrant, aromatic flavors. 
  • To make vegan katsu sauce, use vegan Worcestershire sauce (regular Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies).
  • If you can handle the heat, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of spicy sriracha sauce!
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

Small Bowl
Spoon

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.03g | Saturated Fat: 0.003g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 613mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 107IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

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