Satisfy your craving for savory Asian flavors with this versatile and delicious Japanese Sesame Dipping Sauce. Perfect for dipping grilled meats, sautéed veggies, noodles, and Japanese hot pot, this golden brown sauce is a must-try for any lover of Asian cuisine!

Japanese goma dare sesame dipping sauce, also known as sesame sauce, is a versatile and delicious condiment that adds a savory and nutty flavor to your favorite dishes.

In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make a homemade version of this popular Asian sauce that’s easy to prepare and tastes amazing.

What is Japanese Sesame Dipping Sauce?

Japanese sesame dipping sauce, also known as goma dare, is a traditional Japanese condiment made from toasted sesame seeds, miso paste, soy sauce, and other flavorings.

It is golden brown and has a smooth, creamy texture and a rich, nutty flavor that complements many Japanese dishes.

What does this dipping sesame sauce taste like?

This dipping sesame sauce has a savory umami flavor profile that is rich and nutty.

It has a complex taste due to the combination of toasted sesame seeds, miso, soy sauce, and other seasonings. It also has a slightly sweet and salty taste that balances the nuttiness of the sesame seeds.

What can you use this sesame dipping sauce with?

This is a very versatile Asian dipping sauce and pairs with many different types of dishes. Some examples are:

Grilled/Sautéed Chicken
Grilled/ Sautéed Pork
Grilled/ Sautéed Shrimp
Sautéed/Steamed/BBQ Vegetables
Grilled Skewers
Asian Style Noodles
Japanese Hot Pot Shabu Shabu Dipping Sauce

What ingredients do I need to make Japanese sesame sauce?

Toasted Sesame Seeds – used for texture and garnish of sauce.
Garlic – freshly grated garlic.
Miso – brown or awase miso works best, but you also can use white miso or red miso.
Soy Sauce – low sodium preferred. Can also use tamari for gluten-free and coconut aminos for keto.
Toasted Sesame Oil – toasted 100% sesame seed oil that should have a dark brown color.
Japanese Sake – typically will come in a large bottle labeled junmai sake. Can also substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine.
Rice Vinegar – sub substitute with white vinegar but may alter taste.
Salt – sea salt preferred but regular salt will work.
Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener.

What are the instructions to make Japanese sesame sauce?

Start by boiling out some Japanese sake or cooking wine with high heat.

Next, add toasted sesame seeds in a food processor and grind for 30-45 seconds until fragrant and semi-powder is formed.

Then add in garlic, miso, soy sauce, sesame oil, boiled-out Japanese sake, rice vinegar, water salt, and sweetener, and grind for another 5-10 seconds.

Transfer the sauce mixture to a small bowl and enjoy with veggies, skewers, or as a dipping sauce for Japanese hot pot!

Pro Tip – if you have a mortar and pestle set, it’s best to use that instead of a food processor for the best flavors. However, a food processor is much easier and quicker to use.

How to store this sesame Asian dipping sauce?

To store this Japanese Sesame Dipping Sauce, simply place it in an airtight container or bowl with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.

What is the nutrition information for this sesame dipping sauce recipe?

140 Calories
4g Carbohydrates
1g Fiber
4g Protein
11g Fat
0mg Cholesterol
893mg Sodium
45mg Potassium
10mg Calcium
0mg Iron
8ui Vitamin A
0mg Vitamin C

Looking for other Asian-style sauces?

Now, let’s get making this Japanese Sesame Dipping Sauce recipe!

Prep Time 2M
Cook Time 1M
Total Time 3M
Net Carb/Serving ~2g
Servings 4

Ingredients

6 tbsp Toasted Sesame Seed
2 Garlic Cloves
2 tbsp Miso
2 tbsp Soy Sauce
2 tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil
4 tbsp Japanese Sake
4 tsp Rice Vinegar (can sub with distilled white vinegar)
2 tbsp Water
1/8 tsp Salt
2 tbsp Sweetener (sugar alternative, sugar or preferred sweetener)

Directions

1) Gather all the ingredients.

2) In a frying pan, add Japanese sake, bring to a boil, remove from heat and set aside. Note – this step is to remove the alcohol from the sake.

3) Add Toasted Sesame Seed into a food processor and grind for 30-45 seconds until seeds are broken up and fragrant.

4) Add garlic, Miso, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, boiled-out Japanese Sake, Rice Vinegar, water salt and sweetener into the food processor. Grind for another 5-10 seconds and transfer to a dipping bowl.

Hope you enjoy your Japanese Sesame Dipping Sauce!

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More Recipes

Sesame sauce being used as dipping sauce for Japanese shabu shabu hot pot.

Japanese Sesame Dipping Sauce

5 from 2 votes

Course: dip, Sauce

Cuisine: Asian, Japanese

Keyword: Asian dipping sauce, Japanese dipping sauce, sesame dipping sauce, sesame sauce

Prep Time: 2

Cook Time: 1

Total Time: 3

Servings:

Print Recipe

Calories: 140kcal

Ingredients

6 tbsp Toasted Sesame Seed
2 Cloves Garlic
2 tbsp Miso
2 tbsp Soy Sauce
2 tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil
4 tbsp Japanese Sake
4 tsp Rice Vinegar can sub with distilled white vinegar
2 tbsp Water
1/8 tsp Salt
2 tbsp Sweetener sugar alternative, sugar or preferred sweetener

Instructions

Gather all the ingredients.
In a frying pan, add Japanese sake, bring to a boil, remove from heat and set aside. Note - this step is to remove the alcohol from the sake.
Add Toasted Sesame Seed into a food processor and grind for 30-45 seconds until seeds are broken up and fragrant.
Add garlic, Miso, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, boiled-out Japanese Sake, Rice Vinegar, water salt and sweetener into the food processor. Grind for another 5-10 seconds and transfer to a dipping bowl.