Homemade Eel Sauce

Name: Homemade Eel Sauce (Unagi Sauce)
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 11 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1/4 cup mirin; 2 tbsp sugar

Homemade eel sauce (unagi sauce) is a sweet and savory Japanese glaze made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in just 3 ingredients. It's the essential condiment for sushi rolls, nigiri, and donburi bowls, ready in under 5 minutes.

🌍Japanese 🏷️Eel sauce 🏷️Unagi sauce 🏷️Japanese sauce 🏷️Sushi sauce

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TikTok

Total

11 min

Servings

1

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$10–$16

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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Ingredients

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup mirin
2 tbsp sugar

3 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.
2
Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
3
Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced and thickened to a honey-like consistency.
4
Remove from heat and let it cool. The sauce will thicken further as it cools. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Simmer over medium-low heat to avoid scorching; the sauce will thicken as it cools, so remove it from heat while still slightly loose.
Stir constantly to help sugar dissolve evenly and prevent caramelization on the pan bottom.
Let the sauce cool to room temperature before tasting—sweetness is more pronounced when warm.
Use a whisk or wooden spoon to break up any sugar crystals that form on the sides of the pan.

Substitutions

Mirin → honey or brown sugar dissolved in water (use equal parts sugar and water, or 1:1 honey)
Soy sauce → tamari (for gluten-free; use same amount)
Sugar → additional mirin (reduces sweetness slightly; increase mirin to 1/3 cup, omit separate sugar)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks; reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave if thickened.

Common Questions

Can I make eel sauce without mirin?

Yes. Replace mirin with equal parts sugar and water, or use honey as a 1:1 substitute for mirin. The flavor will be slightly less complex but still delicious.

How long does homemade eel sauce keep?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. It thickens slightly as it cools and can be thinned with a few drops of water if needed.

What's the difference between eel sauce and regular soy sauce?

Eel sauce (unagi sauce) is sweetened with mirin and sugar, creating a thick, glossy glaze. Regular soy sauce is salty and thin by comparison.

Can I reduce this sauce further to make it thicker?

Yes. Simmer for 2–3 extra minutes on low heat to reduce and thicken. Watch closely so it doesn't burn.

Is this sauce suitable for a vegan diet?

Check your mirin bottle—traditional mirin may contain alcohol that doesn't fully cook off. Use aji-mirin (synthetic mirin) or verify your soy sauce and mirin are vegan-certified.