Easy Shrimp Rice Bowl Yum Yum Sauce for a Cozy Comfort Food Night
There are certain nights when food cravings hit hard — the kind of craving where you want something warm, filling, and comforting, but you also don’t want to completely abandon your healthy and clean eating goals. That’s exactly where this shrimp rice bowl yum yum sauce recipe was born in my own kitchen.
As a chef and longtime food content writer, I test a lot of recipes. But this one quickly became a repeat meal in my house. It’s easy, quick, deeply cozy, and hits that nostalgic hibachi comfort food vibe — all without the heavy, greasy aftermath of takeout. Every time I make it, it feels like the perfect balance between indulgence and intention.
This is the kind of seafood dinner that feels special enough for a slow evening but simple enough for a busy weeknight. Let me walk you through how to make it, why it works so well, and how you can adapt it to your own comfort food style.
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Why Shrimp Rice Bowls Are the Ultimate Comfort Food Meal
Rice bowls have a way of making meals feel grounding. There’s something incredibly satisfying about a warm bowl of fluffy rice topped with protein, vegetables, and a creamy sauce. When I’m developing bowl-style meals, I always look for that balance between texture, flavor, and nourishment — and shrimp rice bowls deliver every time.
Shrimp is one of my favorite proteins for healthy meals because it cooks fast, absorbs flavor beautifully, and feels light yet filling. Combined with rice, it becomes the ultimate comfort food base. This version leans into asian-inspired flavors with a homemade copycat yum yum sauce that reminds me of my first hibachi restaurant experience — watching shrimp sizzle on a flat-top grill while the smell of garlic filled the air.
This dish satisfies cravings without weighing you down, which is why it’s become one of my go-to clean eating meals when I still want something cozy and indulgent.
What Is Yum Yum Sauce? (Creamy, Copycat & Better Than Takeout)
Yum yum sauce is a classic hibachi-style condiment known for its pale pink color and irresistible flavor. It’s slightly sweet, tangy, and rich — the kind of sauce that makes you want to drizzle it on everything.
When developing this copycat version at home, my goal was to keep the flavor authentic while making it feel lighter and more balanced. By controlling the ingredients, you get a sauce that’s still creamy but fits better into everyday healthy cooking.
Homemade yum yum sauce also stores well, which means you can enjoy it across multiple meals throughout the week — a huge win for anyone managing weeknight dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need (Exact Measurements)
For the Shrimp Rice Bowl
- 1 lb (454 g) raw large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (about 1 cup dry rice)
- 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1 avocado, sliced
For the Creamy Yum Yum Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons water (to thin, adjust as needed)
How to Make Shrimp Rice Bowl Yum Yum Sauce
One of the reasons I love this recipe is how quick it is from start to finish. On nights when I’m exhausted from testing recipes or writing all day, this bowl still feels doable.
Step 1: Cook the Rice
Prepare jasmine rice according to package instructions. Keep it warm and fluffy — rice texture plays a big role in making this bowl feel like true comfort food.
Step 2: Make the Yum Yum Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, rice vinegar, melted butter, sugar, garlic powder, and water. The sauce should be smooth and drizzle-able. Set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
Step 4: Assemble the Bowl
Divide rice between bowls, top with shrimp, vegetables, avocado, and drizzle generously with yum yum sauce.
Kitchen Tools That Make This Recipe Even Easier
1. SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid
A high-quality non-stick skillet ensures shrimp cook evenly without sticking or overcooking. It’s essential for achieving that hibachi-style sear at home.
Upgrade your cooking experience and make shrimp nights stress-free with a reliable non-stick skillet from Amazon.
2. AROMA Digital Rice Cooker
A rice cooker removes the guesswork from cooking perfect rice every time. For bowl meals like this, consistently fluffy rice makes all the difference.
Save time on busy weeknights and enjoy perfect rice with an easy-to-use rice cooker.
3. Priority Chef Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids Set
Having a dedicated mixing bowl for sauces like yum yum keeps prep organized and efficient, especially when making multiple meals in one session.
Simplify meal prep and sauce-making with a versatile mixing bowl set from Amazon.
Chef Tips for the Best Shrimp Rice Bowl
After making this recipe dozens of times, here are a few things I’ve learned:
- Don’t overcook shrimp — remove them as soon as they turn pink.
- Warm rice absorbs sauce better, enhancing the comfort factor.
- Let the sauce rest for 5 minutes to deepen flavor.
Healthy Swaps & Clean Eating Variations
To make this bowl even more aligned with clean eating, swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt or use cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option. You can also add sautéed zucchini or spinach for extra vegetables.
The beauty of this recipe is how flexible it is — it adapts to your lifestyle without sacrificing flavor or comfort.
Why This Is a Perfect Weeknight Seafood Dinner
This shrimp rice bowl yum yum sauce recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight dinners. It feels indulgent yet nourishing, and it satisfies that desire for restaurant-style food without leaving home.
Every time I serve this dish, it reminds me why I love developing comfort-driven recipes — food that feels good emotionally and physically.
Final Thoughts: Cozy Comfort Food Made Easy
This recipe is proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated or unhealthy. With simple ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and a homemade sauce, you get a cozy, satisfying meal that fits beautifully into real life.
If you’re craving something warm, creamy, and deeply comforting tonight, this asian-inspired shrimp rice bowl might just become your new favorite.
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