The Generations Behind the Bottle

Justin Gill and the inherited recipe

Long before it became Bachan's Japanese Barbecue Sauce, the recipe belonged to Justin Gill's family and moved through it for generations. Justin, the founder and CEO of Bachan's, chose a name that says where the account begins—Bachan is the word for grandma.

Justin Gill with his Bachan, Judy Yokoyama

Judy Yokoyama, whom Justin Gill called Bachan, entered the world in Sebastopol, CA in 1936. Judy Yokoyama's history includes a two-year displacement in a Japanese internment camp; she also showed Justin and his parents how to prepare Japanese barbecue sauce.

Judy Yokoyama packing bottles of the family sauce

The closeness was literal: Justin's Bachan lived on the family property. Regular meals with her and his grandfather made the kitchen a classroom where Japanese-American culture and inherited customs reached him through food.

A Bachan's family cooking memory

An early route for the sauce ran through a different family enterprise. Justin had worked in the landscape company since childhood, and at the holidays he joined his father in delivering bottles from the family's big seasonal batch.

The Bachan's family making sauce together

Generations stay linked by Bold, Fresh, Umami Flavor™

Bachan's sees the meal as a meeting point for people separated by age or time. Flavor recalls earlier gatherings, while repeating the preparation gives later generations a tradition they can continue.

Justin Gill, Judy Yokoyama, and the Bachan's family

Our Ingredients Matter®

Staying aligned with Justin's family recipe means beginning with high-quality ingredients that are non-GMO. Bachan's then uses a cold-fill process, avoiding the need to rely on preservatives, flavorings or other additives.

Japanese Barbecue Sauces

Green onion, ginger, and garlic
Green Onion, Ginger and Garlic
The ginger and green onion are paired with organic garlic for the aromatics.
Traditionally brewed soy sauce
Non-GMO Traditionally Brewed Soy Sauce
Bachan's premium non-GMO soy sauce uses traditional brewing practices followed for hundreds of years.
Aged Japanese mirin
Aged Japanese Mirin
Bachan's sources genuine high-quality mirin in Japan from family-run suppliers who have worked for generations.
Organic rice vinegar
Organic Rice Vinegar
The organic rice vinegar starts with organic rice grown in the US, then the rice vinegar receives traditional brewing and a month of aging.

Japanese Dipping Sauces

Stone-ground sesame
Stone Ground Sesame
Neri Goma is stone-ground roasted sesame that creates a thick, rich and creamy texture.
Crushed sesame seeds
Crushed Sesame Seeds
A second sesame dimension comes from Suri Goma, made with real crushed sesame for layered flavor.
White miso
White Miso
The fermented rice and soybeans become a mild white miso with sweet, savory and umami qualities.
Ginger
Ginger
A zesty brightness is supplied by real ginger.