Ramekins & Sauce Cups

Sauce Cups & Restaurant Ramekins: What You Need to Know

Sauce cups are essential service components for establishments that don't keep ketchup, honey mustard, and other dipping essentials at the table. Whether you're searching for classic plastic ramekins for a family restaurant or metal ramekins for portions of ketchup to accompany fries at a trendy burger bar, you'll find a wide selection of options at KaTom.

Common Questions About Condiment Cups

What are sauce cups called?

Sauce cups are often called ramekins, a term that also applies to large, oven-safe versions used to bake and serve certain soups and desserts. Those meant for bringing dipping options to the table may be called ramekin sauce cups to differentiate them from those meant to be used as baking dishes. The two types can be easily categorized by their size as the majority of sauce cups don't hold more than 6 ounces.

What is the best size ramekin?

That depends on what you're bringing to the table. Individual portions of ketchup, ranch, housemade dipping sauces, and other condiments can be placed in sauce cups with 1¹⁄₂- or 2-ounce capacities. Larger sizes can be used for condiments accompanying appetizers that may be enjoyed by multiple people or toppings served on the side of a salad or sandwich, such as chopped jalapenos or olives.

In addition to traditional sauce cups, some specialized options are available for specific meal components.

• Molcajete dishes are wide, footed bowls used in Mexican restaurants to serve several ounces of salsa, guacamole, and queso.
• Sometimes called Japanese ramekins or soy sauce dishes, condiment cups with a shallow, rectangular design are perfect for sushi and other bite-sized items that need to be dipped.
• Sauce cups with two compartments are used to bring two sauces to the table at once, such as tartar sauce and cocktail sauce.

What are ramekins made of?

Condiment cups are made of plastic, ceramic, metal, or a disposable material for one-time use. As with other types of supplies, plastic is generally the most economic option, but sauce cups, especially when sold in bulk, are an affordable addition to your tabletop.

• Plastic ramekins can be clear or colored and are usually made of SAN plastic, a BPA-free material, or melamine, which is durable but can't be microwaved.
• Metal ramekins made of stainless steel are popular because of their durability and are available in plain polished designs or decorative hammered finishes.
• Ceramic ramekins and porcelain ramekins are ideal for full-service establishments and upscale concepts. Ceramic includes all types of fired clay dinnerware, but porcelain is the most durable type of ceramic.
• Disposable ramekins may be made of wood or another type of biodegradable material to provide an environmentally friendly sauce cup option. These are a popular choice for food trucks and fast-casual operations where customers are responsible for their own cleanup.