Ponzu

Yes! We have a range of amazing ponzu sauces, but if you want to have a go at making your own, you can use our range of Japanese ingredients to get started. 

For basic ponzu sauce, you will need: 120 ml of soy sauce, 100ml  of yuzu juice,

2 tbsp of rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp of mirin. Optionally, you could also add 1 tbsp of katsuobushi  flakes and 1 small piece (5-8cm) of kombu. 

In a jar or bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix well. 

Cover and refrigerate and leave it overnight to let all the amazing flavours bind together! Before you use it in a dish, make sure to strain out the kombu and bonito. Keep in a sealed jar in the fridge.

If you’ve mastered ponzu sauce and are looking for an amazing, zesty kick to your homemade dishes, why not give our homemade yuzu ponzu sauce recipe a try too?

If you’re looking for a great substitute for ponzu sauce in cooked dishes, we have a range of soy sauces that can add a great umami flavour to your meat and fish dishes, like sushi and cooked hot-pot. You could even combine soy sauce and citrus juice for a perfect ponzu alternative. 

For meatier dishes, our Japanese BBQ sauces will complement these savoury flavours fantastically. Looking for something with a bit more of a spicy kick? Why not try our kosho hot sauce range!

Ponzu sauce is one of Japan’s most versatile condiments. It adds a bright, tangy and savoury flavour that works beautifully with all different kinds of food, including fusion dishes like tacos and poke bowls. 

For example, ponzu is an extremely popular sauce to have with seafood dishes. The citrus acidity cuts through rich, oily fish perfectly – it’s incredibly popular as an accompaniment to sashimi, tataki, shrimp, crab, oysters and grilled fish. Ponzu is also known for adding a refreshing kick to rich umami flavours in meat and tofu dishes. It’s particularly delicious on shabu-shabu (Japanese hot pot dipping sauce), grilled steak or pork, chicken and tofu. 

Ponzu sauce is also fantastic as a dipping sauce or salad dressing. Seaweed and cucumber salads, cold soba, and grilled vegetable dishes are enhanced by the citrus ponzu flavours. Similarly, it also makes a delicious dipping sauce for gyoza, tempura, spring rolls and edamame, complementing and balancing the savoury flavours with a citrus tang.

There are several types of ponzu sauce, each with its own flavour balance and traditional uses!

Firstly, there is traditional ponzu, made from citrus juice (usually yuzu), rice vinegar, and sometimes mirin or dashi. It’s used mainly as a dressing or flavour base in many cooked and salad dishes. 

Bottled ponzu sauce often uses soy sauce – it’s very rich, and is mainly used as a dipping sauce for dumplings and sashimi. There are also many flavoured variations of ponzu, which chefs and home-cooking enthusiasts often like to use to add an interesting twist to their dishes. Garlic ponzu, spicy ponzu and tomato ponzu are all extremely popular variations that can be used in both traditional and fusion dishes. 

At The Wasabi Company, we have a range of different ponzu sauces to help you make amazing and unique dishes – such as yuzu ponzu, perfect for adding a sweet touch to meat and fish dishes, or our mikan ponzu, which combines multiple citrus flavours to add a fresh kick to vegetable dishes. We also have a fabulous vegan sudachi kombu ponzu. Discover our range today to find the perfect ponzu sauce for you! 

As well as our range of tasty and fresh pre-made ponzu sauces, we have a wide range of Japanese ingredients right here if you’d love to make it from scratch!

The main ingredient is yuzu – we have a range of yuzu products that are perfect for homemade ponzu sauce, including traditional yuzu juice from all over Japan and the world, including Kito, Wakayama, and Kochi!

If you want to go one step further and make your own yuzu juice or daidai juice, our range of fresh yuzu and Japanese citrus trees will make your ponzu sauce even more fresh and delicious! 

The shelf life of ponzu sauce depends on whether it’s store-bought or homemade. All of our products are selected for their high quality. Always follow the instructions on the bottle and refrigerate once opened with the top firmly closed to keep your ponzu sauce fresh. 

Ponzu sauce is an incredible addition to many dishes, both traditional and fusion-style. The versatile acidity and umami flavours make ponzu sauce fantastic on vegetables, meat and fish, as well as a dipping sauce for tempura, gyoza and more. 

If you’re looking to bring out the rich flavours of traditional meat dishes, why not try our Shabu Shabu Japanese hot-pot recipe, where your ponzu sauce will meld perfectly with the rib-eye for deep umami flavour. Of course, the citrus flavours of ponzu also work perfectly with fish and seafood - our spicy tempura prawns are perfect for showing off your culinary skills at a dinner party. And don’t forget that ponzu sauce is also a fantastic addition to many sushi dishes, adding a fresh, tangy kick to the fish and rice. 

For vegetarians and vegans, vegan ponzu sauce also works beautifully on many vegetable-based dishes. For example, our Sweet Miso Glazed Carrot, Butterbean & Black Rice Salad is greatly enhanced by the addition of ponzu, and it’s also fantastic as a dipping sauce for smaller dishes like our Corn, Wasabi & Finger Lime Fritters with Ponzu. 

Ponzu isn’t just citrus flavour – it often contains soy sauce, citrus juice (like yuzu or lemon), rice vinegar, mirin and sometimes katsuobushi and kombu (or dashi.) All these distinct flavours combined create a salty, fresh, smoky-sweet umami flavour that is incredibly versatile and perfect for meat, fish and vegetables.

Wondering what sauce is best for your dish? Take a look at our comparison table down below: 

Not always – it’s important to check the label before you buy. Many traditional variations of ponzu include dashi and katsuobushi, which aren’t vegan – they're made from fish. However, some ponzu sauces are vegan-friendly, such as our Sudachi Kombu Ponzu Sauce. 

All of our product pages will include a vegan or vegetarian symbol if applicable, so make sure to look out for this before you buy. Always check the label for bonito flakes, fish extract or dashi before eating.