What Is Yuzu Ponzu? Discover Japan’s Zesty Secret Ingredient

This bright, citrusy, umami-packed sauce is one of Japanese’s most delicious exports and it’s starting to grow in popularity in the UK too.

If you’ve ever wondered “What is Yuzu Ponzu?”, you’re not alone. This bright, citrusy, umami-packed sauce is one of Japanese’s most delicious exports and it’s starting to grow in popularity in the UK too.

In this blog, we’ll explore what yuzu ponzu is, how it’s made, and how to use it in the kitchen. Let’s dive in!

Shop Yuzu Ponzu Here

What Is Yuzu Ponzu?

Yuzu ponzu sauce is a tangy, aromatic Japanese condiment made by blending yuzu citrus juice with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sometimes a touch of mirin or kombu (kelp) too.

From that blend of tasty ingredients, you get a delicately balanced sauce that’s salty, tart, savoury, with refreshing yuzu citrus notes.

For those who don’t know, yuzu is a prized citrus fruit in Japan, known for its fragrant, floral notes and sharp acidity. Its flavour profile is a tongue-tingling mix of lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit notes.

And, when combined with the umami depth of soy sauce and the brightness of vinegar in yuzu ponzu, it creates a sauce that transforms even the simplest dish into something extraordinary.

So you can almost think of it as a citrussy soy sauce and you can use it in many of the same ways as soy sauce too!

How Is Yuzu Ponzu Made?

Traditionally, ponzu starts as a soy sauce-based mixture infused with ingredients like katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), kombu, and citrus juice. When yuzu is used as the main citrus element, the sauce becomes yuzu ponzu.

At Mizkan, our yuzu ponzu is crafted with authentic Japanese ingredients, including hand-harvested yuzu from Japan’s mountainous regions.

Each bottle captures the tang of yuzu with the smooth umami of craft-brewed soy sauce, staying true to time-honoured Japanese methods.

How to Use Yuzu Ponzu Sauce

One of the best things about yuzu ponzu sauce is its versatility. It’s a flavour booster that works really well in both traditional Japanese dishes and fusion meals. Here are some inspiring ways to use it:

1. As a Dipping Sauce

Perfect for dumplings, grilled meat and vegetables, or sashimi, yuzu ponzu adds a clean, citrusy brightness that cuts through rich flavours when used as a dipping sauce.

Check out our gyoza recipe with yuzu ponzu dipping sauce.

2. In Dressings

Yuzu ponzu is so deliciously complex, it works as a salad dressing on its own. All you have to do is pour a little over your salad and mix.

You have got to try our noodle salad with yuzu ponzu dressing.

3. As a Finishing Touch

Drizzle over grilled vegetables, noodles, or stir-fries to add depth and zing in seconds.

For a quick weeknight dinner, give our quick veg stir-fry a go with yuzu ponzu.

4. In Fusion Recipes

Yuzu Ponzu works wonderfully in fusion dishes too — think tacos, ceviche, and even steak night.

Steak marinated in yuzu ponzu can not be missed.

Where to Buy Yuzu Ponzu

Mizkan Yuzu Ponzu is available to buy on Ocado!

Buy Yuzu Ponzu Here!