Japanese food

Last update October 16, 2025

Japanese Food - Ponzu -



           

Ponzu
[poh-n-zuh]

Citrus Vinegar Sauce

Ponzu typically refers to a blend of citrus juice, vinegar, and often, Shōyu. Many Ponzu products available on the market also contain other seasoning ingredients such as Mirin, Kombu, and Katsuo Bushi essences. Widely used as a salad dressing or a dip for various Nabe Ryōri, including Yu Dōfu, Chiri Nabe (fish nabe) and Mizu Taki (plain water boiling). By the way, what’s the origin of the name “Ponzu”? A record says that it was derived from Pons, a Dutch word meaning “aperitif”. But the Japanese people in the Edo Period (1603-1867) didn’t have the custom of an aperitif, so the name began to refer to fruit juice and eventually to citrus-based vinegar.

japanese-food-ponzu
Ponzu poured in a small dipping dish. 		japanese-food-ponzu
A Ponzu product. 		japanese-food-ponzu
A Ponzu product featuring Kombu in Hokkaido.
japanese-food-ponzu
Ponzu poured in a small dipping dish.

japanese-food-ponzu
A Ponzu product.

japanese-food-ponzu
A Ponzu product featuring Kombu in Hokkaido.