Ponzu sauce is heavily used in Japanese cuisine, although it can sometimes be difficult to find outside of Japan. It commonly appears served with foods like sashimi, tempura, and rice, although the distinctive sweet, sour, slightly salty flavor complements a wide range of foods. In Japan, ponzu is made with a citrus fruit called yuzu which can be difficult to obtain outside of Asia. Cooks can substitute yuzu with other citrus ingredients to closely replicate the original distinctive flavor of authentic ponzu.

To make ponzu, cooks simmer mirin, a type of sweet Japanese rice wine, with rice vinegar, bonito flakes, and seaweed. After the mixture has risen to the boil, it is taken off the stove to cool and strained to remove the large particles of bonito flakes and seaweed. Yuzu juice is added to the mixture and then it is served or stored in glass containers under refrigeration for up to one week. Ponzu is also available in bottled form, although the stabilizers which are used tend to make it taste thin and somethat bitter.

Replicating the flavor of yuzu can be difficult for Western cooks. The citrus has a strongly tart flavor which resembles that of lemon or limes, but it is a little bit different. Yuzu is available in some Japanese specialty stores in juice form, although the juice is sometimes a bit thin and metallic in flavor. Some cooks combine grapefruit and lemon juices to approximate the distinctive flavor, or add orange juice for additional sweetness.

Experimenting with ponzu is well worth it: the unique flavor of the sauce can be used to delight and surprise dinner guests. You may want to try making several batches of ponzu with various types of citrus fruits to play around with the flavor, or try making ponzu shoyu, ponzu with soy sauce added. Some cooks also use sake instead of rice wine for a more tart, slightly bitter flavor. For a more Western flavor, try caramelizing shallots or green onions and adding them to the ponzu.

Ponzu is excellent as a dipping sauce or marinade. Fish, meat, and tofu all benefit from marination in ponzu, and are delicious grilled. As a dipping sauce, ponzu goes well with a wide variety of sushi dishes, spring rolls, and tempura vegetables, along with various plain grilled foods. Many Japanese restaurants also serve ponzu along with other dipping sauces in accompaniment to traditional hot pot dishes for a casual meal which combines a multitude of delicious and fun flavors.