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Appetizer

Homemade Japanese Ponzu Sauce

A refreshing and versatile citrus soy sauce that adds a bright pop of flavor to almost any meal.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Japanese· July 15, 2026
Homemade Japanese Ponzu Sauce
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
5 minutes
Cook
0 minutes
Total
24 hours
Serves
8

Ponzu is a staple in my kitchen because it perfectly balances salty, sour, and savory notes. It is so much better than the bottled versions you find at the store, and you only need a few basic ingredients to pull it together.

I love keeping a jar of this in the fridge to use as a quick dressing for crisp salads or a dipping sauce for grilled meats. My biggest tip is to let the sauce rest in the refrigerator for at least one day before you use it, as this gives the flavors time to mellow and meld together beautifully.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons mirin
  • 1 piece dried kombu about 2 inches square
  • 1 tablespoon dried bonito flakes

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine the soy sauce, lemon juice, rice vinegar, and mirin in a clean glass jar.

  2. 2

    Add the piece of dried kombu and the bonito flakes to the liquid.

  3. 3

    Seal the jar with a lid and give it a gentle shake to combine the ingredients.

  4. 4

    Place the jar in the refrigerator and let it steep for at least 24 hours.

  5. 5

    Remove the kombu and strain out the bonito flakes using a fine mesh sieve before serving.

  6. 6

    Store the finished sauce in the refrigerator and use it within two weeks.

💡 Tips

Try drizzling this sauce over steamed vegetables or seared fish for a quick flavor boost. If you want a bit of heat, feel free to add a pinch of chili flakes while the sauce steeps. Keep it stored in an airtight glass container in the fridge to maintain the best flavor.

#Japanese#Sauce#Condiment#Easy#Homemade

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