The Best Ponzu Sauce Substitute? (SHOULD Replace This NOW!)

9 Shares

Have you heard of ponzu sauce before? If you haven’t, then you’re in for a treat!

Well, not literally, as ponzu sauce isn’t sweet but gives excellent flavor in Japanese cooking. (*)

You can often find people using ponzu sauce in Japan as a dipping sauce for shabu-shabu, gyoza, grilled fish, and sashimi, among other dishes.

We also love ponzu sauce mixed with a bit of mayonnaise to use as a salad dressing.

Before we get ahead of ourselves and drool over these yummy dishes, the next question is: What if you have no ponzu sauce?

It’s understandable because it’s not easy to find ponzu sauce just anywhere.

Some supermarkets would carry it, while some areas would only have it in Japanese grocery stores. Unfortunately, not every area would bring this Japanese sauce, so you’re left to order it online.

But what if you’re already in the middle of your recipe?

Is your Japanese-style dinner doomed?

No!

You can use numerous ponzu sauce substitutes, some of which you probably already have at home.

Check out our extensive list so you can get to your Japanese cooking successfully.

Table Of Contents

Top 11 Good Substitutes For Ponzu Sauce You Might Now Know!
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrapping It Up

Top 11 Good Substitutes For Ponzu Sauce You Might Now Know!

If there’s one thing we have to thank for tastier dishes, it’s sauces! It’s a staple ingredient, and we can’t deny its value in our savory recipes.

Ponzu sauce is one of the sauces to appreciate, especially in Japanese cooking.

This Japanese seasoning is made with various complex ingredients, with an exciting flavor mix ranging from sweet and bitter to umami!

It has a thin and watery consistency with a light brown color that’s almost golden and very transparent. Think of it as watered-down soy sauce but bursting with flavor.

Fun fact: The word “ponzu” comes from the Dutch words “pons,” meaning punch, and “Zu,” which was vinegar. This loosely translates to fruit vinegar!

Traditionally, you use it as dressing for tataki, which is a way to prepare meat and fish dishes in Japanese recipes. Today, it’s a very versatile sauce you can use as a dip, marinade, or basting sauce.

Without commercial ponzu sauce, what can you use for your Japanese dishes? Try any of these alternatives:

1. Soy Sauce

You can easily find soy sauce in any supermarket, making it an effective substitute for ponzu sauce. Plus, it has the umami flavor profile you can get from ponzu sauce.

While soy sauce has a different texture, it still works well and can be used in equal quantities. If you use it as marinara sauce, we recommend blending soy sauce with a bit of flour to thicken it.

You can use it as a marinade or dipping sauce, but we also recommend adding more ingredients to nail the genuine ponzu sauce flavor you’re looking for.

Here’s a recipe you can follow:

1/4 cup of soy sauce
Two tablespoons of fresh orange juice
One tablespoon of lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon of rice vinegar
One tablespoon of water

Mix these, then leave them overnight. It’s perfect with grilled fish dishes and other exotic ingredients.

2. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is very acidic and has low pH levels, so those fruity tones and flavors will do well if you have no ponzu sauce.

You can use equal amounts of lemon juice to replace ponzu sauce. Avoid adding any more as the acidity from lemon juice can overpower your recipe from the high acidity levels.

3. Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar is made of aged rice from East Asia, which works amazingly in soups and rice dishes. It doesn’t have high acidity levels but a

4. Orange Juice / Yuzu Kosho

Besides lemon juice, you can also try orange juice, which offers a citrusy aroma and fruity flavor ideal for baked goods and fruit-based recipes.

When using orange juice in baked goods, one teaspoon of orange juice equals 2-3 drops of ponzu sauce. That way, you get the citrusy smell and flavor you look for from ponzu sauce.

Alternatively, you can try yuzu kosho if you have it in your supermarket.

Yuzu kosho is a famous Japanese citrus fruit with a unique aroma. When using the juice, you’ll get a fruitier and more intense flavor that works amazingly in steak, noodle dishes, and sashimi.

5. Worcestershire Sauce

image of Replace With worcestershire sauce

Worcestershire sauce is pretty similar to ponzu sauce. It has anchovies and tamarind, replacing the bonito flakes and citrus juice from ponzu sauce. (*)

Plus, like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce is easy to find and a staple in kitchens from various countries. However, Worcestershire sauce contains spices that may step away from the flavor you find in ponzu sauce.

Nonetheless, they have the same primary elements, and it’s great to use worcestershire sauce when marinating meat in Japanese dishes.

6. Seaweed

Seaweed is a rich ingredient that veggie lovers will appreciate when using it to substitute for ponzu sauce.

You won’t notice seaweed as you use it in vegetable dishes, and you can find it in varied flavors for more taste.

You can use it in cooked vegetables or raw salads as it delivers a tasty and pungent flavor to any dish. For every teaspoon of ponzu sauce required, use 1-2 pieces of seaweed.

7. Sake

Sake is a Japanese drink made from mature rice, with a process similar to a lager.

You get a nutty and fruity aroma not as pronounced as wine but a good substitute for ponzu sauce in meat dishes. Make sure you stew sake with the food to further upgrade the dish’s taste.

8. Mentsuyu

Mentsuyu is another Japanese flavoring made of soy sauce, mirin, sugar, dashi, salt, and other ingredients. (*) Since it has dashi stock and different flavors, such as the sweetness from sugar, you’ll get a richer and more complex flavor.

You’ll get a mix of sweet and spicy flavors from mentsuyu, so we recommend adding a bit of vinegar or lemon juice. But if you think it has a more solid flavor, you can add water to dilute it.

9. Nam Prik Pla

Nam prik pla is a Thai condiment made from lime juice, fish sauce, and chilies. However, note that the hot chilies aren’t part of Japanese cuisine, so we recommend removing them. The other ingredients will do well with your dish, though don’t expect authentic ponzu sauce flavors.

With this substitute for ponzu sauce, you’ll get the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and salty, which complements many dishes. It works best when making Thai food, but you can use it in other cuisines.

10. Shoyu

Shoyu is not to be mistaken for soy sauce!

This is a common compound you can find in ponzu sauce, helping with its stability and lifespan. Furthermore, it’s a vital component in ponzu sauce’s flavor profile, making it a suitable substitute for ponzu sauce.

We recommend using it as a marinade and adding lemon juice or vinegar for more acidity. For every teaspoon of Ponzu sauce, use 1 1/2 teaspoons of shoyu.

11. Make Homemade Ponzu Sauce

Yes, you can make your own ponzu sauce!

There are so many ponzu sauce recipes you can follow based on what you’re making and the ingredients you have at home.

Here is one of the ponzu sauce recipes to try.

Ingredients:

Three tablespoons mirin
Two tablespoons rice vinegar
One tablespoon soy sauce
Two tablespoons bonito flakes
1/4 cup of yuzu juice (lime or lemon juice also works well for. the citrus flavor)

Directions:

Mix the first four ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. After you have mixed it well, remove your pan from heat, allowing it to cool.
Strain and pour the sauce into a bowl; removing the bonito flakes, add the citrus juice.
Pour the mixture into a glass jar, then place it in the fridge for three days.
Serve or use it in recipes when needed!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have any questions left regarding this Japanese sauce? We’ve got you covered with our frequently asked questions below:

Can I use teriyaki sauce to substitute ponzu sauce?

It’s possible to use teriyaki sauce as a substitute for ponzu sauce, as they have similar arrangements and flavor profiles.

Fun fact: Ponzu sauce is made of juice from different citrus organic products from Japan, like lemon, sudachi, kabosu, and yuzu! It’s also made with sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce balance of savory and tart taste.

Is ponzu sauce the same as hoisin sauce?

If Japan has ponzu sauce, China has Hoisin sauce! You can find Hoisin sauce in Chinese food, particularly in Guangdong.

While ponzu sauce is deliciously tart, Hoisin sauce tastes sweet and exquisite, which we love in Peking roast duck!

Are there different types of ponzu sauce?

Yes, there are three different kinds, which are:

+ Ponzu sauce is the original version that consists of only citrus juice and brewed vinegar. It’s light yellow and almost golden as it has no soy sauce. Expect a mild and less intense flavor, but it will pair well with fish and pork.

+ Raw ponzu sauce is not as known as the others and also hard to find. This sauce uses the freshest ingredients possible, made from freshly-squeezed citrus juice frozen in four hours, preserving as much flavor.

+ Ponzu soy sauce is the most common type, having more complex flavors. For added flavor, it has citrus juice, vinegar, soy sauce, salt, sugar, and other spices. It’s very versatile, and you can find manufacturers playing around with the flavored ingredients and spices (like the type of vinegar used).

+ Kombu ponzu sauce has soy sauce and kombu dashi stock, a Japanese stock made of kombu seaweed. As a result, you get the dark colors and umami flavor from the dashi stock that still tastes refreshing with the citrus juices.

+ Yuzu ponzu sauce is made with yuzu citrus, having complex and floral flavors. You get a tart taste with notes of mandarin oranges and grapefruit juice.

+ Sesame ponzu sauce is made with sesame paste or ground sesame, adding a bit of nuttiness to the sauce’s flavor profile.

What do you use ponzu sauce for?

It is traditionally used for tataki and as a dip for dishes such as shabu-shabu or sashimi. However, you can now find it in non-Asian countries!

When using ponzu as a marinade, the acidity from the vinegar and citrus juice will help it tenderize the meat proteins while infusing flavor. You also have a well-balanced marinade because of the sweet and floral citrus notes.

When using it as a dipping sauce, you can use it as is or as an ingredient in sauce recipes. It pairs well in sashimi, dumplings, and spring rolls.

When using this sauce in recipes, add it at the end of the process. That way, you can develop enough flavors without overcooking it.

Wrapping It Up

Authentic ponzu sauce may be challenging to find in your area, but that doesn’t mean you can’t nail the recipe with a substitute. Hopefully, our list gave you a suitable alternative for your favorite Asian entrée!