Ponzu is a condiment made from citrus juice and vinegar. Ponzu is often mixed with soy sauce, and ponzu with soy sauce is more common. When you eat a nabe dish such as mizutaki at a Japanese restaurant, you may find ponzu vinegar, grated radish, and scallions in a bowl for separating the ingredients. It is also used to pour over other fried foods and salads, or used in stewed dishes. This article introduces eight recommended ponzu vinegars. Try using them with dishes from your own country.
Mitsukan| Ajipon 360ml
Ajipon is a ponzu vinegar that has been loved by many people for a long time, more than 50 years since its release. Many Japanese people probably think of Ajipon when they think of ponzu. Ajipon is a refreshing blend of citrus juice, vinegar, soy sauce, and other ingredients. It can be used in a variety of ways, such as stewed chicken, stir-fried pork and cabbage, or poured over salads. Most Japanese households use 360 ml, but it is also available in 150 ml and 190 ml quantities for easy trial use.
＜Basic Information＞
Name: Ajipon
Distributor: Mizkan Co.
Suggested retail price: 307 yen (including tax)/360 ml
Mizkan Corporation – Kaori-no-Kura Maruboshi Yuzu (Yuzu Squeezed from the Whole Yuzu Juice) 360ml
This ponzu vinegar contains the juice of yuzu citrus fruits squeezed from their peels and soup stock made from bonito and kelp. Yuzu is one of the most widely produced citrus fruits in the world, especially in Japan, and its peel is often used as an aromatic flavor enhancer in Japanese cooking. It is also available in a small size (190 ml).
＜Basic Information＞
Name: Kaorinokura Maruboshi Yuzu
Distributor: Mizkan Co.
Suggested Retail Price: 509 yen (tax included)/360ml
Umaji Village|Yuzu no Mura 360ml
Umaji Village is a small village with a population of about 900 people in Kochi Prefecture, a major yuzu producing area. Yuzu no Mura, produced in Umaji Village, was launched in 1986. Yuzu juice, which has a perfect balance of aroma, acidity, and bitterness, is blended with soy sauce, bonito soup stock, and kombu soup stock to enhance the flavor of any dish. Outside of the standard nabe dishes, it is served with white fish and mushrooms, wrapped in foil and baked with a yuzu village, or served over salads. Recommended for those who want to try yuzu-focused ponzu.
<Basic Information＞
Name: Ponzu Soy Sauce Yuzu no Mura 360ml
Selling company: Umaji Village Agricultural Cooperative
Suggested retail price: 490 yen (tax included)/360ml
Choko Shoyu |Choko Shoyu Kyushu Nagasaki Yuzu Shoyu Kakepon 170ml
Kake-pon is a ponzu sauce popular among people of all ages, as it is easy to eat even for those who do not like the sour taste of ponzu, and even for children who do not like the taste of yuzu. In addition to the standard ingredients of Kochi yuzu, brewed vinegar, and soy sauce, it also contains san’on sugar, hon mirin (Japanese sweet cooking rice wine), and seafood extract, giving it a mellow taste. This ponzu is perfect for those who do not like acidity but would like to try ponzu.
<Basic Information＞
Name: Yuzu Shoyu Kakepon
Distributor: Choko Shoyu Co.
Suggested Retail Price: 313 yen (tax included) / 170ml
Asahi Shokuhin|Asahi Ponzu 360ml
This ponzu vinegar is made from three kinds of citrus juice from Tokushima Prefecture: sudachi, yuzu, and yuzu. Asahi Shokuhin was founded in 1948 in Yao City, Osaka Prefecture. Asahi Ponzu is a staple seasoning for Osaka residents who are particular about taste, and is made from ingredients such as Hokkaido Rishiri kelp and domestic dried shiitake mushrooms. It can be used in a wide range of dishes, such as seasoning stir-fries and stewed dishes.
<Basic Information＞
Name: Asahi Pons
Distributor: Asahi Shokuhin Co.
Suggested Retail Price: 1330 yen (tax included) / 360ml
KIKKOMAN FOODS | Shiboritate Nama Ponzu Vinegar 360ml
Ponzu made from freshly squeezed 100% domestically produced Yuzu, Sudachi, Kabosu, Seekwasa, and Daidaiji juice. The vinegar used is also apple vinegar, which gives it a fruity taste. Recommended for those who want to try a different kind of ponzu. It comes in a PET bottle, so it is easy to take home as a souvenir.
<Basic Information＞
Name: Shiboritate Nama Ponzu
Distributor: Kikkoman Corporation
Suggested retail price: 355 yen (excluding tax)/360 ml
Mitsukan|Mamapon 350ml
This product combines ponzu vinegar with yuzu juice and sesame seeds. Two types of sesame seeds are used: roasted, aromatic ground sesame and kneaded sesame. This ponzu has the richness of sesame seeds, but is also refreshing. It can be poured over thinly sliced boiled pork and cabbage or used with stewed fish. In Japan, dressing with sesame seeds is often used, so this is recommended for those seeking a uniquely Japanese dish.
<Basic Information＞
Name: Sesame Ponpo
Distributor: Mizkan Co.
Suggested retail price: 436 yen (tax included)/360 ml
Tokushima Sangyo |Ponzu vinegar with plenty of onions 400ml
This ponzu vinegar contains chopped onions with a crunchy texture. It contains Shikoku yuzu juice, soy sauce, bonito, and kelp extract, and is not too sour. It can be served over salad or tofu to enjoy the texture of onions more.
<Basic Information＞
Name: Plenty of Onion Ponzu
Distributor: Tokushima Sangyo Co.
Suggested Retail Price: 411 yen (tax included)/400 ml
Summary
Ponzu is a seasoning with a uniquely Japanese flavor created by the acidity of vinegar and citrus juice and the taste of soy sauce. Different products use different types of citrus fruits, so it is interesting to compare them. The ponzu vinegar introduced in this article can be purchased at supermarkets and drugstores. If you want to recreate Japanese nabe dishes at home, try buying some as souvenirs.
