16 Best Ponzu Sauce Substitutes For You

Today, let us explore the best ponzu sauce substitutes. If you are a fan of Japanese cuisine, I am sure you must have had ponzu sauce. It works extremely well, not just with Japanese food, but with various types of Asian cuisines!

However, have you been in a situation where you cannot find any ponzu sauce just when you decide to use it? In that case, there is no need to worry! This article has all the best substitutes for ponzu sauce. 

At this point, you might be wondering, what are the best substitutes for ponzu sauce? The best ponzu sauce substitutes are soy sauce, lemon juice, orange juice, seaweed, sake, yuzu kosho, Worcestershire sauce, shoyu, nam prik pla, and mentsuyu. 

However, before I start discussing the best ponzu sauce substitutes, let me help you understand ponzu sauce a little better. This will help you understand which substitute would work best. So, let’s get started!

Quick Peek: Ponzu Sauce

This section has all the information you need on ponzu sauce. You will also get to understand its flavor, texture, uses, and nutritional information. So, read on to know all about it!

What Is Ponzu Sauce?

Ponzu sauce is a citrus-based sauce commonly used in Japanese cuisine. There is a variant of ponzu sauce called ponzu shoyu, which is ponzu sauce with soy sauce added to it. The term ponzu originally came to the Japanese language from the Dutch word pons.

Pons means punch which is a beverage made with various fruit juices. The final ‘su,’ which means vinegar, was added to the word due to the sour taste of the sauce. Though originally Japanese, ponzu sauce has now gained popularity in various parts of the world. 

Describing Ponzu Sauce: Flavor And Texture

As far as the texture goes, ponzu sauce is thin with a watery consistency and is nearly colorless. The variant of ponzu with soy sauce added to it is much darker in color. As for the taste, ponzu sauce has a citrusy and tart flavor.

This is due to the citrus juice and vinegar used as the base. It has a flavor very similar to that of vinaigrette. The variation of ponzu sauce mixed with soy sauce has hints of umami flavor. 

Uses Of Ponzu Sauce

Ponzu sauce is originally used as a dressing for tataki, which is a way to prepare fish. It is also used as a dipping sauce for ‘Sabu Sabu,’ a Japanese hot pot. It is also used as a dipping sauce for sashimi, a sliced raw fish. 

However, it has now gained a lot of popularity outside of Japanese cuisine and even Asian cuisine! Most people use it as a marinade for braising and basting. In marinades especially, the citrus nature of the sauce helps tenderize the meat. 

Ponzu Sauce On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope

Ponzu sauce is generally used in small quantities in various recipes. Hence, it does not really provide too many nutritional values. However, ponzu sauce has no amount of fat or cholesterol, so that is definitely a plus!

Ponzu sauce generally contains high amounts of sodium. It has minute amounts of potassium, carbohydrates, and proteins as well. It has barely any necessary vital nutrients. Thanks to the citrus base, it does contain a high amount of vitamin C. 

Why Use A Substitute For Ponzu Sauce?

I am sure you must have wondered this by now. While there are many reasons to use ponzu sauce, there definitely are a few reasons as to why you can consider using a substitute for the same. 

Firstly, ponzu sauce may be difficult to find. Though ponzu sauce has now gained popularity outside of Japan, it is still difficult to find compared to various other substitute options given. Moreover, the citrus flavor of ponzu sauce might not be liked by everyone. 

Also, if you can find ponzu sauce, there are chances you might not stock it at home. So if you don’t have any handy, why run to the store? You can easily use a substitute instead! Quite a lot of the options given might already be present in your pantry!

I think I have given you enough information on ponzu sauce. Now, let me quickly take you to the main attraction of this article, the best ponzu sauce substitutes!

Best Ponzu Sauce Substitutes

This section has the best substitutes for ponzu sauce. Moreover, you will also get to understand how to use each substitute. So, let’s get started!

1. Soy Sauce

Soy sauce has a sharp umami flavor. Though it does not have the exact same flavor profile as ponzu sauce, different variations of soy sauce can definitely be used as a substitute for ponzu sauce. 

Soy sauce has a rich umami flavor, making it a good substitute for ponzu sauce. However, you can use soy sauce with various other sour ingredients added to it to get the sour flavor. 

Soy sauce combined with vinegar, lemon juice, or orange juice gives it a sour taste that can replicate ponzu sauce’s flavor. Soy sauce and its variations can be used in any recipe as a substitute for ponzu sauce. 

2. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is extremely acidic and has the same citrus flavor as ponzu sauce. It can be used in various recipes as a substitute for ponzu sauce. 

Lemon juice might not be the perfect substitute when you want to replace ponzu sauce for dipping. However, if you plan to use ponzu sauce for marination or basting, lemon juice can work as a great substitute. 

The high amount of acid content in lemon juice will help tenderize your meat the same way as ponzu sauce. You can use lemon juice as a substitute for ponzu sauce in a 1:1 ratio. 

3. Orange Juice

Orange juice is another highly acidic ingredient and has a citrus flavor. Though not in all recipes, orange juice can make a good substitute for ponzu sauce in certain places. 

Similar to lemon juice, orange juice might not be a great option for a dipping sauce substitute. However, it does work well in marinades, braising, and basting meats as a substitute for ponzu sauce. 

Moreover, in case you do want to use orange juice for a dipping ponzu sauce replacement, you can combine it with some soy sauce. You can use orange juice as a substitute in a 1:1 ratio in marinades, braising, and basting meats. 

4. Yuzu Kosho

Japanese yuzu is a great citrus fruit. It has an acidic flavor which is used to make a condiment called yuzu kosho. This can work as a great substitute for ponzu sauce. 

Yuzu kosho is made with fresh chilies and fermented with salt, along with the zest and juice of yuzu. It has an acidic taste and is not very hot, despite the use of chilies. The acidic taste of this condiment works well as a dipping sauce in place of ponzu sauce. 

Moreover, similar to ponzu sauce, yuzu kosho can also be used in cooking and making marinades. Generally, a 1:1 ratio of substitution works well for yuzu kosho. 

5. Sake

Sake is an alcoholic beverage from Japan made by fermenting rice. It tastes similar to white wine and can be used as a substitute for ponzu sauce in various recipes. 

Sake generally works well with meat. It helps tenderize meat, similar to other citrus variants in this article. Sake can be used in marination and to make various stir-fries in place of ponzu sauce. 

Moreover, similar to various citrus-based juices, sake can be combined with soy sauce to use as a dipping sauce. However, sake does work better for cooking rather than for dipping. It can be used as a substitute in a 1:1 ratio. 

6. Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce has vinegar as one of the ingredients. It has a lovely umami taste and can work as a ponzu sauce substitute in various ways. 

Worcestershire sauce can easily replace ponzu sauce as a dipping sauce. The sauce’s flavor is quite intense and will give you a very similar flavor profile. You can also use Worcestershire sauce in marinades and various stir-fried dishes and stews. 

In case you want to cut down on the umami flavor and want the sauce to be more acidic, you can add in some extra vinegar. Worcestershire sauce can generally be used as a substitute in a 1:1 ratio. 

7. Mentsuyu

Mentsuyu is a Japanese soup base made with essentially almost the same ingredients as ponzu sauce. Hence, it can be used as a substitute for the same. 

Mentsuyu has a sweet and spicy taste that can work really well in various recipes. However, it does not have the same acidity as ponzu sauce does. For that, you can mix the mentsuyu with some lemon juice or vinegar. 

The vinegar or lemon juice added to the mentsuyu will contribute to a great acidic flavor and hence can be used as a dipping sauce and for cooking. To combine an acid base with mentsuyu, add one part of the acid base to 4 parts of mentsuyu. 

8. Seaweed

Seaweed has a salty and briny taste. Though not a sauce, it can still work as a substitute for ponzu sauce. 

Dried seaweed has an umami flavor and can work as a great vegan and vegetarian alternative for ponzu sauce. Kombu is a type of seaweed that works best in this case. You can chop up the seaweed and add it to your favorite dipping sauce. 

This way, it will impart a flavor very similar to ponzu sauce. Moreover, seaweed can be mixed with acidic bases and used in cooking as a ponzu sauce substitute. 

9. Nam Prik Pla

Nam prik pla is a Thai dipping sauce. It has a balance of various flavors such as salty, sweet, sour, and spicy, similar to ponzu sauce. Hence, it can be used as a substitute for the same. 

Nam prik pla is, however, a little spicier than ponzu sauce. In that case, you can see what recipe you are using the ponzu sauce for. If the recipe already has spicy ingredients, you can avoid adding those and use this condiment instead. 

Since it does contain an acidic base, nam prik pla has enough sour taste, similar to ponzu sauce. It can be used as a substitute for ponzu sauce in a 1:1 ratio. 

10. Shoyu

Shoyu is a Japanese-style soy sauce. It has a savory and umami flavor, similar to soy sauce. It can be used as a ponzu sauce substitute in certain recipes. 

Similar to soy sauce, shoyu has a more umami flavor than a sourness similar to ponzu sauce. However, shoyu can also be combined with various acid-based ingredients such as vinegar, lemon juice, or any other citrus juice. 

This will add to the sourness of the sauce and give it a flavor more similar to ponzu sauce. It can be used as a dipping sauce and in cooking. Follow a 1:1 ratio while using it as a substitute for ponzu sauce. 

11. Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is a common condiment in Cantonese cooking. It has a sweet and salty flavor. When combined with an acidic base, it makes a great substitute for ponzu sauce. 

Hoisin sauce particularly makes a great condiment for glazing meats. Moreover, it can be used in marinades and basting, along with simply as a dipping sauce. The best way to get the acidic flavor is to combine the sauce with equal parts of rice vinegar. 

Moreover, you can also combine it with various other ingredients to add to its flavor. You can use hoisin sauce as a ponzu sauce substitute in a 1:1 ratio. 

12. Korean Barbecue Sauce

Korean barbecue sauce is made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and sesame oil. It has a slightly sweet flavor. However, it can be used as a substitute for ponzu sauce. 

This condiment is again excellent for glazing meats. Moreover, it works well in marinades, stews, and stir-fried dishes too. The sauce does contain vinegar. However, it still has a slightly sweet lingering taste. 

In case the taste of this sauce is too sweet for you, you can combine it with some rice vinegar. Use equal parts of rice vinegar and Korean barbecue sauce to get a balanced flavor. This combination can be used in a 1:1 ratio as a ponzu sauce substitute. 

13. Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki sauce is quite similar to Korean barbecue sauce in terms of flavor and texture. When combined with an acidic base, it makes a good substitute for ponzu sauce. 

Teriyaki sauce is made using soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, mirin, and ginger. It again works exceptionally well for glazing meats and in stews and stir-fried dishes. However, it can also be used as a dipping sauce. 

To get a flavor similar to ponzu sauce, combine two parts of teriyaki sauce with one part of rice vinegar. That should generally do the trick to give it an acidic flavor. You can use this combination as a ponzu sauce substitute in a 1:1 ratio. 

14. Tonkatsu Sauce

Tonkatsu sauce is a Japanese condiment. It is sweet with a tinge of sourness from vinegar and lemon juice. It can work as a great substitute for ponzu sauce in various recipes. 

Tonkatsu sauce was originally made by combining Worcestershire sauce and tomato ketchup. However, now this sauce is made by fermenting various fruits and vegetables with soy sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar. 

Tonkatsu sauce generally has a similar acidity to ponzu sauce. However, in case it does not seem acidic enough to you, you can combine it with some rice vinegar. This can be used as a substitute for ponzu sauce in a 1:1 ratio. 

15. Fish Sauce

Fish sauce has a salty, rich, and umami flavor from fermented fish. Though the flavor profile does not exactly match that of ponzu sauce, fish sauce can be used as a substitute for the same. 

Fish sauce might already be present in your pantry, especially if you like cooking Asian food. Hence, it makes an easy substitute for ponzu sauce. In case the umami flavor seems too rich to you, there are ways to cut it down. 

You can combine the fish sauce with some amount of brown sugar and vinegar or lemon juice. This will generally do the trick. Use this combination in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute for ponzu sauce. 

16. Homemade Ponzu Sauce

In case you have the time, try making a homemade ponzu sauce. This will definitely give the closest flavor profile to store-bought ponzu sauce. 

The ingredients and method for making homemade ponzu sauce are given below. 

Ingredients :

2 tablespoons of soy sauce

2 tablespoons of rice vinegar

½ tablespoon of mirin

1 tablespoon of bonito flakes 

¼ cup of lemon juice

Method:

1. Combine all the ingredients together in a pot, except the lemon juice. 
2. Bring this mixture to a boil. Once boiled, take this mixture off the flame and let it cool completely. 
3. Once it has cooled down, strain the mixture and then whisk in the lemon juice. Store this in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Short Recap For Best Ponzu Sauce Substitutes

Those definitely were a lot of substitutes for ponzu sauce. However, I am sure such a long list may have confused you about which substitute would work best. Do not worry! I have broken it down further for you. Have a look!

Most Suitable: The most suitable ponzu sauce substitute is tonkatsu sauce. 

Easily Available : Lemon juice, soy sauce, orange juice, and Worcestershire sauce are the most easily available substitutes for ponzu sauce. 

Best Flavor Profile: Homemade ponzu sauce will give the best flavor profile when used as a substitute for ponzu sauce. 

Final Word

As we have come to the end this article, I hope it has helped you find the best ponzu sauce substitutes. Ponzu sauce can sometimes be a difficult flavor to replicate.

However, with most of the combinations given above, you can definitely achieve a flavor similar to ponzu sauce. All the substitutes given above are extremely worthy alternatives for ponzu sauce.

You can pick the flavor combination that best suits your recipe and your flavor profile. So, the next time you are all out of ponzu sauce, do give one of the substitutes a try!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)