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The 10 Best Japanese Ponzu Brands and My All Time Favorite

I am amused to see so many online sources touting their ponzu recipe because it is like searching in Japanese and finding a thousand and one recipes for Mexican pozole by Japanese media outlets (no mames guey, Chino).

Yet, all these sites, food bloggers, and more have their “Japanese ponzu sauce” recipe, aye guey

These are some of the best bottled Japanese ponzu brands that I have tried and used extensively over the last couple of decades as a Japanese American, along with my all-time favorite.

Just like Worcestershire, ponzu has a base including fish. Worcestershire utilizes anchovies, and ponzu uses smoked and fermented skipjack tuna (there are vegan options).

I have worked in a Japanese restaurant where we produced our in-house ponzu mixture, but you will not find that recipe or any recipes on Oishii-desu. I will always refer you to other sites with recipes, like NHK Japan (recipe), Just One Cookbook (recipe), and misosoup.site (how to use ponzu).

My contribution is well over a couple of decades of experience trying and using all sorts of bottled Japanese ponzu. I do not have a test kitchen, and this is not the first time I have had ponzu, so you will not find me calling ponzu a “ponzu sauce” because that would be like saying “ketchup sauce.” Also, you keep seeing it worded that way because people cite “ponzu sauce” purely for Google keyword search, which perpetuates the issue.

Japanese Citrus is One Reason Why You Want a Bottled Ponzu

Japanese citrus is one of the major reasons against producing your own which would require several other ingredients that range in quality although the main complication is the citrus. Oh, and it will not have the shelf life of a bottled product and is perishable.

The primary components of a ponzu are vegan ingredients (soybeans, wheat, kelp, rice, and citrus) since Japan was a vegan country for upwards of 1,200 years.

The pescatarian components are a dried/smoked and fermented skipjack tuna which is used throughout Japanese cuisine like miso soup.

The primary components of a ponzu:

  • Soy sauce (shoyu): there are five types of Japanese soy sauce and a ton of other non-Japanese soy sauce, so which one do you use? Most recipe sites do not stipulate which because most are clueless (Masterclass written by Masterclass will cite tamari because that’s the “hip” one to cite, except there are mistakes throughout their copy, so that content seems questionable).
  • Citrus (pons/Dutch): regions around the globe have different types of citrus, and Japan has sudachi (Citrus sudachi), daidai (Citrus aurantium), kabosu (Citrus sphaerocarpa), and yuzu (Citrus junos). Both sudachi (green and smaller) and kabosu (green to yellow when ripe) look similar in texture and size, and if you look at any Americanized recipe, they will cite lemon (Citrus limon) and lime (from Citrus aurantiifolia to latifolia) which are not an exactly a yuzu to yuzu comparison.
  • Rice vinegar/vinegar (su): depending on the type of citrus used, and the sort of flavor profile you are looking for, it may contain rice vinegar, vinegar, or an apple cider vinegar.

There are sites that say you can substitute pineapple for oranges, mangoes, or green apples, and if you are like “nawwww,” that is how I feel about yuzu or sudachi substitutes or vegan bacon (not even close).

Look at any recipe site, and you will see every wannabe cook in the comments section touting their substitutes (that is their flex). Great, but first try the experience of a genuine Japanese iteration (no substitute).

The base dashi of ponzu (pescatarian):

  • Awase (konbu/bonito flakes): like anything Japanese from a nikiri to tare, you will find a base dashi and mirin/sake/shoyu combination. The vegan version will utilize either kelp and shiitake combination or only kelp.

Additional elements:

  • Myoga and green bell peppers. WTF: this is the craziest one I have seen and it is on NHK World-Japan by Michiko Matsuda. I say crazy because seeing garlic and bell peppers are two ingredients I do not associate with Japanese cuisine, but I do love myoga (it’s like a shallot mixed with ginger).

DOP stands for the Italian phrase Denominazione d’ Origine Protetta (roughly, “protected designation of origin”). DOP makes food enjoyable because you can taste the ingredients and flavors of a region. The same goes for Japanese products/brands.

Yet, somewhere in a comments section, somebody is trying to brag that they substituted red bell peppers for their San Marzano’s.

What is Ponzu Used For

Walmart gets it right versus World Market labeling ponzu strictly for “Asian-inspired dishes” because sriracha has South East Asian roots, yet all of us have found a way to put it on anything and everything. The same goes for chilies, which originated out of Central America, and the Aztecs, who contributed to one product centuries later marketed as “I put that sh*t on everything,” not only Latin-inspired dishes.

“A savory sauce with a lingering sourness from Japanese citrus fruits. Extremely versatile and easily expanding into many styles of cooking as a spice-up seasoning.”

– Walmart

Also, soy sauce is in Peruvian Chifa (Chinese) cuisine, like lomo saltado, yet most people would not associate it with being Asian. So any dish you want a bit of saltiness mixed in with citrus is a match. So try it in ceviche, or in any and all foods from Latin America, Africa (poulet yassa), to Europe (calamari/squid dishes: grilled or fried to fish and chips) will find a place for ponzu.

  1. Grilled foods like beef, chicken, seafood, and pork.
  2. Deep-fried foods like calamari or oysters.
  3. Vegetables to salads.
  4. Japanese cuisine: shabu shabu (hot pot/nabe) dipping sauce, tatami (tuna), sashimi, gyoza, to a broiled hamachi collar topped off with ponzu and green onions.

Japanese Bottled Ponzu Ingredients

Since I cook, I love to see the ingredients list of ponzu, so I have listed every ponzu brand’s ingredients, along with how I think they standout from one another.

BRANDHOW IT DIFFERSINGREDIENTS LIST
Kikkoman Ponzu (Lemon)Lemon
Orange
Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Water, Sugar, Vinegar, Salt, Bonito Extract (Fish), Lactic Acid, Lemon Juice, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Lemon and Orange Flavors with Other Natural Flavors, Succinic Acid, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Sodium Benzoate: Less than 1/10 of 1% as a preservative.
Kikkoman Ponzu (Lime)LimeWater, Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt, Alcohol), Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Lime Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavor, Yeast Extract, Sodium Benzoate: Less That 1/10 of 1% as a preservative.
Kikkoman
Ponzu Chili
Lemon
w/some
spice
Water, Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt, Alcohol), Sugar, Vinegar, Salt, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate: Less That 1/10 of 1% as a preservative, Garlic Powder, Spice.
Kikkoman Yuzuka Yuzu PonzuA lot of
yuzu w/
a hint of
apple-cider
vinegar
Soy sauce, yuzu citrus juice, salt, sugar, fermented vinegar, apple-cider vinegar, kombu (kelp), mirin (sweet sake), alcohol.
Marukan Ponzu (Sudachi)Gluten-
free
ponzu w/lemon
& sudach
i
Water, Tamari Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar), Sugar, Rice Vinegar, Sudachi Citrus Juice, Citric Acid, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Sudachi Essence, Yeast Extract.
Marukan Ponzu (Yuzu)Gluten-free with yuzu and lemonWater, Tamari Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar), Sugar, Rice Vinegar, Yuzu Citrus Juice, Salt, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Citric Acid, Yuzu Essence.
Miyako
Ponzu
Ajipon
Umami laden ponzu with 3 citrus juicesNaturally Brewed Soy Sauce (Water, Soy beans, Wheat, Salt), Filtered Water, Glucose, Distilled Vinegar, Sweet Sake, Kombu Extract, Bonito Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Citrus Juice (Orange, Lemon, Lime Juice from Concentrates) and Natural Flavor
Mizkan AjiponBasic yet a solid ponzuSoy sauce, glucose fructose liquid sugar, citrus juice, vinegar, salt.
Muso Organic Ponzu SauceA brand that delivers with organic (includes shiitake)Water, Shoyu* (Water, Soybeans*, Wheat*, Sea Salt), Rice Vinegar* (Water, Rice*), Yuzu Citrus*, Potato Syrup (Potato Starch, Barley Malt), Salt, Yuko and and Sudachi Citrus*, Salted Sake* (Water, Rice*, Salt), Kombu Seaweed, Dried Shiitake Mushrooms* *=Organic Ingredients. Contains Soybeans, Wheat, Certified Organic by JOA.
Otafuku
Ponzu
Restaurant supply sized lemon and yuzu ponzuWater, Soy Sauce(Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt, Citric Acid), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Yuzu Juice, Salt, Concentrated Bonito Broth(Bonito Extract, Sugar, Yeast Extract, Dextrin, Alcohol), Yeast Extract, Kelp Extract(Kelp Extract, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate[Corn, Potato, SUgarcane]), Alcohol, Salt Xanthan Gum. CONTAINS: Fish(Bonito), Soy, Wheat
Otafuku
Vegan
Ponzu
Known for vegan sauces, Otafuku comes through once againWater, Citrus Juice (Lemon, Yuzu, Yukou and Sudachi), Vinegar, Sugar, Soy Sauce (Soy Beans, Water, Salt), Salt, Yeast Extract.
Suehiro
Ponzu
A dark soy sauce ponzu 4 citrus blendDark Soy Sauce (Water, Soybean, Wheat, Salt, Alcohol), Citrus Juice (Yuzu, Citrus Sudachi, Bitter Orange, Yukou Citrus), Mirin (Rice, Rice Koji, Brewing Alcohol, Starch), Konbu Dashi (Water, Kelp), Sugar.
Teraoka
Organic
Yuzu Ponzu
It’s “organic,” now you’ll be a better personOrganic soy sauce (soybean, wheat), organic rice vinegar, organic yuzu citrus juice, organic sugar, bonito flake, salt, yeast extract, vitamin C. Made in Japan.
Umaji-mura Yuzu PonzuMy all time favorite yuzu ponzuHonjozo shoyu, Jozo vinegar, Fructose glucose syrup, Dried bonito extract, Seaweed extract, Mirin, Seasoning including amino acid, Sake, Sweetener, and soy wheat.
Yamasan
Ponzu
A brand known for organic teaKoikuchi soy sauce, citrus juice (yuzu, sudachi, daidai, yuko), mirin, kelp soup stock, sugar (some of the raw materials include soybean wheat)
Ponzu ingredients comparison list.

The Best Japanese Ponzu Brands

Second to the bottom of this list is my all-time favorite (Umaji mura), and I tried to obtain the product to sell online because I was willing to devote my entire efforts to selling that one product, except my efforts were in vain, for now.

Not in Ranking Order

It is in alphabetical order, but I have to admit, it sort of does work out well as a ranking in ascending order. EDIT: I monitor what is clicked on, so I tweaked things to be slightly in a ranking order because most people don’t read, and they will immediately scroll to number 1.

Number 10 icon

Kikkoman Ponzu (Lemon)

Photo Description: Kikkoman ponzu bottle with a red cap and a yellow lemon on the front label.

I do these descriptions for the visually impaired, and if you are shopping for a ponzu, I have added visual bottle descriptors.

$4-$5 / 10 fl oz.

Probably the most common ponzu on US shelves due to Kikkoman world dominance.

I am not a fan of this ponzu and it sat in my fridge for a year because lemons are super sour compared to yuzu and not a comparable substitute (I would prefer a grapefruit over a lemon).
Amazon$11.55 / 15 fl oz
Amazon$16.99 / 64 fl oz
WebstaurantStore.com$9.99 / .5 gallon
Price and availability are subject to change.

Kikkoman Ponzu (Lime)

Photo Description: Kikkoman lime ponzu bottle with a green top and lime on the front label.

$15 / 10-64 fl oz.

A lime ponzu is a close American counterpart of the Japanese sudachi ponzu.

I think sudachi is closer to lime than a lemon is to yuzu.
Amazon$14.95 / 10 fl oz x2
Amazon$14.99 / 64 fl oz
Price and availability are subject to change.

Kikkoman Chili Ponzu

Photo Description: Kikkoman chili ponzu with a red cap, yellow citrus and a chili on the front label.

10 fl oz

Japanese can’t handle spicy, and us Americans have our neighbors to the South who know wassup when it comes to spice.

Even though this product is listed on the Kikkoman website, I do not think it is widely distributed.
Amazon10 fl oz
Walmart$37 / 10oz
Price and availability are subject to change.

Kikkoman Yuzuka Yuzu Ponzu

Photo Description: a minimalist yellow label for the Japanese market, the logo is small, with a dominant anime illustrations of a lemon.

$10-15 / 250 ml

It’s Kikkoman Japan, so they have different standards (higher Japanese standards for the domestic market).

It’s not like the US where Kikkoman is competing again Tapatio, Sriracha, and Tabasco, in Japan it is all Japanese condiments so they have to bring their A-game.
Amazon$14.50 / 250 ml x3
Japanese Taste $9.95 / 250 ml
Price and availability are subject to change.
Number 9 icon

Marukan Ponzu (Sudachi)

Photo Description: Marukan in a glass bottle, red top, and orangish brown label with a green sudachi/lime on the front label.

$10-$11 / 12 fl oz.

Marukan is one-upping Kikkoman at the ponzu game with more authentic Japanese flavors because of the use of sudachi and yuzu versus limes and lemons.

The juices are diluted with lime, but at least they have substantial amount of sudachi.
Amazon$10.77 / 12 fl. oz
Price and availability are subject to change.

Marukan Ponzu (Yuzu)

Photo Description: glass bottle of Marukan yuzu ponzu has a yellow cap and yellow label, along with a picture of a sliced yuzu citrus on the front label.

$5-$48 / 12 fl oz, x6

Marukan should be widely available on American shelves, like Kikkoman, so this is the Kikkoman citrus ponzu alternative. Along with being a vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO alternative.

Cocktails with yuzu exist because there is a substantial taste difference. Otherwise, they would use lemon.
Amazon$48 / 12 fl oz x6
Price and availability are subject to change.
Number 8 icon

Miyako

Photo Description: a big ole jug of ponzu that looks like a restaurant supply packaging with it's minimalist white label and green sudachi pictured on the front.

$32.50 / 64 fl oz.

Restaurant size (64 fl. oz), or maybe you really love ponzu because I have a gallon of Louisiana Hot Sauce.

Miyako Oriental ponzu is distributed by MTC (NYC/LA).
MTC Kitchen64 fl oz / $32.50
Price and availability are subject to change.
Number 7 icon

Mizkan: Ajipon

Photo Description: there are two types of labels, one for the US market in English, and also labeling for the Japanese market with the labeling with Japanese kana. They both are in glass bottles with a yellow cap, white label with yellow accents. The logo itself is in green.

$9-10 / 12 fl oz.

Mizkan Ajipon is the “standard” ponzu you will find throughout Japan, the United States, and probably globally.

An old school OG ponzu and my default ponzu because it’s affordable and a solid tasting ponzu.
Amazon$9.69 / 12 fl oz
Price and availability are subject to change.
6-six icon

Muso Organic Ponzu Sauce

Photo Description: The Muso bottle is a glass with a green cap, and a white label. On the front, the text "Yuzu" with a picture of a yellow yuzu virus label.

$14-$15 / 8.5 oz

A brand of Japanese products that seem to always come through with the epitome of whatever they are selling for the US market (organic, Kosher, to being critical of each ingredient).

This is not a slacker brand at all and Muso seems to deliver with all of their products.
Amazon$14.30 / 8.5 fl. oz
Price and availability are subject to change.
5-five icon

Otafuku Vegan Ponzu

Photo Description: one of the most distinctive bottles is the Otafuku vegan ponzu because of the squarish container with a light sea foam green label.

$6-$9 / 6.5 fl oz / 195 ml

Otafuku has a large product catalog of vegan sauces, and they are one of the few brands that also offers a vegan ponzu option.

Otafuku is one of the top brands for the Japanese dish tonkatsu (pork cutlet, a dish that resembles a German schnitzel).
Amazon$8.45 / 6.5 fl. oz / 195 ml
Otafuku (Direct)$6.49 / 6.5 fl. oz / 195 ml
Price and availability are subject to change.

Otafuku Ponzu

Photo Description: Otafuku ponzu sauce always in restaurant size in a half gallon. The label has the prominent logo and yellow lemons on the label.

$19-$25 / .5 gallon

Ponzu sauce by Otafuku is what many restaurants throughout the country use (a pescatarian version), so if you had it in a restaurant, you most likely had Otafuku ponzu.

I have also seen Mizkan ajipon used in restaurants.
Amazon$24.99 / 63.9 fl oz / 1/2 gallon
Otafuku (Direct)$19.49 / 63.9 fl oz / 1/2 gallon
Price and availability are subject to change.
4-four icon

Suehiro Ponzu

Photo Description: a glass bottle with a light green cap and a white label with light green accents and Japanese kana.

$8-$19 / 5.1 oz / 150 ml

A standout because this ponzu is made with a dark soy sauce and a blend of four types of natural Japanese citrus: Yuzu for aroma, Sudachi for acidity, Daidai for sweetness & Yukou for mildness. 

Oddly, more widely available online than Kikkoman.
Amazon$18.90 / 5.1 oz / 150 ml
Japanese Pantry$8-12.50 / 5.1 oz / 150 ml
Toiro$14.00 / 5.1 oz / 150 ml
Walmart$18.99 / 5.1 oz / 150 ml
Price and availability are subject to change.
3-three icon

Teraoka Yuki Jyozo Co., Ltd.

Photo Description: a glass bottle with a tannish paper cover, with a brown rope around the top gives it a rustic look.

$18 / 250 ml

If it were not for sites like Japanese Taste, good luck finding this product available anywhere else.

Teraoka is one of their featured product partners.
Japanese Taste$17.95 / 250 ml
Price and availability are subject to change.
two-2 icon

Yamasan

Photo Description: the second bottle with a paper cover, like Worcestershire sauce, but this one has a white label with yellow yuzu looking citrus.

$18.90 / 10.14 fl oz

Yamasan is primarily known for its organic green tea products since they are in Uji, Kyoto, Japan. The region is known for its green tea production.

The Yamasan ponzu is a four citrus blend.
Amazon$18.90 / 10.14 fl. oz / 300 ml
Price and availability are subject to change.
1-one icon

Umaji-mura Yuzu Ponzu

Photo Description: my all time favorite yuzu ponzu which comes in a glass bottle with a green top. The front label has an illustration of a yuzu citrus on it.

$6-$14

The first time I peeled backed that seal of the bottle, I became a bottle sniffer of every bottle I opened of Umaji-mura’s amazing yuzu ponzu, my all time favorite ponzu.

For at least a decade, I have sought this yuzu ponzu out from a tiny village in the Kochi prefecture, and I am sure I have posted about it on my personal and Oishii_desu Instagram feed, and I am their number one fan.
Nijiya Market$14.99 / 500 ml
Tokyo CentralBrick and mortar location (not sold online)
Direct (Japanese language only)$6 (490円) / $125 (12,600円 x20 pack)
I never purchased anything off of Nijiyashop.com before, but this product is hard to find online.

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