# ponzu

/ˈpɑnzu/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ponzu
Updated: 2026-09-28

## Definition

a thin, dark sauce used in Japanese cooking that tastes both salty and sour. It is made from citrus juice and soy sauce, and you often use it for dipping meat or fish.

For teachers: a citrus-based sauce commonly used in Japanese cuisine as a condiment or marinade. Typically composed of soy sauce, mirin, and the juice of citrus fruits such as yuzu or sudachi.

## Examples

- I like to dip my sushi in a little bit of ponzu.
- The chef served the grilled yellowtail with a side of ponzu to balance the richness of the fish.
- While traditional recipes involve simmering mirin and rice vinegar with katsuobushi and seaweed, modern variations of ponzu often focus on the bright acidity of fresh citrus paired with high-quality soy sauce.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.