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Ponzu (ポン酢) is a citrus-based sauce commonly used in Japanese cuisine. It is tart, with a thin, watery consistency. Ponzu shōyu or ponzu jōyu (ポン酢醤油) is ponzu with soy sauce (shōyu) added, and the mixed dark brown product is widely referred to as simply ponzu.
The term originally came into the Japanese language as ponsu as a borrowing of the now obsolete Dutch word pons, meaning punch as in a beverage made from fruit juices. The sour nature of this sauce led to the final -su being written with the character su (酢), meaning "vinegar".[1][2][3]
Ponzu is made by simmering mirin, rice vinegar, katsuobushi flakes (from tuna), and seaweed (kombu) over medium heat. The liquid is then cooled, strained to remove the katsuobushi flakes, and finally the juice of one or more of the following citrus fruits is added: yuzu, sudachi, daidai, kabosu, or lemon.
Commercial ponzu is generally sold in glass bottles, which may have some sediment. Ponzu shōyu is traditionally used as a dressing for tataki (lightly grilled, then chopped meat or fish) and also as a dip for nabemono (one-pot dishes) such as shabu-shabu. It is used as a dip for sashimi. In the Kansai region, it is offered as a topping for takoyaki.
- ^ 国語大辞典（新装版） [Kokugo Dai Jiten] (in Japanese) (Revised ed.). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 1988.
- ^ 大辞林 [Daijirin] (in Japanese) (3rd ed.). Tokyo: Sanseidō. 2006. ISBN 4-385-13905-9.
- ^ 大辞泉 [Daijisen] (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 1995. ISBN 4-09-501211-0.