Benihana Ponzu Sauce — Price, Calories, Ingredients & Recipe (2026)
Benihana Ponzu Sauce — price, calories, ingredients and an easy homemade ponzu recipe.
What Is Ponzu Sauce?
Ponzu is the light, citrusy soy-based dipping sauce that shines with Benihana’s seafood and sushi offerings. Made from soy sauce brightened with yuzu or lemon-lime citrus and a touch of dashi or vinegar, it is thin, tangy and umami-rich at barely 15 calories a serving.
While the ginger-mustard-yumyum trio rules the hibachi table, ponzu is the sauce to request with sashimi, hibachi shrimp and scallops. Extra portions run about $2.50, and the homemade version below takes five minutes.
Ponzu Sauce Ingredients
- Soy sauce
- Yuzu juice (or lemon + lime)
- Rice vinegar
- Mirin
- Dashi or water
- Bonito flakes (optional)
Ponzu Sauce Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount (per serving) |
|---|---|
| Calories (2 tbsp) | 15 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 420mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 3g |
| Sugars | 2g |
| Protein | 1g |
Nutrition values are estimates based on standard restaurant preparation and may vary by location. Ask your local Benihana for their current official nutrition guide.
Copycat Ponzu Sauce Recipe (Make It at Home)
Love Ponzu Sauce but can’t get to Benihana? This copycat recipe captures the signature flavor at home.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh yuzu juice (or 2 tbsp lemon + 2 tbsp lime juice)
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup dashi or water
- 1 tbsp bonito flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake or stir well.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours (overnight is better) for flavors to marry.
- Strain out bonito flakes if used.
- Serve chilled with sashimi, grilled shrimp or as a salad dressing base.
- Keeps 3-4 weeks refrigerated.
You May Also Like
Yum Yum Sauce
The legendary creamy pink dipping sauce — Benihana’s famous ‘shrimp sauce’ guests beg to take home.
Ginger Sauce
Zesty fresh-ginger dipping sauce — the bright, punchy partner to hibachi meats.
Mustard Sauce
Creamy, tangy hot-mustard dipping sauce with a gentle kick for hibachi meats.
Ponzu Sauce FAQs
Final Thoughts
Light, bright and endlessly useful, ponzu deserves a spot next to the famous trio. Whisk up a jar and use it on everything from sashimi to weeknight salads.