Intensely aromatic Japanese citrus juice. Complex flavor combining lemon, grapefruit, and mandarin. Used in ponzu and dressings.
Substitutes
Ponzu Sauce — 2 tbsp yuzu juice + 2 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tsp rice vinegar per ¼ cup ponzu. Yuzu juice is the core citrus component of authentic ponzu. Combined with soy sauce and a touch of rice vinegar, it reproduces ponzu's bright, tart citrus-umami balance closely.
Lemon Juice — 2 tbsp lemon juice + 1 tsp lime juice per 3 tbsp yuzu juice. A mix of lemon and lime juice approximates yuzu's complex citrus profile.
Lime Juice — 1:1 (add a splash of grapefruit juice if available). Lime juice provides tartness with a floral edge. Closer to yuzu than pure lemon.
Grapefruit — 3/4 grapefruit juice + 1/4 lemon juice. Grapefruit juice blended with lemon captures yuzu's tart-floral-bitter complexity; use 3 parts grapefruit to 1 part lemon for the closest citrus match.