Ponzu
Recently, our Japanese reporter Aya Ayabe went out to an izakaya [Japanese pub] and finished her revelries with an order of sudachi rice, sudachi being a type of sour Japanese citrus fruit. The slightly bitter flavor really hit the spot in the midst of the nighttime summer heat, and it got her thinking: “What would happen if I cooked rice with some ponzu sauce [a citrus-based sauce which mixes sudachi with other citrus fruits and soy sauce]?” Still curious, the next day she tried making a batch for herself, and the results were apparently quite epic: “This is the most exciting thing that’s happened to me all summer! I’ll never forget this day as long as I live.”
In any case, Ayabe would like to share her extremely simple recipe for creating ponzu rice with you–a delightfully refreshing treat for the dog days of summer which can be enjoyed either hot or cold.
Though it might be hard for non-pet-owners to understand, it’s undeniable that our cats and dogs are part of our families. We love them like children–or siblings who can almost get away with peeing on the carpet.
And with good reason, too! They comfort us when we’re sad and play with us when we’re happy. And if you’re lucky enough to have two pets, watching them play together can be better than anything Disney has to offer. Just take this video of a dog entertaining a hyper-active kitten for example!
MOST POPULAR
Now
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
We eat at three Japanese family restaurants to find the one with the best-value breakfast
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Genuine Muramasa blade and Muromachi katana on display at Tokyo’s Touken Ranbu store【Photos】
Salmon sashimi noodles: Terrifying, mouthwatering, or both?【Photos】
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo- 7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026- Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Monthly
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer- Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Genuine Muramasa blade and Muromachi katana on display at Tokyo’s Touken Ranbu store【Photos】
Salmon sashimi noodles: Terrifying, mouthwatering, or both?【Photos】
Japanese group to hold fashion show of colostomy bags and other stoma equipment in Paris
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Hayao Miyazaki eulogizes Isao Takahata, remembers purposely subjecting him to second-hand smoke
Japanese manhole covers become a hit with foreign tourists in off-the-beaten path Tokyo area
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Japanese plastic food samples abound at this impressive exhibition in Tokyo
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
We get our hands on some “Booby Ice Cream” from Kochi Prefecture
-
