Asahi Ponzu (旭ポンズ)

The story behind it

Next to a hot pot in Osaka there is very often a bottle with a yellow label. Asahi Ponzu, from Yao, commands enormous loyalty across the Kansai region.

Asahi Shokuhin began in 1948 as a small dried-noodle workshop. Asahi Ponzu, launched in 1967, combines sudachi, yuzu, and yuko juice from Tokushima with dashi from Rishiri kombu, katsuobushi, and dried shiitake. It is fully seasoned by design: nothing needs to be added to it.

Sharp citrus acidity, and dashi with real weight. Well-known tecchiri (fugu hot pot) restaurants have used it for years, and people say that once you switch, you do not go back.