Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 9 votes

Tomato Salad with Sesame Ponzu

For a refreshing side dish on a busy weeknight, try my Japanese Tomato Salad with Sesame Ponzu recipe. Tangy, sweet, and nutty, it takes just minutes to make the citrusy soy dressing and toss it with juicy tomatoes. Variations included!

Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 2
Calories: 31 kcal
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
  • 2 Tbsp ponzu
  • 1 tomato

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Gather all the ingredients. Tip: If you have time, toast your sesame seeds in an ungreased frying pan, shaking frequently, until one or two seeds start to pop and they are lightly toasted. The sesame seeds taste amazing even just slightly toasted!
To Make the Dressing
  1. Using a mortar and pestle, grind 1 Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds. I like to leave some seeds unground for texture.
  2. Add 2 Tbsp ponzu to the mortar with the sesame seeds and mix together with chopsticks.
To Prepare the Tomato
  1. Cut 1 tomato into 6–8 wedges.
  2. Then, cut the wedges crosswise in half.
To Toss the Salad
  1. Add the tomato chunks to the bowl with the sesame ponzu. Toss gently with chopsticks until well coated.
To Serve
  1. Garnish with greens (I used homegrown mitsuba).
To Store
  1. This salad is best when assembled just before serving, so I don't recommend keeping it as leftovers or tossing it ahead of time. You can make the dressing in advance and store it in the fridge.

Notes

  • There are so many ways that you can enhance this basic salad with additional flavors, veggies, and proteins. Here are a few of my favorite suggestions.
  • Sprinkle with julienned shiso (perilla leaves). This fragrant Japanese herb and tomato are a classic summer combination.
  • Sprinkle with julienned shiso (perilla leaves). This fragrant Japanese herb and tomato are a classic summer combination.
  • Add minced shallot or white onion. Mix a teaspoon or two into the dressing for an aromatic kick.
  • Add minced shallot or white onion. Mix a teaspoon or two into the dressing for an aromatic kick.
  • Try young ginger or myoga. I highly recommend adding sliced myoga (Japanese ginger flower buds), if you can find it in the summertime. It has a heavenly fragrance and mild gingery taste. Julienned young ginger also works well. If you don't have it, you could try julienned regular ginger soaked in water to tame its spiciness.
  • Try young ginger or myoga. I highly recommend adding sliced myoga (Japanese ginger flower buds), if you can find it in the summertime. It has a heavenly fragrance and mild gingery taste. Julienned young ginger also works well. If you don't have it, you could try julienned regular ginger soaked in water to tame its spiciness.
  • Toss in greens or sea vegetables. Wakame seaweed pairs well with these flavors. I love the spicy taste of mizuna (Japanese mustard greens) with this dressing, or use your favorite salad greens.
  • Toss in greens or sea vegetables. Wakame seaweed pairs well with these flavors. I love the spicy taste of mizuna (Japanese mustard greens) with this dressing, or use your favorite salad greens.
  • Add protein. Make it more substantial with shredded steamed chicken, silken tofu, deep-fried tofu, boiled shrimp, thinly sliced pork (shabu shabu), or boiled egg.
  • Add protein. Make it more substantial with shredded steamed chicken, silken tofu, deep-fried tofu, boiled shrimp, thinly sliced pork (shabu shabu), or boiled egg.
  • Substitute yuzu-flavored ponzu. Yuzu is a tart and incredibly fragrant citrus fruit used for centuries in Japanese and Korean cuisine. It makes a delicious ponzu that we call yuzu pon (柚子ポン) in Japan. You can find it sold in Japanese markets or make my homemade Yuzu Ponzu with fresh yuzu fruit.
  • Substitute yuzu-flavored ponzu. Yuzu is a tart and incredibly fragrant citrus fruit used for centuries in Japanese and Korean cuisine. It makes a delicious ponzu that we call yuzu pon (柚子ポン) in Japan. You can find it sold in Japanese markets or make my homemade Yuzu Ponzu with fresh yuzu fruit.
  • Add mayonnaise or sesame oil to ponzu. Enhance your ponzu sauce by adding a touch of Japanese mayonnaise or sesame oil. Just a small amount of these Japanese condiments can elevate the flavor, giving it a creamy or nutty twist!
  • Add mayonnaise or sesame oil to ponzu. Enhance your ponzu sauce by adding a touch of Japanese mayonnaise or sesame oil. Just a small amount of these Japanese condiments can elevate the flavor, giving it a creamy or nutty twist!
  • Make it gluten-free. Look for gluten-free ponzu or make it from scratch using gluten-free soy sauce.
  • Make it gluten-free. Look for gluten-free ponzu or make it from scratch using gluten-free soy sauce.

Nutrition Information

Calories 31kcal (2%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 2g (3%) Saturated Fat 0.2g (1%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Sodium 241mg (10%) Potassium 159mg (5%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 513IU (10%) Vitamin C 8mg (9%) Calcium 33mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 31

% Daily Value*

Calories 31kcal 2%
Carbohydrates 4g 1%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0.2g 1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 241mg 10%
Potassium 159mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 513IU 10%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 33mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.