Mirin (Hon-Mirin)
What is it?
Hon-mirin is a sweet rice wine with about 14% alcohol. It adds gentle sweetness, shine, and depth to Japanese dishes. Bottles labeled mirin-like seasoning have almost no alcohol.
Substitution Guide
Sake + Sugar (1 tbsp sake + 1 tsp sugar per 1 tbsp mirin)
Sake brings the same rice alcohol and aroma. Sugar adds the sweetness. The glaze and shine stay close to real mirin.
Dry Sherry or Dry White Wine + Sugar (1 tbsp + 1 tsp)
It is easy to find outside Japan. The grape aroma is a little different. In teriyaki or simmered dishes, few people notice.
Rice Vinegar (with or without sugar)
Vinegar is sour, not sweet. Heat does not remove the sour taste. The two bottles look alike, so people mix them up.
Related Ingredients
Did you know?
🔬Used as a drinking beverage in the Edo period (1603-1868). The sweetness comes from rice starch being broken down by koji enzymes into multiple sugar types during 40-60 day saccharification.
Sensory Profile
Complex sweetness with alcohol warmth. Golden amber color with slight viscosity.
