Mirin (sweet rice wine)

味醂 mirin

Flavor and role

A sweet Japanese cooking wine brewed from glutinous rice, koji and shochu. It adds sweetness and gloss and masks fishy smells.

Typical dishes and uses

Oyakodon, teriyaki, sukiyaki, nimono (simmered dishes), tsuyu

Substitutes

1 tbsp mirin = 1 tbsp Korean cooking wine (mat-sul), or 1 tbsp sake + 1 tsp sugar. Alcohol-free: 1 tbsp water + 1/2 tbsp sugar.

Storage

True mirin (hon-mirin): 3 months in a cool place at room temperature after opening (sugar crystals form in the fridge). Mirin-style seasoning: 3 months in the fridge after opening.

Main countries

Japan

Used in this book

Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)Gyudon (Japanese Beef Bowl)Katsudon (Pork Cutlet and Egg Rice Bowl)Nikujaga (Japanese Beef and Potato Stew)Homemade Shoyu RamenSukiyakiTempura (Shrimp and Vegetable)Teriyaki ChickenKitsune UdonYakitori (Chicken and Leek Skewers with Tare)Bacalhau Brás Tamagotoji Don (Japanese Egg-Drop Rice Bowl)Beef Noodle TsukemenBirria Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggMiso Bolognese UdonMiyazaki-Style Fluffy Chicken Nanban with Mustard TartareDoro Wat Ramen with Berbere Chicken and AjitamaMiso-Butter Salmon Foil-YakiMiso French Onion UdonSukiyaki-Style Gyudon with Onsen EggKimchi Cheese GyudonGyudon Rice BurgerSanratanmen (Japanese Hot and Sour Ramen)Thick-Cut Katsudon with Fresh DashiChicken Katsu Parmigiana DonKatsudon SandoKhao Soi Curry UdonTeriyaki Salmon Avocado KimbapJapanese Miso Mapo UdonMohinga Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggRyotei-Style Nikujaga with First DashiGochujang Pork Nikujaga with Glass NoodlesLazy Nikujaga Croquette Bowl with Crunchy PankoShop-Style Onigiri with Salmon Flakes and Kombu TsukudaniHawaiian Luncheon Meat MusubiSeared Chicken Thigh Oyakodon with Homemade DashiCheesy Dakgalbi OyakodonOyakodon Egg SandoButtermilk Dorayaki with Sweet Red Bean and ButterTokyo-Style Clear Chicken Shoyu RamenTom Yum Shoyu Ramen with PrawnsCrispy Shoyu Ramen Noodle PancakeEggplant Katsu Sabich SandoTeriyaki Sausage Sizzle with Japanese Mayo and NoriDashi Shabu-Shabu with Homemade Ponzu and Egg ZosuiTeriyaki Salmon Smørrebrød with Wasabi MayoSoto Ayam RamenSri Lankan Coconut Chicken Curry UdonSukiyaki CarbonaraSukiyaki Egg & Cheese ToastSuya Beef Yaki UdonKyoto-Style Dashimaki TamagoEdomae-Style Tempura with Matcha SaltCrispy-Skin Teriyaki Chicken with Charred NegiTeriyaki Chicken BurgerTeriyaki Chicken & Egg Mayo Rice BowlRof Salmon Tomato Takikomi Gohan (Senegalese x Japanese)Handmade Sanuki-Style Kitsune UdonCharcoal Yakitori Duo: Salt Negima and TsukuneYakitori Tacos with Lime Slaw and Shichimi MayoYakitori Rice Burger

Updated 2026-10-10