Rice vinegar (brown rice vinegar)

米酢 komezu / 쌀식초

Flavor and role

A soft, mild vinegar fermented from rice. With a low acidity of 4-5%, it blends naturally into sushi rice, dressed salads and dressings.

Typical dishes and uses

Sushi rice, sweet vinegar seasoning, cucumber salad, adobo (as a substitute), naengmyeon (cold noodle) broth

Substitutes

1 tbsp rice vinegar = 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, or 2 tsp distilled white vinegar + 1 tsp water + a pinch of sugar.

Storage

Before and after opening: 2 years or more in a cool place at room temperature. The aroma is best within 1 year of opening.

Main countries

Japan · Korea · China

Used in this book

Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork Bánh Mì)Bindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancakes)Bún Chả (Hanoi Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles)Chicken NanbanCơm Tấm Sườn Nướng (Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Chop)Gyoza (Pan-Fried Japanese Dumplings)Haemul Pajeon (Korean Seafood Scallion Pancake)Kimchi Jeon (Korean Kimchi Pancake)Shabu-ShabuTangcu Liji (Home-Style Sweet and Sour Pork)Miso-sesame baba ganoushCrackling Roast Pork Bánh Mì (Bánh Mì Heo Quay)Bulgogi Kimchi Bánh MìBánh Mì Rice BowlCrispy Beef and Broccoli Rice-Paper DumplingsBeef Noodle TsukemenRed-Braised Beef Rice BowlGochujang Chimaek Beer-Can ChickenDolsot Bibimbap with Crispy Rice and Beef GochujangCrispy Bibimbap Rice BitesMarket-Style Thick Bindaetteok in Pork FatGarlic-Soy Bossam Rice BowlGochujang Buffalo WingsCast-Iron Sirloin Bulgogi with Scallion SaladCharcoal Bún Chả with Homemade Caramel and Crispy ShallotsBún Chả Burger with Pickled Carrot and Sriracha MayoGochujang Chicken Curry Bunny Chow with Kimchi Slaw (Korean x South African)Kimchi Bulgogi Campfire NachosMiyazaki-Style Fluffy Chicken Nanban with Mustard TartareChicken Nanban Tacos with Jalapeño-Lime TartareChicken Nanban SandoRestaurant-style chili crab with fried mantouPerilla Chimichurri Soy Steak Lettuce WrapsCharcoal Cơm Tấm Sườn Chả with Steamed Egg MeatloafCơm Tấm Tacos with Lemongrass Pork and Scallion OilCơm Tấm Rice BurgerFalafel Banh Mi with Quick Pickles and Sriracha Tahini MayoRich Perilla Gamjatang with Seasoned Napa GreensWasabi-Miso Guacamole with Sesame Gyoza ChipsJuicy Crisp-Lattice Gyoza (Hanetsuki)Unwrapped Gyoza Rice BowlDongnae-Style Seafood Pajeon with Rice-Flour BatterSanratanmen (Japanese Hot and Sour Ramen)Idli ManchurianCrispy Japchae Rice Paper DumplingsCrispy-Skirt Kimchi Pork PotstickersYangnyeom Kelewele: Gochujang-Honey Glazed Plantain (Ghanaian x Korean)Crispy Aged-Kimchi Jeon with Pork BellyBrined Soy-Garlic Fried ChickenGochujang Buffalo WingsKimchi gochujang bulgogi lahmacunLarb Gai Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Sriracha CreamLu Rou Tacos with Quick Cucumber PicklesSchezwan Cheese DosaPyongyang-Style Mul-naengmyeon with Brisket and ShankGazpacho Tomato NaengmyeonSambal Anchovy Coconut OnigiriNyama Choma Gua Bao with Kachumbari Slaw and Pili-Pili Mayo (Kenyan x Taiwanese)Okonomi Loaded FriesShop-Style Onigiri with Salmon Flakes and Kombu TsukudaniCrispy Rice Spicy Tuna Onigiri BitesGochujang bravasPicanha Ssam with Kimchi Vinagrete and Honey SsamjangAhi Poke Duo with Sushi Rice and Macadamia InamonaGochujang Salmon Poke BowlSpicy Tuna Crispy Rice BitesGochujang Pulled Pork Tacos with Kimchi SlawJeju-Style Thick-Cut Pork Belly with Anchovy DipChicken Satay Tacos with Acar PicklesDashi Shabu-Shabu with Homemade Ponzu and Egg ZosuiBulgogi Smash Burger with Butter Kimchi and Gochujang MayoTeriyaki Salmon Smørrebrød with Wasabi MayoCantonese Gu Lou Yuk with PineappleSweet and Sour Pork Tacos with Pineapple SalsaSweet and Sour Pork Katsu SandoBulgogi Tacos with Kimchi SlawGochujang-Honey Popcorn Chicken (Korean Yangnyeom Style)Thit Kho To (Clay-Pot Caramel Pork Belly with Pickled Bean Sprouts)Caramel Pork and Egg Mayo ToastTomato Jam Scrambled Egg Brunch ToastTwice-Cooked Pork Tacos with Pickled OnionCrispy Tofu-Pouch Udon Salad Bowl

Updated 2026-10-10