Substitute Japanese Hon-Mirin (Sweet Rice Wine)

Weber's Note:

A quick way to blend a reasonable substitute for Mirin in Japanese sauces and dishes.

• Total Time: 10 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 cup of ...

• ¾ cup good quality drinking sake
• ¼ cup white sugar or ¼ cup white corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions:

1. Mix sugar and water and bring to a slight boil for a few minutes.
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
3. Add Sake to the mixture a small bit at a time until the desired sweetness is achieved.
4. True Hon-Mirin is very expensive and difficult to obtain outside of Japan.
5. While this shortcut does not have the full flavor and complexity of a true Hon-Mirin, it is an adequate substitute when used as a sweetener in certian Japanese sauces such as teriyaki.

Reviews

[Chef #611248]

This recipe worked great in my Nikujaga! I wasn't able to find Mirin but had Sake. I found the corn syrup to be a better option because you didn't have to wait for it to dissolve like the sugar.

[Cypress]

thanks so much for posting this, as i can never find mirin. not even in specialty Asian stores for some reason! it's the strangest thing. i will be using this in the many Japanese and Asian recipes i have.