Substitute Japanese Hon-Mirin (Sweet Rice Wine)

May 28, 2023May 28, 20230 1

Substitute Japanese Hon-Mirin (Sweet Rice Wine) - An Easy Recipe

by The Chefin Condiment

Prep

5 min

Cook

10 min

Ready In

15 min

Level

Very easy

Rating

Ingredients

	3/4 cup good quality drinking sake
	1/4 cup white sugar or 1/4 cup white corn syrup
	2 tablespoons water

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

Sugar

Fat

Hon-mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine that is added to many traditional Japanese dishes like teriyaki chicken, tonkatsu sauce, and vegetable stir-fry. It's made by fermenting sweet glutinous rice distilled alcohol, and koji. Hon-mirin has a unique umami flavor and is commonly used to give a characteristic shine to the dish. This recipe substitutes traditional hon-mirin with easily accessible ingredients. Make and store this delicious substitute in bulk and use it to add flavor and shine to your favorite dishes.

Instructions

1.	In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sake, white sugar or corn syrup, and water.
2.	Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, until the sugar or corn syrup completely dissolves.
3.	Lower the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a syrupy consistency.
4.	Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
5.	Store the substitute Japanese hon-mirin in a clean, airtight glass jar or bottle.

PROS

This recipe offers a quick and easy alternative to traditional Japanese hon-mirin, which can be hard to find in some places.

Shelf-stable and long-lasting, this substitute can be made in bulk and used as needed.

It is also a vegan option without compromising the taste of the recipe.

CONS

While this substitute recipe may work for some recipes that call for hon-mirin, true hon-mirin has a unique flavor and is made from sweet glutinous rice, koji, and distilled alcohol.

It’s not suitable for making Japanese sweets like wagashi.

It also does not have the same depth of flavor as true hon-mirin.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

This homemade substitute recipe doesn’t have any direct health benefits. But replacing regular sugar with a white corn syrup may help in regulating blood sugar levels by stabilizing insulin production.