Get To Know The True Mirin: How Do You Use It?

The Difference Between Mirin and Cultured Rice Vinegar

Mirin and cultured rice vinegar are often mistaken for each other due to their similar appearance and base ingredients. However, they are distinct in nature. The difference between mirin and other mirin like condiment is that a mirin is made primarily for cooking, and rice vinegar is a type of vinegar birthed from fermented rice. The primary distinction lies in their acidity levels. Mirin exudes sweetness with a hint of alcohol, whereas rice vinegar combines sweetness with a tart edge. It's crucial to understand the difference between true mirin, and rice vinegar to ensure the authenticity of your dishes.

Exploring Mirin Substitutes and Mirin Sauce

While mirin is a unique ingredient, there are times when you need to replace mirin with a substitute. Some common mirin substitutes include aji mirin, hon mirin, sweet marsala wine, white wine only, and a combination of sugar and water or corn syrup. However, for those keen on authenticity, a true mirin is irreplaceable. For a deeper dive into the world of mirin, explore the range of products available at Bokksu Market.

The Multifaceted Uses of Mirin in Japanese Cooking

Mirin's sweet flavor beautifully contrasts with saltier sauces, especially those with soy sauce bases, such as teriyaki sauce. Its high sugar content acts as a tenderizer and imparts a glossy sheen to sauces, making it an excellent addition to marinades. From steaming foods like steamed glutinous rice with a splash of mirin to grilling fish topped with mirin-boshi, a sauce made of soy sauce, mirin, and a touch of sugar, the possibilities are endless. Whether you're whipping up sukiyaki, a simmered stew, or stir-frying udon, mirin is your go-to ingredient to elevate the dish.

Beyond marinades, mirin has many other great uses. We've listed a few of them here:

Steam foods with mirin

Use dashi or your stock of choice (veggie, chicken, fish, etc) and add a splash of mirin to make the steaming liquid. Or get a little fancier by jazzing it up with a squeeze of lime, a few slices of fresh chopped ginger, and a bit of soy sauce. You can use this delicious base to steam fish, veggies, and meats.

Make grilled fish with mirin-boshi

A traditional Japanese fish dish is mackerel which is grilled and topped with mirin-boshi, a sauce made of soy sauce, mirin, and a little sugar. This simple marinade will work well with any fish, not just mackerel. Just make sure to marinade whatever fish you choose for at least 20 min before cooking. If you don't have a grill at home, you can even use a broiler to cook the fish.

Finish steaks with sake-mirin butter

Toast garlic in oil until evenly browned and fragrant. Add 1 part mirin to 2 parts sake (in tablespoons). Then add 2 tablespoons of butter for every tablespoon of sake. Cook your steaks to your preference and spoon your sake-mirin butter sauce over the steaks to finish.

Make sukiyaki, a simmered stew

Sukiyaki is a perfect wintertime dish that warms the soul and spirit. Nothing brings people together like crowding around a simmering pot of stew. You'll also love it because it's a one-pot meal, which means easier prep and clean up. Just grab some thinly sliced cuts of meat, noodles, cut veggies, and mushrooms, and let them cook in a shallow pot of dashi and sukiyaki sauce (mirin, sake, sugar, and soy sauce).

Stir fry up some udon

Stir fry the meat of your choice (chicken, ground pork, beef, etc). Then add in thinly sliced vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and onions. Next, toss in some frozen udon noodles with a noodle sauce of soy sauce, oyster sauce, mirin, brown sugar, and rice wine vinegar. Voila! You've got an easy and delicious meal.

You might be wondering about your local grocery store where you can find quality mirin. Bokksu Market lets you order groceries online from the comfort of your home. You'll find all the essential Japanese cooking ingredients you need from snacks to sauces and spices and even some cookware. If you're looking for a great versatile mirin to add to your pantry try Manjo Aji-Mirin Cooking Wine. It has a lower alcohol content than your average mirin while retaining the sweet and umami-rich flavors. Try using it in some of the dishes we detailed above.

Once you start using mirin, it will quickly become a cooking staple in your household to round off a dish and give it a boost of complexity. So what are you waiting for? Grab a bottle and start the cooking process on some delicious food.

Bokksu Market: Your Gateway to Authentic Japanese Ingredients

Wondering where to source quality mirin?

Bokksu Market is your one-stop destination for all essential Japanese cooking ingredients, from snacks to sauces, spices, and even some cookware. For those eager to experiment with other types of mirin used, make sure to also check out our Organic cooking Sake pairing. With a lower alcohol content yet retaining the sweet and umami-rich flavors, it's perfect for the dishes detailed above.

Dive into the world of Japanese cuisine and let Mirin transform your culinary creations.