‘Mirin’, 味醂 OR みりん in Japanese, is a type of Rice Wine that is very sweet. It is an important ingredient in Japanese cooking. ‘Mirin’ is used to add sweetness to a dish, but it also adds Umami and richness in flavour, which Sugar cannot add. However, if you can’t find Mirin, OR if you don’t want to use Mirin because it contains alcohol, you can substitute it with Sugar.
Substitute for 1 tablespoon (15ml) Mirin
1 tablespoon (15ml) Sake (Rice Wine) OR Water
1/3 tablespoon (5ml) Sugar *5ml is 1 teaspoon
Method
- If a recipe requires 1 tablespoon (15ml) of Mirin, use 1/3 tablespoon (5ml) Sugar and you can achieve similar sweetness. However, Sugar cannot add Umami and richness in flavour. Add 1 tablespoon (15ml) Sake (Rice Wine) if you have it. Otherwise Water might need to be added.
- *Note: Depending on the dish, Brown Sugar, Honey, Maple Syrup, OR other sweetening ingredients can be used as a substitute.
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