# mirin

/ˈmiɹɪn/ (US) · /mˈɪɹɪn/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mirin
Updated: 2026-09-28

## Definition

a sweet rice wine from Japan that people use for cooking. It adds a nice shine and a gentle sweetness to sauces like teriyaki.

For teachers: a type of sweet rice wine used as a staple condiment in Japanese cuisine. It possesses a lower alcohol content than sake and a high sugar content, which provides a glazed finish to cooked dishes.

## Examples

- You should add a splash of mirin to the sauce.
- The chef whisked together soy sauce, ginger, and mirin to create a balanced marinade for the salmon.
- Authentic mirin, known as hon-mirin, is produced through a months-long fermentation process that naturally converts rice starches into complex sugars, resulting in a deep umami profile.

## Usage notes

- Often used in a 1:1 ratio with soy sauce in traditional glazes.

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