What can substitute for mirin Mirin is a sweet rice wine used in Japanese cooking but there are some liquids that can stand in for it. By Kathleen Purvis. Q. I found a recipe that calls for 3 tablespoons of mirin, but I dont have any. What is a good substitute A. Although it sometimes gets confused with rice wine vinegar, mirin actually is a sweet rice wine used in Japanese cooking. The Urban Dictionary Mug. One side has the word, one side has the definition. Microwave and dishwasher safe. Lotsa space for your liquids. Buy the mug. Get more information on the Japanese condiment called mirin, including its clear, highalcohol characteristics, its history, and how to substitute it. If you look at many Japanese recipes, as well as other Asianinspired dishes, especially teriyaki and stirfries, youll find a common ingredient among them mirin. Mirin or is an essential condiment used in Japanese cuisine. It is a type of rice wine similar to sake, but with a lower alcohol content and higher. Find out how to substitute for mirin, a Japanese sweet rice wine, when cooking. It doesnt just flavor food. The sweetness also gives luster to sauces and glazes and can help them cling to food. If you dont have mirin, there are many common suggestions for substitutions. You can just use dry sherry or sweet marsala, for instance. Or you can dissolve a small amount of sugar in a little white wine or sherry, perhaps a 14 teaspoon of sugar to 14 cup wine wine. The Charlotte Observer Charlotte, N.