Rice Vinegar Vs. Mirin - What's the Difference?

We all know vinegar and its many uses. It is used for many things from cleaning to cooking to pickling and other tasks in between. But do you know the different forms of vinegar?

You can choose from options like white vinegar, balsamic vinegar, cleaning vinegar, rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and more. Two options that are often compared are rice vinegar and mirin.

What is the difference between rice vinegar and mirin?

One of the biggest differences between rice vinegar and mirin is that mirin tastes much sweeter, while rice vinegar is acidic and slightly bitter. Both are made from fermented rice, water, and salt, but while mirin is sweeter, rice vinegar has added sugar and mirin does not.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through rice vinegar vs. mirin and discuss all of their qualities and differences.

We hope that by the end of this guide you will be able to reasonably differentiate between the two and have decided which one to try next.

The difference between rice vinegar and mirin

Both mirin and rice vinegar are often used in cooking to enhance the flavor of the dish.

They are used in a similar way and are considered to be almost the same, but they are also quite different. Each have unique uses in the kitchen that set them apart from each other.

As we go through this guide, we’ll talk about each of these products separately.

We will start with the rice vinegar and continue with the mirin. Once we’ve given you an overview of each of them, we’ll end the guide with a quick summary so you have an easy reference to the differences.

We have a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get started!

Rice vinegar

Rice vinegar is a popular type of vinegar. It is made with fermented rice, usually from parts of East and Southeast Asia, mainly China, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam.

Rice vinegar is used primarily in Asian cooking, but it can be used for other foods as well.

Rice vinegar is often mixed with other foods. It is used in dressings, marinades and sauces.

Rice vinegar is not like regular vinegar. The way it’s made makes it much less acidic. It usually has a mild and slightly sweet flavor, with some acid residue from traditional vinegar.

There is more than one type of rice vinegar. Different types also have different colors and flavors.

Here are the types of rice vinegar:

• white rice vinegar
• red rice vinegar
• black rice vinegar

Of these, black is the mildest flavored option, but has more of a smoky-sweet flavor.

It is not considered a mild flavor like white and red. There are rice wine vinegar options as well, but they fall into different categories as well.

Rice vinegar has absolutely no alcohol. If it has a slight alcohol content, it is extremely low. Any residual alcohol content will be lost on cooking.

Rice vinegar is also usually not gluten-free. Many rice vinegar products use wheat as part of the mix. Look at the label.

Rice vinegar contains more sugar than mirin, but sugar doesn’t make it sweeter. The end result is something slightly sweet with a bit of a tangy taste.

Rice vinegar is rarely used as a seasoning on its own. It can be made into a dipping sauce or some kind of seasoning, but its sour taste doesn’t make it ideal to use on its own.

In Chinese dipping sauces, you can find it mixed with lime juice, sesame, ginger, sugar, and soy.

When it comes to culinary uses, rice vinegar can be used on meat, but it is often mixed with other things for a marinade. Rice vinegar is used more for soups, seafood, and noodles.

The main ingredients of rice vinegar are fermented rice, water, salt, and added sugar. Some manufacturers may add other sweeteners instead of sugar, such as high fructose corn syrup. The sodium levels of rice vinegar are relatively low.

When you use this type of vinegar in cooking, you get all the savory flavors without the abundance of salt and sodium.

Rice Vinegar Uses

The best use of rice vinegar is in the kitchen. We’ve mentioned before that it’s not something that tastes good by itself, just like you wouldn’t drink apple cider vinegar by itself.

Although not as acidic as vinegar, it is a vinegar-based product and therefore much better when mixed with things to create strong flavors in a combined dish or sauce.

Rice vinegar is used primarily in Asian dishes, but it has other uses as well.

Here are some foods that go great with rice vinegar:

• stir fry
• noodles (lo mein)
• Salad dressing
• Fruit and vegetable dishes
• dipping sauces
• Rice for sushi
• Fried rice
• sesame chicken
• Cucumber salad
• glazed salmon
• Sauce for meatballs or egg rolls
• soba noodles

These are just some of the dishes that use rice vinegar in their recipes. There are also many other options.

Also, you can use rice vinegar for some cleaning projects. It is not abrasive, but it is a strong cleaning solution. Mixes with water to clean.

You can use rice vinegar to clean countertops and sinks or to scrub the floor. It is not a complete substitute for white distilled vinegar for cleaning.

mirin

Mirin is considered a seasoning, but it is also very useful in cooking.

It is mostly used in Japanese cuisine, but is also popular in many other Asian dishes.

Mirin is more like rice wine. It is comparable to sake in some ways, but it has less alcohol and more sugar.

When mirin is brewed, the sugar it contains is actually a natural part of the fermentation process.

It turns out very sweet, but no sugar is actually added to the ingredients.

There are 3 main types of mirin:

• hon mirin
• shio mirin
• shin mirin

If you’re looking for “real” mirin, hon mirin is your answer, but beware of vendors trying to market mirin-like condiments as hon mirin.

Shio mirin is very similar to true mirin, but has significantly less alcohol. The mirin has an alcohol content of 14%. If you use it in a sauce or in a cooked dish, the alcohol escapes.

In some culinary practices, cooks boil mirin before using it, including when making sauces, to reduce the alcohol it contains.

Mirin is used to enhance the natural flavors of a dish, but it can also be used as a seasoning, or even a drink, on its own.

Mirin is often used as a dipping sauce for sushi rolls. Adds a naturally sweet flavor that enhances the salty flavors of the seaweed.

Mirin is very good for seasoning meat and seafood. Its natural sugar content is 45%, so the meat will also be tender.

The alcohol content of mirin enhances the flavor and texture of any dish. It is very popular for umami uses. It highlights the delicious smell of the meat and also gives it a nice glaze.

Compared to rice vinegar, mirin tastes sweeter, but there is no added sugar. Actually, rice vinegar adds sugar to your ingredients. Mirin is made from water, rice, salt, and natural fructose/glucose from fermentation.

Mirin does not usually contain gluten. It is made with specifically fermented rice and the rice is gluten free.

However, keep an eye on the labels because some distributors add malt or wheat to their mirin mixes, which could cause it to contain gluten.

Mirin contains quite a bit of salt, almost 3 times more than rice vinegar. However, the sodium content is still relatively low and nothing to worry about.

mirin uses

When it comes to cooking, mirin is often used to marinate meat, make a dipping sauce, or flavor stir-fries.

In short, mirin is a Japanese cooking wine, which is one of the most notable differences between mirin and rice vinegar.

Mirin can be incredibly useful in the kitchen. It can add delicious flavor to things that might never have been considered. Although it is a Japanese product, it has many uses, even when you are not making Japanese cuisine.

Once you’ve tried a few uses with mirin, you may find that it’s a staple in your kitchen that you just can’t do without. Everything you prepare will be sweet and tender. It is the best way to give your dishes a rich umami flavor.

If you’re not familiar with the term umami, it’s a category for a specific taste. You hear things described as sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Umami is in its own category. It is best described as salty, but with hints of sweet.

Mirin usually has a slightly syrupy texture. It is slightly thick compared to rice vinegar. It is widely used to prepare teriyaki dishes.

Here are some great recipe ideas for using mirin. 

• steamed seafood
• Steamed vegetables
• Japanese Fusion Dumplings
• Sushi dipping sauce
• Grilled Fish Glaze
• glaze for steaks
• teriyaki sauces
• soups
• Marinated green beans
• braised short ribs
• stir fry
• Udon or soba noodles
• marinated fried chicken
• Curry
• various salad mixes
• Skewers with marinade

As you can see, mirin can be used in many different ways.

Its flavor is sweet and tends to bring out the natural salty flavors of many meats. It’s great with noodles and dipping sauce, and can even be used on its own. However, mirin really stands out with meat.

You can make marinades or sauces to baste the meat. It’s best to make some kind of sauce that cooks with the meat, as the natural sugars will make the meat incredibly tender and flavorful.

You won’t go wrong!

Rice Vinegar vs. Mirin - Final Comparison

We’ve covered a lot of ground here. It is quite apparent that although rice vinegar and mirin are sometimes used for the same types of dishes, they are actually very different in the end.

Both are a liquid product that is usually used in the form of a sauce. That’s where the similarities really end.

Rice vinegar does not contain alcohol. Although it is sweet, it also tastes a bit sour.

Rice vinegar is not good on its own. It is mixed with other ingredients to make tasty sauces. These sauces can be dipping sauces or meat sauces.

The most common use for rice vinegar sauce is for noodles. Rice vinegar is used in Asian dishes, especially noodles. It can also be used for light cleaning needs.

Instead, mirin is a Japanese cooking wine. It contains alcohol (about 14%), which can be cooked or boiled to extract it.

Mirin can be used on its own as a dipping sauce. It is used to make things umami (sweet and salty).

Mirin doesn’t have much use outside of the kitchen. What it does do is make the meat incredibly tender and delicious, and it makes the perfect marinade for any type of meat.

You can use rice vinegar as a substitute for mirin if you don’t have it or have a hard time finding it. However, you should know that they are not really the same.

Related questions

We hope you found this guide on rice vinegar vs. mirin a valuable and informative resource.

Although these two products are slightly similar, they have many differences that set them apart and the end results are different when used.

We invite you to take a look at the following question and answer section for additional information that you may also find useful.

Does rice vinegar taste like white vinegar?

As a vinegar-based product, rice vinegar will have that familiar taste. Other than that though, it’s quite different from white vinegar. Rice vinegar is much sweeter, with only a slight hint of acidity, while white vinegar is quite acidic.

Is rice vinegar the best substitute for mirin?

If you’re in a pinch, you can substitute rice vinegar for the mirin.

However, you may find that rice wine vinegar or a sweet Marsala wine are better substitutes. You can also substitute dry sherry or dry white wine for similar effects.

Can you get drunk on mirin?

Mirin is used primarily for cooking. When cooking it, the alcohol is reduced or eliminated. However, we have already said that mirin naturally contains approximately 14% alcohol.

This alcohol can be cooked or boiled. However, in some Japanese homes, mirin is consumed as an alcoholic beverage. With such a high alcohol content, it is certainly possible to get drunk on it.