(ほん)みりん

ほんみりん
noun
true mirin; authentic mirin
1. true mirin; authentic mirin (contains alcohol)
Genuine mirin made by fermenting glutinous rice and rice koji with shochu. Contains about 14% alcohol, distinguishing it from low-alcohol mirin-style seasonings.
(ほん)みりんを使(つか)う。
I use true mirin.
(ほん)みりんは()りと(ふか)(あま)みを()す。
True mirin produces glaze and a deep sweetness.
(ほん)みりんはアルコールを(ふく)むので、料理(りょうり)(はじ)めに(くわ)えて煮切(にき)ることが(おお)い。
Since true mirin contains alcohol, it's often added at the start of cooking and boiled to evaporate the alcohol.

Distinguished from みりん(ふう)調味料(ちょうみりょう) (mirin-style seasoning), which contains little or no alcohol and is cheaper. (ほん)みりん is treated as an alcoholic beverage in Japan and is sold in the liquor section.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • (ほん)みりんを(くわ)える: to add true mirin
  • (ほん)みりんで()る: to simmer with true mirin
  • (ほん)みりんの()り: the glaze produced by true mirin

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • みりん(ふう)調味料(ちょうみりょう): mirin-style seasoning — low-alcohol substitute, milder flavor
  • 料理酒(りょうりしゅ): cooking sake — adds depth but lacks sweetness